Whether you’re building a new deck or remodeling an existing one Keuka Studios offers a variety of cable railings systems for decks. There are six standard post styles to choose from and many accessories and materials available to suit your home and your style. Although we offer a standard variety of posts we have creative designers that have the ability to develop unique post styles for your cable railing system.
What is included with a cable railing system for decks?
When you’re deciding to purchase a cable railing system for your deck it is important to understand what is included with our system: -Design and rendering service. Unless your project is a simple, level rectangular deck, your probably going to need some custom-designed posts. During this process, we work this all out and can provide renderings showing optional styles and colors to help you visualize the finished project. We are particularly good at making your project look cohesive and elegant. Just look at our Deck Railing Gallery and I am sure you will agree. -The individual railing posts. There are different posts available for end posts, intermediate posts, and stair posts. All are available as either a surface, fascia, or under-mount configuration. – All the cables with fittings required to complete the project. These can be for 1/8th-inch or 3/16th-inch cables. 3/16th-inch cable is more common on commercial railing systems. -All mounting hardware for installation. 18-8 stainless steel is standard, and 316 stainless is optional (for coastal applications). -The top rail (optional) is available in wood, steel, or aluminum. -Keuka cable railing fittings including a fitting installation kit.
What accessories are available for my cable railing?
We offer a variety of additional accessories for cable railing systems that include: posts and rails, custom-designed to accommodate LED lighting. Escutcheon Plates to hide mounting hardware, and nut caps to hide hex lag screws. In addition, we can custom-design a matching gate for your project.
What styles of posts are available to choose from?
We offer 6 standard cable railing designs. The Keuka, Ithaca, Chicago, Tokyo, Kauai, and Prairie. Each style offers a different look and feel to complement your home’s style. We can also make a custom design where your imagination is the only limitation. Each post style can be purchased in a range of materials with associated costs relative to the material chosen. Available materials include Steel, Aluminum, and Stainless Steel. Available finishes are:
What types of finishes are available for metal deck railing posts?
Depending on the type of metal, the railing posts can be powder-coated, galvanized, galvanize with powder-coat, anodized, brushed, or polished.
Our signature Keuka railing post style has a curved profile and can be made to be fascia-mounted or surface mounted. This railing style beautifully complements architecture with curved roofs, decks, or balconies.
Ithaca Style Sleek Stainless Steel Deck Cable Railing System
The Ithaca-style cable railing has sleek thin posts to be the least obstructive to the view beyond. This railing can be surface-mounted or fascia-mounted or under-mounted. The Ithaca style railing looks sleek and streamlined on modern homes and blends simply into almost any architectural style.
Chicago Style Industrial Deck Railing Post
Unique to Keuka Studios the Chicago Style cable railing boasts an industrial edge. Our clients have installed this railing on modern and industrial architecture with exposed beams to add a sleek contemporary look.
Tokyo Style Slim Deck Cable Railing System
The Tokyo Style cable railing has sharp lines and a sleek profile. The corner posts have a unique style with thin square bars that add an Asian influence.
Kauai Style Cable Railing For Decks
The Kauai Style has slender intermediate posts with double-bar end posts connected with round stainless steel standoffs between the corner posts. This style works well with modern and contemporary architecture and allows for vista views.
Cable Railings System for Decks with Prairie Post
The prairie posts are reminiscent of an I-beam with a unique motif design on each of the posts. This style complements an industrial look as well as prairie-style architecture including homes with low roof lines. This look can be designed without the motif cut-out resulting in a more traditional I-beam appearance for an industrial aesthetic.
What type of top rail are available for decks? Top rails are available in a variety of styles, shapes, and materials including wood, aluminum, and steel. There are several factors to consider when choosing top rails. Depending on the railing style of choice some top rails will work better than others. Each top rail will have an associated cost depending on size, material, and finish of choice.
Let us help you customize a cable railing system of your choice for your deck to suit your home’s style. Wondering how to install a cable railing on your deck? We have an easy step-by-step guide.
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Indoors and outdoors alike, LED lighted railings add to both the functionality and ambiance of a given space. Whether you’re hoping to set a romantic mood for your restaurant patio or are looking to light up your interior staircase for nighttime visibility, architectural LED lighting is a stylish solution.
At Keuka Studios, we understand that every project is different and requires some creative engineering. When it comes to lighting, concealing wires and accessing power sources may present a challenge. However, our designers are committed to coming up with innovative solutions for the unique demands of your project.
Cable Railings with LED Lighting
Cable railing systems designed and crafted by Keuka Studios bring a modern, sophisticated look to decks, balconies, terraces, and stairs. Many of our clients, both home and business owners, request LED lighting for their railings so they can make the most of their outdoor spaces. At Keuka Studios, our engineers can incorporate the LED lighting system of your choice into a custom cable railing system.
How our designers accommodate the lights, wires, and access to a power source will depend on the style and materials you chose for your railing posts and top rail. If you want spotlight-style LED lights, one option is to use aluminum tubing and run the wires through the top rail. Using this method, allows us to craft a rail with custom cutouts for spotlight-style LED lights. Once you have selected your lighting system we custom design our railings to work with the system of choice.
With LED lighting, the options are unlimited. You can opt for classic white lights or colored lights. Also available are dimming or pulsing lights. Whatever your style, Keuka Studios will help you create your perfect illuminated space.
LED Lighted Cable Railings -Top Rail
We worked with a commercial customer who chose the LEDPOD 40 by KLIK Systems. For the deck railings of their Wedding Venue. With this design, light faces down from beneath the top rail and it reflects off the stainless steel cable infill below, illuminating them as well. Most commonly, our clients request under-rail lighting to illuminate the whole perimeter of the space.
