Cable railings or wire rope railings are safety rails that use horizontal or vertical cables in place of spindles, glass, mesh etc. for infill. Cable railings are often desired in place of traditional pickets to achieve nearly unobstructed views as the cable is much thinner than traditional pickets. It is also a more modern aesthetic and is often chosen for that reason. If you are interested in such railings, it’s high time to have a look at the ideas and find out some pros and cons to decide if you want to install them or not.
Pros
The view is preserved as your eyesight focuses beyond the cable rails toward the view, the cables trick the eye and disappear. Your interiors will look much more spacious because the cable railing is unobtrusive. Cable railings are also compatible with most, but not all, architectural styles.
Cable railings are easy to install, they won’t break the bank. The fittings and cables are made out of marine grade 316L stainless steel, so they are practically maintenance free and are sturdy enough to last a lifetime. Compared to other railing types such as wood that requires regular and extensive maintenance, cable railing systems is low-maintenance that when you add up the maintenance cost savings over the years, the total cost of ownership is dramatically lowered.
Cons
Such railings are a real hazard for families, especially with small children and pets, who may slip through cable. An idea that can partially solve the problem is install vertical cable railings instead of horizontal ones for more safety.
Indoor Ideas
Cable railing will easily turn your space into a chic modern one, it will eliminate all the borders and won’t prevent the spaces from merging into one. Vertical options may become an eye-catchy space partition, if you want that. Cable railing works great for many styles: modern, rustic, minimalist, industrial and so on.
A classic switchback staircase is made modern by integrating sleek cable railings.
A combination of metal and cable creates a railing that borders the staircase in this contemporary living space.
A powder-coated aluminum stair rail system visually expands the home's usable space.
05 all-metal bannister and cable railing.
Aluminum and stainless steel cable railing for a minimalist space.
Black aluminum interior staircase with a cable railing system.
Dark wood and cable railing with white steps look chic and modern.
Dark rustic wooden staircase with cable railing has a rough look.
Blackened steel posts, wood and cable railings that look unobtrusive.
Black steel posts, white wood and cable railing for a sleek modern look.
Classic white and dark wood staircase is made more modern with cable railings.
Combine the modern sleek look of cable railing with a wood and stainless steel baluster for a fully-customized look.
Light-colored floating stairs with metal and cable railing.
Light and warm-colored wooden staircase with black metal and neutral cable railing.
If your interior is industrial, you may go for pipes and cable railings.
Dark wood and cable railing.
Rustic stained wood staircase and railing with cables used just for a graphic and more modern look.
Walnut stairs with stainless steel cable rails and wooden posts has a modern yet rustic look.
Vertical cable railing gives a unique look to this staircase and separates it from the rest of the space.
Vertical cable railing for a statement in this modern space.
Steel cable railing staircase looks very modern and edgy yet cozy and natural.
Modern floating staircase with metal and vertical cable railings.
Ultra-modern yet a bit rustic light-colored reclaimed wood staircase with dark metal and cable railing.
Warmcolored wood staircase and wood and cable railing to give it a fresher modern look.
Warm wood staircase with metal posts, metal and cable railing, which loooks almost invisible.
Open modern staircase with wood, metal and cable railings and light-colored steps.
Natural wood and cable railing for a rustic home.
Modern wooden staircase with metal posts, wood and cable railing.
Modern whitewashed and dark wood staircase with white cable railing looks wow.
Outdoor Ideas
Use cable railing for your decks and backyards to maximize the view and not prevent yourself from seeing it while sitting. It will also make your outdoor spaces seem larger because it’s unobtrusive and of course a chic modern flavor is guaranteed. Go for steel or aluminum posts to make them more durable, wooden are less durable ones. Look at the ideas below to get inspired!
Aluminum posts and cable infill for the deck decor.
Cable railing is ideal for houses with a view not to prevent you from seeing it anyhow.
33 deck railing with posts and vertical cables.
Metal and cable railing to get maximum of the forest views.
Metal, wood and cable railings let the outdoor spaces merge and look bigger than they are.
Outdoor deck with warm-wood posts, cable railings.
Seaside deck with white wood and cable railing to enjoy the views at all levels.
Simple white posts and horizontal cable railing for a beachside cottage.
White wood posts and wood and cable railings for a cozy preppy look.