Deck Railings
The railing is the part of the deck you lean on and the part you look through, so it is worth choosing rather than defaulting to. We fit cable and aluminum as part of a new deck or a full replacement, which means the posts and framing are built for the railing from the start.
- A railing that stays solid when you lean on it
- Cable keeps the view open, aluminum keeps the upkeep low
- Built to the guard height and spacing your project calls for
Why the Old Railing Doesn't Go Back On
When we replace a deck, the railing that comes off is almost never worth putting back. This is what we usually find on it:
- It moves or flexes when you lean against it
- The posts feel loose at the base, or the wood around the bolts has gone soft
- The gaps are wide enough that a small child could get through
- It is lower than the code now requires
- The fasteners have rusted, backed out, or gone missing
- You are tired of sanding and repainting it every couple of years
What Oregon Requires
Oregon's residential code requires a guard on any deck whose surface sits more than 30 inches above the ground. That guard has to be at least 36 inches tall, and the openings in it have to be small enough that a 4-inch ball will not pass through. The spacing rule is about keeping small children from slipping between the rails.
Those are general dimensions. Measurement, stair details and local requirements can change what applies to your deck.
We'll check the requirements for your railing and measure the finished work. If official approval is needed, your proposal will say who arranges it.
The Two Railings We Install
We fit cable and aluminum. Both are chosen for the same reason we build the decks we do — neither one asks you to sand or repaint it every couple of years.
Cable railing
Cable keeps more of the view open. It generally costs more than aluminum because the posts need to support the cable tension. We'll price the options for your deck.
Aluminum railing
Powder-coated aluminum usually needs less upkeep than wood railing. Wash it and check the posts once a year, following the maker's care instructions. It generally costs less than cable, though it blocks more of the view.
How the Install Goes
A railing is only as solid as what it bolts to, which is the reason we fit them on decks we build. The posts go in as part of the frame, sized and spaced for the railing you chose, instead of being worked around afterwards.
From there we fit the rails and either tension the cable or fit the aluminum panels. Post work is most of the job on a cable railing, which is why it costs what it does.
We measure the finished height and gaps against the design. On a new deck, that's part of our build checks. See Deck Building.
What Affects the Cost
- How many linear feet of railing the deck needs
- Cable or aluminum
- How many corners and posts are involved, which matters more for cable than aluminum
- Whether the stairs get railing too, since angled sections and landings take longer than straight runs
Common Questions
Can you replace just the railing and leave the rest of the deck?
That is not work we take on. We fit railings as part of a new deck or a full replacement, so the posts and framing are built for them. If your railing has gone loose, that is often the first thing you notice about tired framing underneath, and a new railing bolted to it is still a tired deck. If the rest of your deck is sound and the railing really is all you need, a handyman or a smaller outfit is the better call and we will say so.
Which costs less, cable or aluminum?
Aluminum generally costs less than cable. We'll price both for your deck so you can compare.
Do the cables loosen over time?
Cable tension needs checking and may need adjustment. Check it once a year and follow the system's care instructions. We'll show you what to look for.
Can children climb a cable railing?
Horizontal cables can be easier for children to climb than vertical rails. If you have small kids, let's discuss that before you choose.
Spend More Time Enjoying Your Yard
Tell us about your deck. We'll look at the space and explain the work in a written estimate. The visit is free, with no obligation to book.