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Terraced Patio Bar with LED Lighted Railings
For this terraced patio bar at the Sequoia restaurant in Washington, D.C. we incorporated LEDpod night lighting into the underside of the round handrail. All of the wires are concealed within the posts and the handrails. The LEDpod lighting has the effect of lighting the walkways while adding ambiance to the dining experience.
LED Lighted Top Railing
Staircases with LED Lighting
LED lighting has also become popular with our custom stair customers. To achieve a modern look and to light the way, clients often request built-in lights for stair treads, risers, or stringers. How we incorporate the lights will depend on the style and materials of your staircase. For ideas, take a look at a couple of our staircases with LED lighting systems:
LED Lighted Spiral Stair Risers
This exterior spiral staircase features LED lights on each riser and connects to a deck railing system with under-rail lights. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the circuit runs up the center column of the spiral staircases, and the wires run beneath each tread to connect the LED lights embedded in the risers. Each light has a custom machined metal diffuser that guides the light downward to prevent glare while ascending the steps.
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Zig Zag Stair With Lighted Treads
Keuka Studios designed this zigzag staircase and cable railing system for a client in Greenwich, Connecticut. To brighten the walkway and match the customer’s unique hanging light fixture, we added LED light strips to the underside of each stair tread. A brushed stainless steel riser was used to add a bit of dazzle to the project.
Floating Stair With Lighted Glass Treads
We custom-created this lighted glass tread, steel stringer stairs, and cable railing system for the interior of a client’s home in Knoxville, Tennessee. The lighting system for the glass treads is fed up through the wall and into the end of each tread. This creates a warm glow that transitions across the glass tread.
Floating Stair Stringer with LED Lighting
A client in Ogunquit, ME decided to have LED lighting in their floating stair stringer to provide light for navigating the stairs and add ambiance to the space. We custom-made the steel stringer to conceal the wires of the LED lighting with cutouts to accommodate the chosen lights. The effect is a warm welcoming glow to their home entry and stairs.
Handrails with LED Lighting
Our talented design and fabrication team artfully created a unique cable railing system and handrail for an office building in Seattle, Washington. The objective of the design of the handrails was to add LED lighting on both sides of the stairs while hiding the wiring within the railing and posts. The added lighting provides ambiance and light for navigating the stairs.
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While our engineers create innovative ways to incorporate LED lights into our unique cable railing systems and stairs, every project requires custom accommodations. If you’re interested in railing with LED lighting, we recommend you contact us to discuss your ideas. Interested in LED lighting for your stairs or cable railing? Contact us to discuss your ideas.
Modern stairs and railings crafted for Homes in the Hamptons
The Hamptons located on Long Island is made up of a variety of beach towns and award-winning vineyards with a rural atmosphere, and historic charm. Widely known as an exclusive summer destination to escape from the city, and viewed as a summer playground, or a place to relax and enjoy the pristine waters. The architecture of the area boasts a variety of charming homes from traditional colonial styles to modern mansions. We have designed and fabricated a variety of stairs and railings for homes in the Hamptons.
These projects will inspire your next renovation or new build. See something you like? Contact us for a quote.
East Hampton
Floating Spindle Stair and Railing Project
A work of art this floating staircase flows elegantly between floors with a continuous oak handrail. The steel stringers appear as if they float in thin air, and each spindle is perfectly placed. This streamlined railing is constructed of powder-coated steel with thick white oak treads and handrails.
Placed directly in front of a two-story window the vertical lines of the staircase balustrade blend beautifully with the modern aesthetic of this cube-style home.
Deck Cable Railing System
This beach house was designed with a low profile, and clean lines to sit in harmony with the natural surroundings. The Ithaca Style cable railing system was chosen for this project since it perfectly complements the simplistic lines of this modern beach house. The posts and top rail are made of matte black powder-coated aluminum. The cable railing system is custom-made to transition along the deck, second-story decks, and stairs up to the crow’s nest.
Bridgehampton
Black Cable Railings
A truly unique stairwell design combines rustic and refined elements in this modern farmhouse. The reclaimed wooden beams add a weathered texture, contrasting with the smooth white oak treads and handrails. The cable railing is made with black cables and fittings. The Ithaca Style railing posts are a custom powder-coat color to match the home’s window trim.
Striking in its simplicity the slim straight balusters and linear design of the railings accent the home’s neutral pallet.
Stainless Cable Railing
The crisp clean lines of the master bedroom balcony railing with thin railing posts provide the required functionality while seeming to disappear from the view. The cable ends are attached to the home’s structure with our unique fittings eliminating the requirement for additional posts. The same railing style is used for the interior and exterior creating synergy in the design of the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Montauk
Exterior Stair and Balcony Cable Railings
The design objective of this modern home with floor-to-ceiling windows and a distinctive wide main entry stair was to maintain the open views. Cable railings were chosen to ascend the stairs and wrap the porch and balcony. The Ithaca Style railing is made with thin posts and a wood top rail which maximizes the views.
Glass Interior Stair Railings
A free-standing modern straight staircase with glass railing balustrades and metal posts gives this railing a transparent appearance. Placed adjacent to the window it seamlessly brings the outdoors, indoors and allows for streaming sunlight throughout. The posts include escutcheon plates to hide the mounting hardware. The glass balustrade is mounted to the posts with stainless steel clamps.
If you liked these ideas, see the links below for more ideas!
6 Deck Styles with Cable Railings
Beach House Cable Railings
Floating Stair Ideas
At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality. Take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade stairs and railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.
Modern metal railings are trending in home design for interiors, and exteriors. Metal railings that are artfully designed and expertly handcrafted add a streamlined aesthetic, modern flair, and sleek lines to any home. Our bespoke railing systems offer unique solutions that are not available anywhere else. We work with the challenges of each space to create elegant solutions resulting in railings that are sculptural works of art.
