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Building Safer Stairs

Uniformity for Safer Stairways Ensuring uniformity on rise and run measurements is one of the easiest ways to prevent trips and falls. Safe stairways are very consistent across rise and run measurements from top to bottom. Framing squares and stair gauges are helpful tools that can be used to cut stringers with precision. Users rely on muscle memory when navigating stairs so consistency is key when constructing safe stairs. DIMENSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CODE COMPLIANT STAIRS Having adequate width on a stairway is a crucial safety element and one of the first design considerations. Proper stairway width allows for safe passage while carrying items like laundry or navigating stairs in the dark.  Clear width should be no less than 36″ wide above the handrail. Dimensional considerations must also account for finish width when there are railings on both sides of the stairs and can be challenging in small lofts, condos, or apartments where space is at a premium.  Code Reference – Stairways must be at least 36 inches (914 mm) wide above the handrail and 31½ inches (787 mm) at or below one handrail, or 27 inches (698 mm) with handrails on both side Guardrail Considerations for Safer Stairs Guardrails prevent falls from stairways and landings. Baluster style guardrails are the time tested and economical choice however modern designs like cable railings and glass panels are much more popular; especially in high end homes. Both cable and glass railings systems can be utilized for safe stairways. The strength and durability of these systems makes them some of the safest guardrail options for stairs.  When are guardrails required on stairs?   Any time a landing or stairway is higher than 30″ from finished grade a guardrail is required. The minimum height for a guardrail is 36″. Constructing a safe landing with a guardrail is a good idea on longer and multi transitional stairways. Landings with guardrails propose resting point that is level and should also mirror the width of the stairs at minimum.  CODE REFERENCE FOR GUARDRAILS: Guardrails ARE required for open sides of stairways or landings more than 30 inches ( <30 mm) above the floor or grade below Additional Stair Safety Renovations Our team of professionals at SDCR assists our customers with stair railing designs and code compliant products for safe stairs. Here are some recommendations from our sales and installation pros: -Visual Contrast- Using contrasting colors or products on stair nosings and railing components can improve visibility. For example a dark colored steel railing post with light wood-tone handrail. –Lighting- Strip lights on risers or overhead light fixtures, post lights, and accent lighting can enhance convenience and safety on stairs. Stair lights add a cool factor to any build.  -Child Safety- Installing gates at top and bottom of stairs in homes with young children is a great safety measure. Tight spacing on barriers and sturdy construction is a must.  Using Pro’s for Professional Results Some projects are great candidates for our DIY products and services. However, in many cases, stairways can be complex and also require a professional contractor to achieve the best results. For custom stairs,  or out of the box applications- Our preferred contractors at San Diego Cable Railings have installed hundreds of stainless steel cable and glass railing systems on stairways all over California. Visit the QUOTE REQUEST form for a free estimate on our popular stainless cable railing and glass railing systems. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A QUOTE FROM OUR SALES TEAM! Glass Railing Codes, Modern Deck Railings, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Building Safer Stairs MavenMay 19, 2025 Glass Railing Codes, Modern Deck Railings, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Glass Spigots and Stanchions Code Compliance MavenApril 29, 2025 Laminated glass panel railing codes Laminated Glass Panel Railing Code Requirements MavenApril 9, 2025 curved railings Radius Railings MavenMarch 22, 2025 california handrail code California Handrail Code MavenMarch 5, 2025 Browse More Posts Add Your Heading Text Here

