Cable railing systems are the new normal for décor and aesthetics. People from every corner of the globe are making use of professionals or installing the system via cable railing kits for wood posts themselves to add to the value of their homes. But wood railings can take a toll on your pocket since they need regular maintenance where you will need to paint the railings or remove sand, stains, and strip of any sort of other substances.
If you are still moving forward with the idea of installing a wood railing cable system at your place, here are some common errors that you may want to keep in mind for an easy installation process.
Common mistakes with wood frames
Ensure that the frame is rigid enough
One should always know that wood frames have to carry 200 to 300 pounds of load for every cable rail. This equates to almost 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of tension for a general installation. This load is not felt usually unless at the very end when the cables are finally tightened.
If the frame is weak or not up to the mark, it can fail or fall down badly. To prevent something similar from happening in your scenario, try to ensure that the top rail is rigid and strong and has lumber of at least 2x6 inches.
All of the posts are fastened with the top rail securely so as to take care of the bowing or the lifting that is caused due to cable tension. On top of this, also make sure that you have attached a bare minimum of 1x4 inch wood blocking just under the top rail between posts. This sub-rail assembly simply reduces and resists the tension that gets placed on the cable by the posts.
Place the cables at a proper distance
Meeting the code and safety needs with the use of a cable deck railing kit should be the priority at all times. This is why the standard measure for the distance between cables is measured keeping in mind that a 4-inch sphere shouldn't pass between the cables.
Also, to account for the half-inch that a cable can deflect when pressure is applied, no cable should be more than 3 inches apart. No matter how strong the frame actually is, if it is more than 3 inches, it can lead to consequences.
Keep the posts at an appropriate distance
Posts play a key role in the stability of the whole frame, especially in the corners and the end posts where most of the cable tension is seen. Make sure that the end woods are a minimum of 4x4 inches and for softer wood types such as cedar, one may need to have a bare minimum of 6x6 inches to ensure that they don't experience bowing.
It is common knowledge that spacers don't carry that much tension since the cables pass right through them without termination, making it easy for users to size them in accordance with their needs to support the top rail. This also helps in meeting the lateral loads that are mandatory and required by building codes.
A minimum distance of 3 feet should be there to reduce deflection to a bare minimum in case the cables are forced apart. Also, one needs to ensure that the posts are fastened to the deck structure in a safe manner. In case you are making use of cable end fittings that are to be drilled through the end posts, make sure to leave 3 to 4 inches of space from the face of the wall to allow space for the attachment of fillings.
The stair railing in your home is more than just a way to get from a floor to floor.
It’s a way to show off a major focal point and match it to your interior décor.
Always remember that you can retrofit your railing, add elements and customize your staircase to create a look that fits your eye and stands above the rest.
You can change up your railing quickly and less expensively than you would think.