You can select from a range of styles, colors, finishes, and base materials that can be mixed and matched to fit your desired aesthetic and functionality.
Styles – There are a variety of styles available for metal railings including horizontal and vertical spindle railings or flat bar railings
Materials – Metal railings can be fabricated from a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, with a variety of finishes available to choose from.
Finishes – Each type of metal may be finished in a variety of ways. Stainless Steel is usually brushed or polished to achieve a shiny appearance and has the option to also be powder coated. Aluminum is available as clear anodized which gives it a silver-looking appearance and has the option to be powder coated. Steel is available in a variety of powder coat colors, and can also be in galvanized for better weatherability
Get inspired for your next project with these remarkable modern metal railings we’ve created for our clients.
Horizontal Bar Railings
Horizontal Round Bar Railing – Scarsdale, NY
Modern Metal Floating Stair with Round Bar Railing
The client for a modern cube home chose horizontal round bar railings for the interior and exterior of their new home. The railings wrap the multilevel stairs and balconies on the interior. For the exterior, the same railing style is used on the rooftop deck, covered porch, and stairs. The modern metal railings have a minimalist appearance. The posts are mounted below the flooring to hide the hardware resulting in a streamlined appearance. The lines of the railings beautifully complement the modernist architecture of the home. These railings are made of powder-coated steel with white oak top rails.
Flat Bar Railing on Floating Staircase, Keuka Lake, NY
Flat Bar Railing on Modern Floating Stairs
Refined and rustic this project remodel was a labor of love for our clients. The objective was to take a tightly closed stairwell and give it a larger, spacious, open feel. To accomplish this, the closed stairwell was removed and replaced with a floating mono stringer stair and a modern metal flat bar railing. The railing is uniquely designed with horizontal flat bars and double bar end posts. The railing top rail and stair treads are made of antique white oak, creating a space with a rustic yet, refined style.
Vertical Bar Railings
Spindle Railing on Floating Stairs – Hamptons, NY
Round Bar Railing aka Pencil Rod Railing
Careful engineering and design, and clever solutions were required to achieve the simplicity and clean lines of this modern stair railing. The hardware for the spindles is hidden beneath the floor for an uncluttered appearance. The railing and wood top rail flows seamlessly and elegantly like a ribbon as it ascends from floor to floor. Uniquely designed to achieve rigidity and a slender floating appearance. The stair stringer and spindles are made of powder-coated steel with white oak top rail and treads.
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At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.
Eleven home styles featuring cable railings on the exterior stairs and decks
Whether you are in the beginning stages of designing and building a home or renovating an existing one there are a lot of decisions to make. Among those decisions is deciding on the exterior facade and what types of railings to choose for the stairs and decks. I have always found starting with inspiration photos for my projects helps me to see the possibilities and visualize the results. Cable railing systems are a great choice for exterior stairs and decks. They give your house a unique style and add value to your home. Following is a collection of homes with a variety of architectural styles including contemporary, modern, traditional, cube, and log homes that feature Keuka Studios cable railing systems for your inspiration.
Contemporary Beach Home Renovation
Located in New Jersey on Long Beach Island this Loveladies beach home sat vacant and neglected for many years. When new owners purchased the home they decided to refurbish it and completely update the decks with a minimalist and modern appearance. They removed a dated white metal tube railing that obstructed their ocean views and replaced it with a cable railing system. The client chose our Ithaca Style railing system for its slender railing posts and clean simple lines. The railings are custom modified to accommodate the site with shorter posts on the half wall. The posts are designed to be attached by fascia on the pool deck and surface mount on the upper-level rooftop decks.
Fascia and Surface Mounted Posts at Varied Lengths as needed for half walls
Desert Villa with Custom Curved Railing System
The epitome of indoor-outdoor living, the Summit Club, NV desert villas offer sweeping decks and patios designed for gracious entertaining. Since the villas overlook the club’s golf course and have stunning views of the Red Rocks mountains the objective was to design a railing system that would maximize the views. To complement the architecture of the villa we custom-designed a unique curved blade-shaped railing post. The posts are powder-coated a custom color to match the exterior facade of the villa. The top rail is made of round stainless steel tube.
Cable Railing Style: Custom Curved Railing
Material: Powder-coated steel with polished stainless steel top rail
Posts are fascia mounted and made to a custom height of 40 inches
Situated adjacent to Liberty Lake, WA this residence enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape. This log home combines architectural materials including wood, steel, and stone creating a rustic home with a modern touch. Since the view from the home was of utmost importance a cable railing system was chosen as the best choice to maximize the views. Our client chose the Keuka Style cable railing post for its gently curved shape. The railing posts were made to a height of 42 inches and custom modified to wrap around the deck drainage system.
Lake Tahoe also known as the Jewel of the Sierras is a recreation destination that boasts beaches, ski resorts, and state parks. Located in South Lake Tahoe is Villa Harrah originally built in the 1960s by William Harrah founder of Harrahs Casinos. The 22,000 sq ft home recently underwent a complete renovation bringing it up to date with modern amenities while paying homage to its famous roots. Our Keuka Style curved railing system was chosen for all the outdoor decks, stairs, balconies, and pool decks for its nautical aesthetic and to maintain the stunning panoramic lake and mountain views.
Cube Architecture with Rooftop Deck Cable Railings
Based on simple geometric lines this cube-style home has a modern design incorporating a combination of materials including stone, steel, glass, and wood. The unique home was planned to efficiently use all the available living spaces inside and outside. Therefore, a rooftop deck was added above the sunporch for enjoying the outdoors, and the views during the mild comfortable summer months in the Northeast. To complement the simple lines of the exterior of this cube-style home our client chose our Ithaca Style cable railing system.