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glass spigots

Glass Spigots and Stanchions Code Compliance

Are Glass Spigots Code Compliant? Glass spigot style posts are widely used in frameless glass railing applications. They can be made code compliant as long as they meet load and deflection requirements.  Spigots and stanchions alike need to be anchored to a rigid substrate with ample embedment and at times will require the supplement of a top rail or additional glass clamps to add stability. Whether you are replacing your deck or retrofitting an old railing system, there are decisions to be made and possibly retrofitting of an old substrate prior to installing a new frameless glass railing.   GLASS PANELS, BASE SHOE FRAMELESS GLASS, AND STANCHION MOUNTS- The minimum thickness for framed glass railing panels is 1/4″. Thicker glass is required for frameless glass and spigot or clamp style mounts. 3/8″, 1/2″ tempered and in certain situations laminated glass panels are necessary. Stanchions are compliant for semi-frameless glass systems if the achieve the support of required loads- 200 pound concentrated load. They can be custom, but must be well connected and made from durable materials. In commercial applications they may need to resist prying forces. Common applications for these systems include: decks balconies stairways wind screens Spigot Material Choices for Corrosion Resistance Marine grade stainless steel railing posts, spigots, clips, and stanchions are our recommended products for maximum corrosion resistance.  Coastal railing applications almost exclusively utilize T316 marine grade stainless steel and powder coated stainless steel products. SDCR railing posts and stanchions are made from domestic stainless steel. Domestic stainless steel is a  high quality low maintenance option for all modern railing systems. Cost Comparison- Glass Spigots vs. Cable Railings: A Glass Spigot Railing package will run a higher price point in most cases than a cable railing system. Interior glass railings are often a custom endeavor to accommodate angles, acquire proper mounting, and also preserve a modern aesthetic. Cable railing systems can be constructed less expensively than glass spigot railings and comparably cost out with any welded railing system or package on the market of similar quality. Consumers should consider if wind break is necessary and whether or not they have the support structure or the ability to add support for a successful spigot mounted railing prior to purchasing any products.  California Coastal Railings Our frameless glass deck railing systems can be found up and down the California coast; performing in some of the toughest environmental conditions. We offer fast turn around times for stainless steel railing posts, glass railing posts, and frameless/semi-frameless glass railings. Customers in California can utilize our preferred railing installers for a one stop sales/installation service. If you would like to learn more about the best material choices for glass spigot posts or framed glass railings, contact one of our sales team members.  DIY Glass Railings vs. Contractor Installation Some projects are great candidates for DIY products and services. For more custom or out of the box applications- Our preferred contractors at San Diego Cable Railings have installed hundreds of stainless steel cable and glass railing systems all over California. Visit the QUOTE REQUEST form for a free estimate on our popular stainless cable railing and glass railing systems. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A QUOTE FROM OUR SALES TEAM! Glass Railing Codes, Modern Deck Railings, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Glass Spigots and Stanchions Code Compliance MavenApril 29, 2025 Laminated glass panel railing codes Laminated Glass Panel Railing Code Requirements MavenApril 9, 2025 curved railings Radius Railings MavenMarch 22, 2025 california handrail code California Handrail Code MavenMarch 5, 2025 Cable Railing News Modern Gate Designs MavenFebruary 4, 2025 Browse More Posts Add Your Heading Text Here

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Modern Deck Railing Ideas

Modern Railings vs. Traditional Style Whether you are replacing your deck or retrofitting an old railing system, there are considerations to be made about style and material choices for new railings. Traditional deck railings and the commonly used “wood spindle” and “picket” designs can be replaced with modern choices like horzontal railing systems and panel designs. Modern material choices like aluminum, stainless steel, and composites are rapidly replacing traditional wood railings. Hybrid railings and pre fabricated kit systems are fast installing and easy to source in most places.  A multitude of options does however come with the caveat of difficulty when choosing your new railing system. For this we offer our favorite choices when installing a new modern deck railing system. SAN DIEGO CABLE RAILINGS MOST POPULAR MODERN DECK RAILING SYSTEMS: GLASS PANELS, BASE SHOE, AND POST CLIP- Glass panel railings make for an attractive and durable exterior railing system that is perfect for coastal decks. These systems can be installed in a number of fashions from traditional wood post frames, to steel post and clip installations. For high end installations and customers that want ultimate transparency; a base shoe cleat can suspend the panels without need for a top railing. STAINLESS STEEL CABLE – Cable railings are well known for strength and durability, as well as superior transparency when compared to traditional deck railing systems. They are easy to install, attractive and modern railing systems. Style options and color choices for cable railing systems are endless and hybrid steel, wood, and composite options can be easily incorporated to sturdily frame for stainless cable infill.    Modern Deck Railing Corrosion Resistance Both cable and glass railing systems offer extreme corrosion resistance when compared to traditional picket railing systems. Maintenance is minimal in both cases; minor annual cleaning and inspection is required to keep these railings in tip top condition. If we must rate one or the other; in most cases the cable railings system will require less maintenance than glass solely because of the need for cleaning the glass panels. When combining either infill (glass, cable) with a sturdy stainless steel frame, the railing system will function for decades and maintain the beautiful aesthetic with minimal change. Our preferred material choice for corrosion resistance is domestic stainless steel which outperforms aluminum in coastal applications.  Cost Comparisons for SDCR Deck Railing Choices: Cable railing systems can be constructed comparably to just about any railing system or package on the market of similar quality. Consumers should consider the longevity and ease of maintenance when comparing cheaper options that may fade, crack, or lose structural integrity. When compared to glass panel railings, the cable railing systems for modern decks will almost always be less expensive. Once again, we would still recommend exploration of durability and ease of maintenance when making these type of comparisons. A lower up front cost base does not always result in a lower overall cost, and definitely does not factor possible call backs, or early replacement of inferior railing types.    California Coastal Railing Systems Our modern deck railing systems can be found up and down the California coast; performing in some of the toughest environmental conditions. If you want to learn more about the best material choices for coastal railings, contact one of our sales team members.  DIY Deck Railings vs. Contractor Installation Our preferred contractors at San Diego Cable Railings have installed hundreds of stainless steel cable and glass railing systems all over California. We also offer a multitude of options for DIY installers from hand crimp cable hardware to swageless cable rail products.  If you have questions about aluminum and stainless steel railing systems feel free to give us a call or visit the QUOTE REQUEST form for a free estimate on our popular stainless cable railing and glass railing systems. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A QUOTE FROM OUR SALES TEAM! Modern Deck Railings, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Modern Deck Railing Ideas MavenOctober 21, 2024 100% American made Steel, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Railing Comparison MavenSeptember 30, 2024 Cable Railing News Stair Railing Ideas MavenSeptember 6, 2024 Safe Deck Railings Pony Wall Railing Renovations MavenAugust 20, 2024 kids and cable railings, Safe Deck Railings Safer Deck Railings MavenJuly 31, 2024 Browse More Posts Add Your Heading Text Here

