Cable Railing. Built for salt air.

Yes, when it is engineered. The Florida Building Code limits the opening between guard members, so cable spacing is set to prevent a sphere of the prohibited diameter passing through. Meeting that reliably depends on correct tension and on intermediate posts spaced closely enough that the cables cannot be spread apart by hand. We engineer post spacing and tension together rather than treating the cable as a trim item.

Properly engineered cable holds tension. Sagging almost always traces to two installation errors: posts spaced too far apart, or terminal posts not stiff enough to resist the accumulated tension of every cable pulling on them. Runs are tensioned to specification at installation, and a light check in the first season is normal.

316 contains molybdenum, which is what gives it real resistance to chloride pitting. In Florida salt air, 304 can develop rust bloom and surface pitting within a season. We specify 316 for cable, fittings, posts and every exposed fastener on coastal work.

Yes. On a raked run the cables follow the stair angle, which is one of the cleanest guards available on a floating staircase. Stair applications need particular attention at the terminal posts, because every cable transfers its tension into them at an angle.

Very little. A periodic fresh-water rinse in coastal locations and an occasional wipe-down is generally all that is needed. There is no painting or refinishing cycle, which is a large part of why cable is popular on exposed decks and waterfront terraces.

Glass gives the clearest view and costs the most. Cable gives close to the same openness at a lower number and handles long runs and corners better. Rod is quieter than cable, needs no tensioning, and reads warmer indoors. We will price more than one on the same drawing so you can compare.