Material: Custom color powder-coated steel with IPE top rail
Posts are surface-mounted
Architect: Krzystof Bury
Sleek Modern Home with Industrial Edge
Cleans lines and a sleek appearance with a unique blend of metals and brick define the look of this modern home. The porte-cochere creates a grand entrance to the home with the added benefit of extra rooftop space for entertaining, dining, and lounging. This client chose our Chicago Style cable railing system for the exterior of their home since the tapered post has a unique cut-out design with an industrial edge. The railing is made of powder-coated steel at a 42-inch height and fascia mounted.
Cable Railing Style: Chicago Style
Material: Custom color powder-coated steel with wood top rail
This contemporary home is located at a private home development club in Clear Creek, NV. The residence has an open floor plan with dramatic views of the mountains from every window. Because the main objective of the exterior deck railing design was to maintain the mountain views cable railings were a natural choice. Since the architecture of the home has curved rooflines the Keuka Style curved railing system was chosen to accentuate the contoured rooflines.
The island of Kauai is referred to as the “Garden Island” for its lush undeveloped mountain ranges and rainforests. As is the custom in Hawaii many homes are given names, this home is named “Hale Ike Mala” meaning “Love of the Garden” since it is set on the hillside overlooking the orchard and pristine ocean. This residence was designed by Kelly and Stone Architects, their approach to creating homes is guided by sustainability and harmonizing with the site and the environment. They chose our Kauai Style railing for this project. The Kauai Style has slim posts and unique double-end posts connected with round stainless steel spacers. The railing is made to a height of 42-inches with 3/16 in cables.
Cable Railing Style: Kauai Style Railing
Material: Custom color powder-coated solid aluminum posts
Posts fascia mounted and made to a 42-inch height with 3/16 in stainless steel cables
The Chicago Style railing was chosen for this home since it perfectly complements the exterior exposed beam architecture and stone facade. This railing design has an industrial edge with tapered posts that have a unique cutout pattern. Since the home is situated adjacent to panoramic views of the Colorado mountains the objective of the project was to maintain the views while accenting the architecture of the home.
Located on the Delaware Shores Rehoboth Beach boasts plenty of fun and activities for the whole family including water activities, shopping on the boardwalk, and an amusement park. To maintain the stunning views and ocean breezes this client chose to use cable railings to wrap the exterior decks, balconies, screen porch, and boardwalk to the beach. They chose the Ithaca Style railing system for the slim posts and minimalist style that perfectly complements the traditional facade of the home.
A mid-century modern home gets an update while maintaining the original simplicity of the style. Since the home has large floor-to-ceiling windows the client chose cable railings to maintain the views from the multi-level decks and from within the home. The railing style chosen for this project is our Keuka Style for its gently curved posts. That adds a unique approach to the otherwise straight lines of the architecture of the home.
If you are inspired by these homes with exterior cable railings you may also like the following ideas.
Impressive Exterior Floating Stair
8 Creative Curved Deck Ideas with Cable Railings
Cable Railing Styles for Decks and Stairs
At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.
At Keuka Studios, we provide endless options for cable railing customization. We offer five signature railing post styles and an array of post and top rail materials. Once you’ve selected the design of your railing system and your desired materials, you can also choose your finish. If you opt for a powder coat, you can select one of our standard colors or a customized shade.
When choosing a powder coat for your cable railing system, you should consider a few important factors. You can read more about these considerations here. If you need some design inspiration, take a look at our six most popular cable railing color options: “Raven Black,” “Sparkle Silver,” “Dazzling Pewter,” “Oil-Rubbed Bronze,” and “Gamblers Gun Grey”, and “Texture White”.
1. “Raven Black”
With both interior and exterior applications, many of our clients pick a classic black powder coat for their cable railing system. Our “Raven Black” option matches virtually any natural setting, interior design scheme, and top rail material. In the photo below, the railing features black powder-coated steel posts paired with a maple wood top rail. The dark railing posts create a striking contrast with the home’s white walls and Douglas fir exposed beams.
2. “Sparkle Silver” Powder Coat
If you’re looking for a cable railing system with a modern edge, consider the “Sparkle Silver” shade. This lustrous, soft silver powder coat adds a reflective and metallic look to any railing and mimics the look of stainless steel without the added cost. The owner of this luxurious home chose a “Sparkle Silver” powder coat for their steel Chicago Style cable railing system. Both the silver posts and light wood top rail contribute to the sleek monochromatic aesthetic of the home exterior.
3. “Dazzling Pewter” Cable Railing Color
“Dazzling Pewter” is a matt dark grey shade with a slight sandpaper-like texture for a more industrial feel. The rustic barn pictured below features a floating staircase and cable railing system with “Dazzling Pewter” powder-coated stair stringers and railing posts. The color contrasts nicely with the antique Oak treads and handrail without being overpowering.
4. Cable Railing Color Option: “Gamblers Gun Grey”
“Gamblers Gun Grey” also has a metallic look but a more muted appearance than “Dazzling Pewter.” This powder coat shade is particularly popular among clients who have contemporary taste and want a cable railing system that harmoniously melds with its surroundings. Our clients in Martha’s Vineyard chose “Gamblers Gun Grey” powder-coated aluminum posts and a white oak top rail for their rooftop deck cable railing system.
5. “Oil-Rubbed Bronze”
The “Oil-Rubbed Bronze” cable railing color option is particularly popular for exterior applications. The deep brown shade has a natural look that seamlessly blends with natural landscapes. For example, Keuka Studios designed and crafted this cable railing for the observation deck at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The “Oil-Rubbed Bronze” powder-coated aluminum posts and top rail complement rather than distract from the sprawling natural scenery.
