CableRail Kits

Easy Installation Steps

Below are eight easy steps to installing our Standard CableRail assemblies. For more details, download the instructions for Standard Assemblies in Wood or Metal Frames.

Measure, mark, and drill holes in all posts.
 

Insert Protector Sleeves (wood or composite sleeved posts) or Grommets/Isolation Bushings (metal posts) at necessary locations.

Insert the Threaded Terminal into one end termination post and secure with a Snug-Grip® Washer Nut.

Lace the free end of the cable through the intermediate posts. We recommend using our lacing needle for smoother threading through post holes and to prevent cable strands from catching on the sides of the post holes during installation.

Lace the free end of the cable through the remaining posts, remove the lacing needle, and slide on a Quick-Connect®SS fitting.
 

Pull the cable through the Quick-Connect®SS fitting to remove the excess slack in the line.

Tighten the Snug-Grip® Washer Nuts to adjust the final tension in the line.
 

Trim the excess threads on the Threaded Terminal and excess cable behind the Quick-Connect®SS.

Snap on decorative End Caps over the exposed ends of the Quick-Connect®SS fittings and Snug-Grip® Washer Nuts.

Cables can either terminate or run through posts.

Wood posts

Terminating

Continuous

Single pipe

Terminating

Continuous

Be sure to offset drill holes at least 1/2” if you choose to have cables terminating at a single wood or pipe post.

Double pipe

Terminating

Continuous

Angle iron

Terminating

Continuous

Double flat bar

Terminating

Continuous

Important Notes

Since building codes vary by state, county, and city, our recommendations may not comply with code requirements in all areas. Always consult with your local building department before starting your project.

CableRail cable assemblies and fittings are designed for use on railings, fences, and trellises only. They should never be used for lifting, hanging, or high load applications.

Frames need to support the tension of properly installed cables

They need to be designed and built strong enough to support a load of at least 300 lbs for each cable. Frames can also be designed to use cables more efficiently, thereby reducing the total quantity of cable assemblies needed and the overall cost.

Below are some basic guidelines to help you prepare railing frames for cable infill. We also encourage you to carefully review the cable and fitting detail page and installation pages, and if you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-888-2418 for assistance.

Minimum sizes for all corner and end posts

4x4 WOOD
3-1/2" wide, 3-1/2" thick

Note: softer woods may require larger post sizes, especially with 42-inch high railings

The Basic Frame Design Roll your mouse over a number to see details.

Spacing from the walls:
Always set end posts 3" to 4" away from the house/wall face to allow access for attaching cable end fittings.

End posts:
Securely bolt or fasten end posts to deck joists and use minimum 4" x 4" wood.

Top rail:
Always include a strong, rigid top rail that is securely fastened to all posts. Minimum recommended size is 2" x 6" wood. Minimum railing height 42" or as per code.

Cable spacing:
Maximum 3" apart (12 cables)

Maximum post spacing:
Space all posts and vertical spacers (see below) a maximum of 3 feet apart to minimize any deflection that may occur if the cables are ever forced apart.

Intermediate posts:
Minimum recommended size 4" x 4" wood. Securely bolt or fasten all posts to deck joists.

Wood blocking:
Underneath the top rail attach minimum 1" x 4" size wood blocking between posts to provide additional lateral reinforcement.

Double corner posts:
If possible use double corner posts to allow cable to run continuously around corners without stopping (see single post option below). Securely bolt or fasten posts to deck joists, and use minimum
4" x 4" size wood.

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And Some Other Options Roll your mouse over a number to see details.

Bottom rails (optional):
Recommend using 2" x 4" size wood pieces spaced no more than 4" (or as per code) above the deck surface.

Vertical spacers (optional):
Slender spacers may be used instead of some of the larger intermediate posts to achieve a more open railing design. These are non-structural members and are only intended to maintain cable spacing and minimize deflection. Use 2" x 2" wood strips, 1" metal tubing, 1/4" flat bar, or our Intermediate Pickets and attach to the top rail wood blocking and either the foot rail, deck surface or joists.

Cable spacing:
Maximum 3" apart (10 cables)

Single corner post (optional):
Cables must be terminated at the corners if single posts are used. Since the cable end fittings will be crossing one another inside the post, offset the drill holes by at least 1/2". Minimum 4" x 4" size wood.

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Wood Railing Frames : The Details

Cable assemblies are strung horizontally and may either be terminated at corner posts or run continuously through the corners. Details of these conditions are shown below:

Running Cables Continuously
Through The Corners

Terminating Cables At Corners

Stair Post Termination -
Threaded Terminal Ends

Drill angled holes and use beveled washers.
Part #3799 for 1/8" or 3/16" Threaded Terminal.
Part #3792 for 1/4-in. Threaded Terminal.