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3 Easy Ways to Modernize Your Deck

If your outdoor living space is looking a bit drab, it may be time for a facelift. A structurally sound deck may only require some regular maintenance or material upgrades for a new and updated look. Today’s modern materials and building techniques can remove years from your decks appearance without the cost of a complete overhaul. Here are 3 easy ways to modernize your deck without breaking the bank: Exploring Finish Options and Construction Techniques for a Modern Deck Remodel   #1-Deck Refinishing- In many cases an older deck just needs a facelift. Wooden decks tend to lose their luster over time becoming weathered and thus looking older. The least expensive and probably quickest update is to clean and refinish your deck. In addition to a clean space looking better; it will actually extend the life of your investment. Leaving environmental contaminants on flat surfaces greatly expedites the amount of wear. UV rays bake on dirt,  so try to keep your deck clean with periodic maintenance or hire a pro. A professional refinisher may charge a flat rate for a smaller deck or in the neighborhood of $2.00-$4.00 per square foot for a wooden deck refinish.  #2 Replacing the Decking- If the structural bones of the deck are good then replacing just the deck boards may be an option to achieve a more updated finish. Exotic hardwood species like Ipe‘ and Cumaru are very popular and durable alternatives to older wooden decks. Composite decking also offers a more modern twist on deck boards by offering a ton of color options, faux hardwoods and hidden fastening systems. Both hardwoods and composites can last upwards of 30 years so the cost of these materials is justified by the quality. Hardwood and Composite boards can run anywhere from $2.50 – $6.00 per lineal foot of 6″ material  which we need to multiply by 2 in order to get an estimated square foot cost of $5-$12 per square. In addition we need to factor the cost of screws or a hidden fastener system which can add about $1.00-$2.00 dollars per square foot. #3 Installing New Deck Railings- Adding a cable railing system or glass railing to an older deck will remove decades from its appearance. If the deck has street exposure it will likely take decades off of the appearance of the house as well. Cable railings are modern and sleek; in line with the most utilized style of many newer buildings and developments. Glass railings provide transparency and windbreak with the look of modern finishes like brushed stainless or aluminum. Both railing options provide the ability to add extras like LED lighting for a finishing touch.  One smart pro tip for any deck railing replacement project is to try and perform any refinishing, or deck board replacement prior to installing the new railings. By following this order you can avoid any possible damage to the new railings and also make each individual facet more streamlined.  A typical order of operations for a more extensive deck remodel would call for any removal and repairs first, followed by a new deck surface and new railings. San Diego Cable Railings provides sales and installation services for cable railings and glass railings up and down the coast of California. We also offer our cable railing products to DIY customers across the country. If you have questions about ways to modernize your deck our pros can help. Give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page today.      

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About SDCR

San Diego Cable Railings provides high quality cable railing systems to contractors and DIY installers nationwide. Our products are made in house based in San Diego, CA. – built to withstand harsh conditions and coastal environments.

What We Do

Cable Railing
Glass Railing
Gates and Fencing
Hardware Products
Installation Services

Contact Info

1365 N JOHNSON AVE #117 EL CAJON, CA 92020 (Visits by appointment only)

Shop@sandiegocablerailings.com

(888) 389-0003

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