6. “Texture White”
White powder-coated railings have a clean, simple, and sophisticated look. Many of our clients in coastal areas who want to achieve a nautical aesthetic opt for a white powder coat. Keuka Studios crafted the cable railing system shown below for a hotel lobby that was designed to resemble a ship deck. The railing features steel posts, a teak wood top rail, and stainless steel infill cables.
Close Up of Color Chips
An image of the 6 colors is shown below to help you visualize your projects. Since monitors display colors differently these color chips are available upon request for Keuka Studios projects. Contact us at 585-487-6148
Don’t see the cable railing color that’s perfect for your project? While these are our most popular powder coat options, we offer a much larger selection than what’s shown above. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for in our cable railing gallery, contact us and ask about powder coat color customization.
Atriums are usually spacious open multi-storied areas featured in the main entrees of buildings. Many designs will have skylights or generous windows to provide an infusion of natural light to each floor. Atriums provide a great area for informal gatherings, small meeting places, or a relaxed atmosphere for taking a break or having a bite to eat. Since the objective is to create large open spaces, a cable railing for the balconies and stairs is a perfect choice. Atrium cable railings are available in a variety of styles and finishes, these creative ideas will inspire your next project. Cable railings are a perfect choice for all types of atriums including, office buildings, college campuses, and retreat lodges.
Sleek Atrium Cable Railing
Creating an environment to prioritize wellness the Amerisource Bergen new offices feature healthy options in the cafeteria as well as a yoga and fitness center. Our Ithaca style cable railing was chosen for the atrium’s interior stairs and balcony. Because the modern thin posts and sleek styling, allow for the natural sunlight to stream throughout the open areas, resulting in an enjoyable place to work and socialize.
Cable Railing Style – Ithaca Style Railing
Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Posts at 42 in height with Aluminum Top Rail
Rogers State University Pryor Campus is located in an active area with an abundance of lakes and parks. The University provides a vibrant campus life including an open atrium for studying, socializing, and lounging. The railing chosen for this project is our Chicago Style with 42-inch posts powder-coated dazzling pewter. Since the post design features cutouts and angular projections it gives the posts an edgy industrial aesthetic.
Cable Railings Style – Chicago Style
Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Posts at 42 in, Fascia mounted
Olivet Nazarene University Reed Hall is home to both the study of engineering and the sciences. The spacious lobby features a large water sculpture that greets you as you walk in the door. Together the glass window wall and ceilings combined with our transparent cable railings keep the space feeling open. As a result, it allows for natural light to flow throughout the building. Our Chicago Style cable railing was chosen for its high-tech and industrial look that fits in perfectly in the environment built to inspire.
Cable Railing Style – Chicago Style
Materials – Powder-coated steel posts fascia mounted with a wood top rail.
Forward Bank was designed with finishes chosen to reflect its brand and culture while creating a desirable and pleasant place to work. They needed a building that offered an enjoyable work environment to attract talented employees. Smart office design concepts and finishes were incorporated throughout the building. Our Ithaca style cable railing made of brushed stainless steel was chosen for the atrium to complement the aesthetic of the building.
Cable Railing Style – Ithaca Style Railings
Materials – Stainless Steel Posts and a sub-rail with a wood top rail
Nestled in the woods the Clayton Lodge was designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. The lodge includes several training rooms including indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. It is a perfect location for corporate retreats and private events. For this project, our Ithaca Style Cable railing was chosen because of the slim post design. We made the steel posts at a 42-inch height. The posts are powder-coated with stainless steel cables and a wood top rail.
Cable Railing Style – Ithaca Style
Materials – Powder-coated steel at a 42 in height with 3/16 in diameter cables
KLN Family Brands created an inspiring work environment by combining wood accents with steel finishes and vibrant colors. The multi-level office space includes sunny open areas to work or take a break. Our Prairie Style cable railing post was chosen for this project without the motif cutout resulting in an I-beam appearance. Made of steel and powder-coated with a wide wood top rail. The straight lines complement the interior design finishes.
Cable Railing Style – The Prairie Style without the post design cutouts
At Keuka Studios, we take pride in building craftsman-quality residential and commercial-grade cable railing systems. Every Keuka Studios custom railing is built specifically for your space. As a result, our products fit perfectly with your home or business’s existing architecture, both in terms of structure and style. To learn more about how each project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process.
Know your options before selecting the perfect stair tread for your project.
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, designing a staircase to fit your design style and lifestyle is an important consideration. Once you have decided on a type of stairs it is time to decide what type of stair tread to choose. There are plenty of tread styles and materials to choose from to complement your home’s design. Whether your home is modern, contemporary, rustic or traditional there is a style to fit your requirements.
At Keuka Studios, we design our staircases to accommodate your preferred style of stair treads.
What types of stair treads are there?
Various Types of materials are available and include – Wood, Glass, Tile, Composite, Stone, and Steel.
1. Wood Treads
With wood, it is important to consider if your project is for the interior or exterior of your home. Many wood species do not hold up well in the outdoor weather elements so choosing an appropriate type of wood should be carefully considered. In addition, it is important to consider the wood grain, how it is sawn, and the construction of the stair tread.
For interior staircases, there are a variety of woods available to choose from for your project that will add different aesthetics to your decor. Some of the more popular varieties are Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Walnut, and Distressed Woods.
Red Oak is readily available has a reddish-brown appearance and is considered hard and heavy with medium bending strength. It adds a sense of warmth to the decor.
White Oak is slightly lighter in color than red oak and is a heavy hardwood with medium bending strength. White Oak has become very popular in modern design as it tends to have a straighter more linear grain than red oak. Using white oak lightens up a room. It is not recommended for aesthetic outdoor tread applications as it turns black quickly with weather (although it does resist rot quite well).