Stair Post Termination - QuickConnect-SS® Fittings

Drill angled holes and use beveled washers.
Part #3792 for 1/8" QuickConnect-SS® fitting.
Part #3798 for 3/16" QuickConnect-SS® fitting.
Part #3798 for 1/4" QuickConnect-SS® fitting.

Protector Sleeves

Insert sleeve #3210 (for 1/8" & 3/16" cable - not 1/4") in all holes where the cable enters at an angle and would have a tendency to cut into the wood or composite sleeved posts (e.g. stair transition posts or the outside faces of double corner posts).

Cover Panels

Counterbore Diagram

All decks and railings are unique; therefore, slight variations in the installation procedures and frame designs may be necessary depending on your specific conditions. If you need assistance or have questions please give us a call at 1-800/888-2418 or 1-510/893-9473.

Frames need to support the tension of properly installed cables

They need to be designed and built strong enough to support a load of at least 300 lbs for each cable. Frames can also be designed to use cables more efficiently, thereby reducing the total quantity of cable assemblies needed and the overall cost. Below are some basic guidelines to help you prepare railing frames for cable infill.

We also encourage you to carefully review the cable and fitting detail page and installation pages, and if you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-888-2418 for assistance.

Minimum sizes for all corner and end posts

The Basic Frame Design Roll your mouse over a number to see details.

Spacing from the walls:
Always set end posts 3" to 4" away from the house/wall face to allow access for attaching cable end fittings.

End posts:
Securely bolt or fasten end posts to deck joists and use minimum post size noted above.

Top rail:
Always include a strong, well secured top rail in the frame design with size determined by local code requirements. Minimum height 42" or as per code.

Cable spacing:
Maximum 3" apart (12 cables)

Maximum post spacing:
Space all posts and vertical spacers (see below) a maximum of 3 feet apart to minimize any deflection that may occur if the cables are ever forced apart.

Intermediate posts:
Size all intermediate posts as required for top rail support strength or for code.

Double corner posts:
If possible use double corner posts to allow cable to run continuously around corners without stopping (see single post option below). Securely bolt or fasten posts to deck joists, and use minimum post sizes noted above.

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And Some Other Options Roll your mouse over a number to see details.

Bottom rails (optional):
Bottom rails should be spaced no more than 4" above the deck surface (or as per code) and should be sized as needed for support strength or design requirements.

Vertical spacers (optional):
Slender spacers may be used instead of some of the larger intermediate posts to achieve a more open railing design. These should be a minimum of 1" wide x 1/4" thick flat bar and can be welded to the top and bottom rail or, if the bottom rails are not used, attach directly to the deck surface or rim joist. Space all posts and vertical spacers a maximum of 3 feet apart.

Cable spacing:
Maximum 3" apart (10 cables)

Single corner post (optional):
Cables may be run either continuously through a single corner or terminated (see corner post details below). Securely bolt or fasten posts to joists or deck surface and use minimum post sizes noted at the top of this page.

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Metal Railing Frames : The Details

Cable assemblies are strung horizontally and may either be terminated at corner posts or run continuously through the corners. Details of these conditions are shown below:

Running Cables Continuously Through The Corners

The detail for square tubing would be the same as that shown for round pipe.

Terminating Cables At Corners

Stair Post Termination -
Threaded Terminal Ends

Drill angled holes and use beveled washers, #3799 for 1/8" or 3/16" Threaded Terminals. Use beveled washers #3792 for 1/4" Threaded Terminals.

Stair Post Termination -
Quick-Connect® SS Fittings

Drill angled holes and use beveled washers #3792 for 1/8" Quick-Connect® SS fitting; #3798 for 3/16" Quick-Connect® SS fitting; or #3798 for 1/4" Quick-Connect® SS fittings.

Adding Rubber Grommets

Rubber grommets #3213 (for 1/8" cable only) may be inserted into the 1/4" holes on tubular posts to add a finish detail for intermediate posts only - not for corner or end posts.

All decks and railings are unique; therefore, slight variations in the installation procedures and frame designs may be necessary depending on your specific conditions. If you need assistance or have questions please give us a call at 1-800/888-2418 or 1-510/893-9473.

Quick-Connect® fittings make cable projects quicker and easier than ever

Each assembly comes with a Threaded Terminal fitting pre-attached to one end and a field installed Quick-Connect®SS fitting for the other end. Simply secure the Threaded Terminal to one end post, lace the free end of the cable through the remaining posts, slip on a Quick-Connect®SS, tension the line, trim the excess, and finish with decorative end caps.

Assembly Options

Our Standard Cable Assemblies come with Quick-Connect® fitting, threaded terminal, cable, washers, and Snug-Grip® washer nut. *The colored and stainless steel caps are available options for finishing off the installed assembly.