The most common question we hear from prospective clients is “how much do cable railings cost?” However, unlike many other types of railings, cable railings don’t have a simple price per linear foot.
At Keuka Studios, we pride ourselves in our custom metal fabrication and our attention to detail throughout the process. We work closely with our customers to create the perfect railing system for their specific needs. In turn, we price our cable railings based on numerous variables.
Some of these variables include:
The size and shape of your project.
The material selection of the posts.
The material selection of the top rail.
The style/design of the posts.
The total railing height. Example: 36” vs 42” vs custom height.
The diameter of the cable. Example: 1/8” diameter vs 3/16” diameter.
To get the most accurate cost estimate for your project, you can send us a drawing with basic dimensions and we will put together a personalized quote. Click here to request a quote today. If you need some ballpark numbers for your project, see the information below.
How Size and Shape of the Project Impacts Railing Cost
What makes it so difficult to price cable railing by linear foot? First and foremost, the unique shape and size of a deck or staircase dictate the majority a specific project’s cost.
Of course, the scale of the project impacts the price of the cable railing; bigger projects require more materials and more time to produce. In addition, we occasionally offer a discount for large-scale projects. How the shape of a railing impacts its price is less straight forward. For example, corners will add cost to your cable railing. As a general rule, the more corners, transitions, and stairs your project as, the higher the cost per linear foot. These elements add to the price because cables should always terminate om 90-degree corners. This means that you will need a termination post, such as an end post or a corner post, along with all the necessary hardware to stop the cables and then start them again in the next direction.
Why do we end the cables and not simply bend them around each corner?
We stop and start new runs of cable at each corner so the cables maintain proper tension. In order to meet building codes and to provide a safe barrier, a cable railing need to be tensioned correctly. Furthermore, the tension keeps the cables straight. If you try to bend the cables around a corner, they will become loose over time and require frequent maintenance.
For an example of how shape determines the price of a railing, take a look at these two projects. While we used the same railing design for both projects and they have the same total linear footage, they vary in cost. The more complex a project, the more it costs to design and fabricate the cable railing.
2 Different Deck Railing Layout Patterns: Deck A has lots of corner and end posts. Deck B is cheaper per linear foot because it’s a straight layout and uses fewer posts.
Cable Railing Materials and Price
Selecting the right material for railing posts:
Material selection can also make a huge difference when it comes to cable railing cost. Each material that we work with has its own price point. In general, this is how post material costs compare:
- $ Powder Coated Steel
- $$ Powder Coated and Galvanized Steel
- $$$ Powder Coated Solid Aluminum
- $$$$ Brushed and Clear Anodized Solid Aluminum
- $$$$$ Stainless Steel
Selecting the right material for railing top rail:
Similarly, top rails come in a variety of materials and in different shapes and sizes. Like the railing post materials, each top rail material has its own pricing:
- $ Wood
- $$ Aluminum
- $$$ Stainless Steel
In addition, the larger the diameter of a top rail the more it will cost per linear foot. Adding complexity to the top railing will also add to cost. For example, custom profiles and curved top rails will add to the complexity of the rail. At an additional cost, Keuka Studios can also design custom top rails to fit a stair transition.
Design and Style of Railing Posts
We offer five signature post designs that vary in complexity. Our sleekest and simplest design, the Ithaca Style, takes the least time and materials to construct. In contrast, our Prairie Style posts feature an ornate and unique design. Each post has a herringbone pattern which takes time and precision to create.
- $ Ithaca Style
- $$ Tokyo Style
- $$$ Chicago Style
- $$$$ Keuka Style
- $$$$$ Prairie Style
Thinking of submitting a request for a quote but not sure which cable railing post style you like best? Feel free to request multiple quotes and compare pricing between styles, materials, and finishes.
Total Height of the Railing
Furthermore, the cable railing height influences the overall cost of the railing per linear foot.
Our standard heights are 36” and 42” tall, though we can also make posts with custom heights depending on your local building codes. A standard 36” tall cable railing uses 11 infill cables and a 42” tall cable railing uses 13. In general, you can expect a 42” tall railing to cost approximately 18 percent more per linear foot than a 36” tall railing. A taller post will require more cables, more cable fittings, and additional post material.
The Diameter of the Cable in the Railing
Lastly, the diameter of the cables used for the railing infill slightly changes the price of the railing. On average, you can expect to spend around $.50 per linear foot for 1/8” diameter stainless steel cable and around $1.00 per linear foot for 3/16” diameter stainless steel cable. Multiply this by 11 cables for a 36” high railing and 13 for a 42” high railing and you can expect to spend $5.50 – $11 or $6.60 – $13 per linear foot for the cable alone. We offer 1/8” stainless steel cable fittings and 3/16” stainless steel cable fittings at the same price. Upon request, we also offer specialty fittings for larger cables, for example, cables with a 1/4” or 5/16” diameter.
Deck and Cable Railing Pricing Examples
Example Railing Project A
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck A = 28 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $192 per ft | $211 per ft | $216 per ft | $265 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $216 per ft | $235 per ft | $245 per ft | $303 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $225 per ft | $245 per ft | X | $318 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $225 per ft | $245 per ft | X | $318 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $290 per ft | $309 per ft | X | $421 pe ft | |
Example B: No stairs, rectangular layout, fewer posts needed
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck B = 55 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $144 per ft | $160 per ft | $163 per ft | $200 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $157 per ft | $173 per ft | $178 per ft | $221 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $169 per ft | $185 per ft | X | $239 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $169 per ft | $185 per ft | X | $239 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $215 per ft | $231 per ft | X | $313 per ft | |
Example Project C: Simple layout, fewer posts
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck C = 30.5 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $180 per ft | $197 per ft | $199 per ft | $235 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $199 per ft | $215 per ft | $221 per ft | $264 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $205 per ft | $221 per ft | X | $274 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $205 per ft | $221 per ft | X | $274 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $249 per ft | $265 per ft | X | $344 per ft | |
Custom Stair Railing Pricing: Example Layouts
Custom Stair Railing Example A: Straight Stair
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair A = 34 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $200 per ft | $218 per ft | $226 per ft | $277 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $220 per ft | $237 per ft | $249 per ft | $308 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $245 per ft | $262 per ft | X | $348 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $245 per ft | $262 per ft | X | $348 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $322 per ft | $340 per ft | X | $472 per ft | |
Example Stair Layout B: L-Shaped Stair, more posts needed
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair B = 40 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $235 per ft | $252 per ft | $262 per ft | $315 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $259 per ft | $277 per ft | $291 per ft | $355 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $278 per ft | $296 per ft | X | $385 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $278 per ft | $292 per ft | X | $385 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $353 per ft | $370 per ft | X | $504 per ft | |
Example Stair C: U-Shaped Stair, End and Intermediate Posts Only
| Cable Railing Post Style |
Cable Railing Post Material | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair C = 32 ft | Powder Coated Steel |
Galvanized and Powder Coated Steel |
Machined Solid Aluminum |
Stainless Steel |
|
| Ithaca Style | $289 per ft | $310 per ft | $323 per ft | $391 per ft | |
| Tokyo Style | $323 per ft | $345 per ft | $364 per ft | $447 per ft | |
| Keuka Style | $341 per ft | $363 per ft | X | $475 per ft | |
| Chicago Style | $341 per ft | $363 per ft | X | $475 per ft | |
| Prairie Style | $433 per ft | $455 per ft | X | $623 per ft | |
Discounts and Minimum Orders
Tradesman discounts are available. A standard 15% discount is offered to builders and architects and further discounting is available for large projects. Request a quote today for more details. All cable railing projects are subject to a $5,000 minimum order.