Hard Maple is a creamy white with a slight reddish-brown tinge and is generally straight-grained it has a high resistance to abrasion and wear making it a good solid choice for stairs and landings.
Walnut is a tough hardwood, the sapwood is creamy white, while the heartwood is light to dark brown. The dark wood is typically the most sought after so expect to pay more as much of the sapwood will be unusable.
Distressed Wood is often just reclaimed lumber from an old barn or factory where years of heavy use have added some character to the wood. Alternately, it could be newer wood that has been mechanically stressed and finished to give that distressed look. Either way, it can add a textured, rustic appeal. This can be desirable in a high-traffic area as any additional wear over time will just add to the character of the wood.
BrazillianCherry is a very strong hardwood that is considerably harder than most woods. It is a mostly straight-grained hardwood with rich color and reddish undertones that adds warmth and elegance to any room. With time and exposure to light, the wood may darken. It is not recommended for damp or high humidity environments due to the natural ability of the wood to store water.
In addition, it is popular to whitewash or bleach wood to give it an antique distressed look while lightening the surface of the wood. Sometimes pigment is added prior to the finish coat allowing the natural grain to pop more.
Antiqued knotty pine was selected for the treads on this staircase to complement the wide-aged pine board flooring on this Nantucket home. Pine is a softer wood that will more easily wear over time than hardwoods.
For exterior staircases, ironwoods are recommended such as Ipe or Cumaru. Additionally, although much softer redwood and cedar are good options since they stand up better than other species to the elements. To maintain the natural beauty of these woods they require regular oiling and care, or they can be left exposed to the elements to age to a grayish appearance.
Keuka Studios can provide stair treads and landings in your wood of choice, to be finished on-site by your contractor.
2. Glass Treads
Choosing glass stair treads with a steel floating stair stringer system will create a stunning architectural element in your home. There are dozens of varieties of colors, patterns, textures, and finishes available in glass. One important consideration is to choose a tread that has a non-slip surface. In addition, would you prefer LED lighting for the treads? The combination of glass tread combined with LED lighting can add a dramatic effect to the overall aesthetic of the staircase. At Keuka Studios we have the capability to create steel stair stringers to accommodate glass treads and hide the LED lighting wires.
3. Tile Treads
Tile stair treads can be a beautiful and durable alternative to wood. They have the advantage of not needing oiling or ongoing maintenance since they won’t decay or attract insects. Many of today’s tiles simulate the look of wood. We can design and fabricate steel stair tread pans to accommodate the selected style tile tread or pavers.
4. Composite Treads
Composite materials resist fading, scratching, and mold, they don’t rot, crack, or splinter. They are durable and require minimal maintenance. For this project below to accommodate composite decking on floating stairs, we designed a steel support system for the treads and the railing posts connect to the steel stringer below the steps.
5. Stone Treads
Bluestone Treads are the most common stone tread currently trending for outdoor stair applications. Bluestone treads have a grayish-blue color and are typically 2 inches thick. They add durability and beauty to any outdoor staircase with minimal maintenance required. In addition, they blend naturally with the adjacent landscape.
Limestone Treads can be used for interior and exterior stair projects. It is a natural stone that can be easily shaped and cut to any size. Limestone is highly durable and is widely available. It is available in a variety of color variants ranging from honey creams to grays. Limestone can be polished to the desired finish. It is important to seal limestone to prevent staining.
Travertine Stone Treads on the interior floating stairs of this home add a dramatic and beautiful elegance to the decor. Travertine is durable and has a natural non-slip textured surface, making it an excellent choice for stair treads. Travertine is more porous than many other stones, therefore it is important to seal it to resist staining. Paired with a glass railing, brass handrails, clamps, and kick plates result in an exquisite staircase.
6. Steel Treads
Metal stair treads are strong and offer rustic industrial styling. Steel treads pair beautifully with open beam architecture and are often preferred on spiral staircases. With metal treads, it is important to provide some sort of slip protection. This could be in the form of a diamond plate surface, metal grating or a series of hole patterns in the treads.
If you like this blog, you may also like these:
How to Choose Wood for Stair Treads
Custom Stair Designs
Floating Stairs Ideas
At Keuka Studios, we custom-fabricate stairs and railings to fit your style and space. We make our stair stringers to accommodate the type of treads you choose. We can provide you with wood, glass, and steel treads for our staircases. All you have to do is choose your style.
The sleek aesthetic of stainless steel cable and railings makes a beautiful design accent for decks, stairs, and balconies. Stainless steel has a clean modern appearance while being durable with minimal maintenance. Stainless can have a brushed, mirrored, or powder-coated finish to create the desired design effect. Whether for an interior or exterior railing project we customize our stair and railing designs to fit your requirements.
Ultra-modern Stainless Railing and Stairs
To achieve the desired ultra-modern aesthetic for this home we created a floating zig zag stringer staircase with 316 stainless steel cables and railing posts. To accent the steps and create ambiance as well as light the stairway, we included brushed stainless steel risers that reflect the under-mounted LED lighting. These cool design elements resulted in a one-of-a-kind modern staircase.
Vertical and Horizontal Stainless Steel Cable Railing
An important design element for this home was to provide a seamless flow between the home to the patio, poolside spaces, and beyond to the ocean beaches. Equally important was to create a serene place to relax without impeding the ocean views. This clever combination of vertical and horizontal cable railings achieves this result while adhering to national pool regulations. The railings have mahogany top rails that conceal strips of LED lights to provide ambiance for nighttime entertaining. The 316 stainless steel railing posts are finished with a number 6 brushed polish. Stainless steel escutcheon plates were CNC machined to perfectly fit the posts and conceal the mounting plates.
