A handrail is a safety requirement for any deck, landing, or stairway. However, this necessity doesn’t have to compromise the aesthetics of your space. With a cable handrail system or cable railing, you get the strength and durability you need while maintaining visual appeal, whether you and your team are gearing to build a minimalistic residential interior or an industrial workspace.

Composition of Cable Handrails

Handrails must adhere to a strict building code set by the International Code Council (ICC), as well as any state and local regulations. This is crucial for maintaining safety. Cable handrails, in line with these codes, are composed of several key components: cable railing infill, two end posts, a top rail, and additional support posts as needed to maintain tension.  

Posts and Top Rail

The posts and top rail of cable handrails can be crafted from a variety of materials, such as wood, composite, aluminum, and steel. However, carbon steel and stainless steel are highly recommended due to their strength and durability. Typically, both the posts and top rail are made from the same material to ensure consistent support and strength. However, a combination of materials, like wood railing and steel posts, can be used to create a unique look that still offers sufficient strength.

The top rail is the handrail, which, in some states, is required to be between 34″ and 38″ vertically so that it is the proper height for people to use it for support. This requirement may differ depending on local regulations, but it should never be taller than 42″ in compliance with the ICC building code.

Posts frame the rail system to provide the necessary tension for the cable infill threaded between the end posts. As required by building codes, additional support posts are spread throughout the rigid framework every four feet. These support posts, also known as intermediate posts, play a crucial role in maintaining the tension of the cables and preventing them from sagging. Holes are drilled into the support posts to guide the cable as it stretches from end post to end post.

Infill

The infill is the space between each post and the top rail and the landing or the top rail and bottom rail, the latter of which is optional unless using a vertical cable infill. The cable (also known as wire rope) used for the infill varies based on the manufacturer and the desired thickness for a given project, but generally, for cable railing, you want a rigid, stainless steel cable that does not stretch.

Coated cables may also be available, specially ordered with a PVC coating from select manufacturers in standard colors. This can add a spark of color to your handrail. However, when exposed to sunlight, the coating may deteriorate over time and tend to attract dirt and dust, making them harder to keep clean compared to their non-coated counterparts.

Fittings and tension receivers are used at the ends of the cables to tension them in sequence once all the cables have been installed. Crimp fittings and additional hardware may be required, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications for the materials used for the handrail system.

Horizontal

Horizontal cable infill is the most common infill used for cable rail systems. It provides minimal obstruction of view, making it great for outdoor decks and scenic landings. To install it, continuous cables, cut to the needed length, are threaded through intermediate posts and fitted to each end post. When properly installed, the cable infill should work together with the posts and railing so as not to allow a 4″ sphere to pass through.

Note: The end posts (or the posts to which the hardware is mounted) must be properly constructed so that when the cables are tensioned to loads of 225 lbs or more, deflection of the end posts will be minimized. Otherwise, the end posts will bend under the force of the tension and thus become unsightly and ineffective.

Ultra-tech (Client manufacturer, cropped image)

Vertical

Vertical infills are typically used either for style preference or in areas where local jurisdiction has prohibited horizontal infills due to their “ladder effect.” Vertical railing eliminates this effect because it is composed of shorter cables that are tensioned between the top and bottom rails instead of two end posts. 

Note: While the tension force in a vertical railing system is less than that in a horizontal railing, the top and bottom rails are subject to bend if there is inadequate post deflection. To prevent this, a rail brace (a thinner post or rod) should be used in place of every eighth cable to increase the structural stability of the rail system.

Conclusion

Building codes require handrails to follow certain regulations, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice visual appeal for safety. When properly constructed, cable handrail systems not only meet safety requirements but also enhance the space they are built for. They offer the strength and support required to ensure the safety of any landing or stairway, whether indoors or outdoors while adding a touch of inspiration to your design.