Rustic Industrial Stainless Deck Railings
Chosen for its angular design and open cutouts our Chicago-style cable railing system adds a sleek contemporary look to any home. The industrial elements of the home include an exposed timber beam structure with large metal flanges and bolts. This combination of warm woods, clad siding, and stone create a refined and rustic appeal. Since this is a coastal home the cable railing posts are made of type 316 stainless steel and are designed to be fascia mounted to the deck.
Simply Sleek Stainless Steel Cable and Railing
As a fashion designer, this client has an eye for minimalist design. Her objective was to eliminate the appearance of joints on her railing to create a clean modern aesthetic. We were asked to design and build a stainless steel cable railing that would optimize the view and not distract the eye. She chose our Ithaca Style cable railing system for its thin posts. Since the home is located on the ocean the railing material chosen for this project is solid 316ss for the railing posts and top rail. Paying attention to every detail even the decking was designed without joints.
Nautical Style Stainless Steel with Cable and Glass
Coastal homes featuring a nautical interior design have an inviting and relaxed beachy vibe. This style for a staircase can be achieved in a variety of ways. For a couple of beach houses pictured above, we collaborated with the designers on different approaches. One homeowner preferred to use a combination of stainless steel cable connecting to wide white wood newel posts with brushed stainless round handrails. The other design style uses a glass infill with brushed stainless steel rectangular posts, round handrails, and nautical-style lighting in the stairwell. Both stair railing projects complement the charming shiplap wall paneling.
Before and After
Modern Minimal Transformation
A sleek transformation replaces a dated wood stair railing with slim stainless steel railing posts and cables. The level railing was designed to use fascia-mounted stainless steel posts along the top of the stairwell and surface-mounted posts on the steps. The cable infill creates a more visually pleasing unobstructed view making the overall space feel more open and larger. Also, the new handrail is more easily graspable than the old version.
At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.
Exterior floating stairs provide egress from your home as well as allow easy access from a raised deck to the ground level of your property. When deciding on the type of stairs for your outdoor space there are many styles and material options available that will complement the design of your residential or commercial property.
Like interior stairs, exterior stairs need to meet required building codes. For example, a landing would be required for any stair that is higher than 12 feet vertically. Building codes vary by state and municipality so it is important to check local building codes for requirements. For example, in most localities, a 36″ high guard rail will meet building codes however in California a 42″ high guard rail is required on stairs.
Exterior stairs need to be engineered to accommodate environmental influences. Tread materials that can withstand the elements are an important factor. The metal structure required for a solid stone tread would differ greatly from that required for a composite tread, a solid wood, or tile tread. The composition of the earth will determine the lower level stringer footings and anchoring requirements. These factors must be carefully considered to ensure a long life for the staircase.
Choosing a floating stair style is totally up to your design aesthetic, we offer a variety of stringer styles, powder-coat colors, and railings to mix and match to achieve your objective.
Exterior Floating Stairs are functional and beautifully complement any home’s architecture. See several inspirational and impressive exterior stair ideasbelow.
Modern Exterior Mono Stringer Floating Stair
The Summit Club is a private residential community located in Las Vegas Nevada that boasts 5-star amenities and views of the Red Rock Canyon. The design of the residences offers a variety of outdoor living spaces with large patios and decks for relaxing or entertaining. For this two-story Dessert Villa, we designed an exterior floating stair to provide access from the patio to the second story.
We collaborated with Discovery Builders on the design of the exterior stairs and railings for this project. The stairs are engineered to support the weight of the travertine treads including custom tread supports. The railing posts are connected to the stair stringer below the treads to prevent stressing the stone treads. The stair stringer is made of square steel tubes with the stair configuration incorporating two landings. The curved cable railing posts continuously wrap the stairs and deck. The posts design tapers to the top and has a round stainless steel handrail. Hidden wire channels are built into the steel structure of each tread to provide LED lighting on the leading edge of each tread.
Exterior Stairs and Railing – Steel stringer with custom-designed tread supports. Curved railing posts, and round stainless steel handrail.
Material -Steel stringer and posts, stainless steel handrail.
Finish – Powder Coated – “Black Anodized”
Additional Option – LED lighting built into the leading edge of each tread.
Offset Cantileverd Floating Stair with Stone Steps
We collaborated with architect Viebeke Lichten on the innovative design of this offset cantilevered stair and railing system for this concrete home known as the ECO House on Shelter Island, NY. The stairs provide outside access from the garage level of the home to the upper-level pool patio and main entrance.
The stair stringer is crafted from a 4-in by 10-in rectangular tube with a 3/8-in wall. The design of the stairs has the stringer offset to one side of the steps. The custom cable railing post has a tapered shape that complements the modern aesthetic of the home. The tread supports are designed to accommodate the weight of the bluestone steps. Each railing post is welded to the tread support below the step. The stairs and railings are powder coated a custom color to match the home’s window and door accent color.
Exterior Stairs and Railings – Offset steel stringer with custom tread supports and unique tapered cable railing posts.
Material – Steel stringer and railing posts with IPE top rail.
Finish – Powder Coated “EVO Grey”.
Floating Exterior Stair and Horizontal Round Bar Railing
This modern cube-style home has simple geometric shapes and a minimalist appearance. The exterior of the home expertly combines cedar siding with concrete and steel to delineate the variety of cubic spaces. The architects at The Thread Collective contacted Keuka Studios to create floating stairs and horizontal round bar railings aka pencil rod railings for both the interior and exterior of this home.
We crafted the exterior stairs with double stringers made of C-channel and a horizontal round bar railing system. The stair treads are made of 1-1/2 in x 3 in IPE slats with space in between each board resulting in a wood grate appearance. Custom tread supports were designed on the stringers to support the unique wood tread design. The exterior railings have a simple sleek look with black metal balusters and horizontal round bars. The railing posts are surface mounted and wrap the stairs, decks, and rooftop deck.
Stairs and Railings – Custom double stringer stair with c-channel stringers and a steel pencil rod railing.
Material – Steel stairs and railing with IPE top rail. IPE wood treads are vertical 1-1/2 x 3 in slats.
Finish – Powder Coated “Raven Texture Black”
Galvanized Exterior Floating Stairs and Spiral Stairs
Located on the Hudson River, NY with beach and water access this family vacation home was in need of a complete renovation. The original structure was completely remodeled and expanded to increase the living space. Since the owners enjoy entertaining, multiple decks were added to the home including a rooftop deck.
To access the rooftop deck we crafted a triple spiral stair with wide steps and ADA compliant handrails. The spiral stairs are designed to have entry points at the ground level, on each deck, and on the rooftop. In addition, there are two matching floating stairs to the main deck allowing for easy access to the water level of the home. The cable railing system is the Ithaca Style with a slim post design, the railings wrap all of the decks and stairs. The stairs and railings are made of steel with an exposed galvanized finish that has an industrial style and will provide decades of maintenance-free service.
Exterior Stairs and Railings – Custom-designed double stringer matching stairs and triple-level spiral stairs with ADA handrails. The cable railing system is our Ithaca Style railing posts with IPE top rail.
This family decided to build their dream home alongside the picturesque golf course in St Louis, Missouri. They envisioned enjoying the golf community lifestyle with visually appealing views of plush greens and rolling hills. They designed their home with multiple decks overlooking the golf course, a screen porch viewing area, and a pool patio oasis.
To access the pool and complement the home’s architecture the client chose a floating mono stringer stair with stone treads. The stair and tread supports are engineered to support the weight of the blue-stone treads with the railing posts attached to the stair stringer. The stringers and railing posts are powder-coated to match the home’s accent colors. To maintain the views cable railings were chosen to wrap the decks, floating stairs, and screen porch.
Exterior Stair and Railings – Floating stair stringer with landing and the Ithaca Stylecable railing system.
Material – Steel stringer and posts with aluminum top rail.
Finish – Powder Coated “Oil Rubbed Bronze”.
Additional Option – Escutcheon Plates for surface mount posts, and gates.
Industrial Split Stairs with Cable Railings
Waterways Marina in Richmond Hill, Ga, is located along Redbird Creek with access to several waterways. This state-of-the-art full-service facility features boat launches, boat storage space, and an expansive pool. The exterior split staircase has channel-style stringers and provides access to the upper level of the Club House.
The stair and balcony railings are made with solid aluminum posts at a 42-in height in our Ithaca style with ADA compliant stainless steel handrails. The top rail is powder-coated aluminum and the cable railing system is 3/16-in stainless steel cable. The balcony railings are fascia mounted and the stair railings are surface mounted.
Cable Railings – Ithaca style surface and fascia mounted slim posts at 42-in height with ADA compliant handrails.
Material – Solid aluminum railing posts with stainless steel handrails, and aluminum top rails.
Finish – Powder Coated “Autumn Grey”.
Exposed Stringer Cantilevered Floating Stair
A post and beam home was disassembled and moved to a new location on top of a mountain in Stowe, VT. Each section of the home was labeled and numbered for easier reassembling in the new location. Since the client lived in the home for many years they knew what changes they wanted to make to the overall plan of the house. So they decided to take this opportunity to redesign part of the interior floor plan and added exterior floating stairs to the deck.
We designed an exterior floating stair system with robust steel stringers. The steps cantilever off the stringer on one side of the stairs, and transition to the other side at the landing. The cable railing system is our Ithaca style in stainless steel with a wide IPE wood top rail. The railing posts are fascia mounted to the deck and stairs.
Exterior Stairs and Railings – Custom cantilevered stringer stairs with our Ithaca Style cable railing system.
Material – Steel stair stringers with stainless steel railing posts and IPE top rail.
Finish – Stair stringers are Powder-Coated “Raven Texture Black”
Exterior L-Shape Floating Stair – Log Home
Located in the Catskill Mountains, NY, a weathered and damaged deck needed to be completely refurbished. Our client chose to replace an old split log style deck railing system with a framed metal cable railing. They were looking for a system that would hold up better to the natural elements of the area. The existing heavy log railing impeded their views of the mountain range so a cable railing seemed like the perfect choice.
This railing is custom-designed with 3-inch square tube posts giving the railing visual mass that complements the large timber log structure. They also decided to add a floating staircase for easy access to the ground level. The floating stairs have a large rectangular metal tube stringer with metal tread supports and a landing partway down the stairs. The treads, decking, and top rail are made of composite material.
Exterior Stairs and Railing – Custom Design Style withFramed railing and 3 in square posts.
Material – Steel
Finish – Powder Coated “Oil Rubbed Bronze”
Exterior Spiral Stair Ideas
Floating spiral stairs offer a way to access the upper level of your deck from a porch or patio without taking up as much space as a conventional straight stair. These metal spiral stairs have a curved cable railing system with railing posts that connect to each step. The handrails gracefully curve around the spiral of the steps. The steps are designed to be wider to provide a comfortable tread surface for ascending and descending the stairs. LED night lighting is concealed within the steps.
Stairs and Railings – Spiral Stairs with our Keuka Stylecurved railing system.
Material – Steel center post, steps, and railing posts.
Finish – Powder Coated “Raven Texture Black”
Additional Option – Concealed LED lighting, Non-skid step surface.
Every Keuka Studios design project is custom-built for your space. To learn more about how each exterior stair and cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade cable railings for interior and exterior applications.
