Explore Bellointeriors ultimate Cable Railing Guide for sleek design, durability, and modern aesthetics, perfect for transforming any space with both style and functionality.
Table of Contents
Cable Railing Guide
Crafted for DIY homeowners, Bellointeriors cable railing system leads the horizontal railing industry. With simple components and unique hardware, it’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor projects. Upgrade with Onyx or Endurance rods to match your style or environment.
Cable railing is favored for three key reasons:
- Sleek cable lines provide unobstructed views of your surroundings.
- Its minimalistic design offers a modern touch that traditional railings lack.
- Built with natural strength and exceptional architectural integrity.
Explore BelloInteriors cable railing guide to analyze its components and discover why it’s ideal for decks or stairways. Curious about cable railing?
Cable Railing Posts
What are they?
Bellointeriors cable railing posts are designed to support the entire system. They stabilize the cable wire, preventing deflection over time, and support the handrail—whether wood, stainless steel, or aluminum—keeping it straight and secure. (What’s the difference between aluminum and stainless steel posts?)
What benefits do they have?
Cable railing posts are designed to conceal all system components. Unlike bulky outdoor railing posts with visible hardware, which can pose a safety hazard and detract from aesthetics, cable railing posts feature internal connectors that keep the cable wires hidden. They also offer unique designs for corner installations.
What do I need to install them?
Posts are one of the first and most important steps in the installation process. You’ll need foot covers, handrail brackets, an installation kit, and essential tools like a power drill and driver.
Each aluminum or steel post is custom-made for your project to ensure an easier installation process. You provide the measurements, and we pre-drill holes at the perfect spacing, alignment, and angle. Depending on your cable railing kit, you’ll need either the Cable Rail Installation Kit, DriveTite Installation Kit, or both. These kits include specialized tools to mount the posts onto your deck or stair treads with ease.
What are they made out of?
- What are they made of?
- Cable railing posts are crafted from:
- 304 Stainless Steel
- 2205 Stainless Steel
- Aluminum (with a brushed stainless steel finish)
What Kind of Post Should I Use?
This simple guide explains the different types of posts that will best suit your cable railing system. All Bellointeriors railing posts are designed for both durability and style.
“I want the post to go on top of my level deck or stair treads.”
For this, use a Surface Mount Cable Railing Post. These posts are designed with level hardware to mount flush against your deck or treads, ensuring a clean and secure installation.
- 2205 Stainless Steel
- Aluminum – interior or exterior
- 304 Stainless Steel – interior or exterior
Available in 36”, 39”, or 42” handrail heights
Available in the following colors:
- Brushed Stainless
- Black
- Bone White
- Colonial Grey
- Fashion Grey
- And more
“I want to conserve space on my staircase or deck.”
Use a Side Mount Cable Railing Post. These posts are designed to be mounted on the side of stair treads and decks. With sufficient blocking depth and a 6″ height for mounting, you can attach these posts directly to the fascia board of your deck. This design helps save valuable space by positioning the posts on the sides of the deck rather than at the edges. When mounting on a stairway, ensure there is enough clearance on each side of the staircase to avoid obstruction with the ceiling line.
“I want to install the post on my concrete deck or patio.”
I need a post with extra structural support, or I want to install somewhere other than a wood deck.
Use a Concrete Mount Post for added structural support. These posts feature a wider base foot, making them ideal for concrete decks or patio installations. They come with fasteners specifically designed for non-wood deck projects. Additionally, the core drill post option allows you to install the post directly into the ground, ensuring a secure and stable setup.
How should I space my posts?
We recommend spacing posts no more than 4 feet apart for optimal cable railing performance. Building codes require proper post spacing to prevent excessive deflection, and placing a post every 4 feet helps maintain stability. This ensures that your railing remains secure and strong, preventing sagging over time and keeping the handrail in place.
Universal Top Posts
- Ideal for angled decks or stairs
- Available in all powder coat finishes
- Adjustable bracket functionality
- Each post includes a socket screw for easy installation
Flat Top Posts
- Perfect for level decks or stair treads
- Available in all powder coat finishes
- Minimalist design for a sleek look
- Sturdy, reliable design for long-lasting support
Cable railing handrail
What is it?
A cable railing handrail adds stability and strength to the system, acting as a safety barrier to prevent falls. Supported by the cable railing posts, it is typically mounted to the wall. Its primary function is durability, ensuring it withstands regular use over time.
What benefits does it have?
The handrail acts as a safety barrier while enhancing the aesthetic of the railing system.
- Pairing cable railing with a metal handrail creates a sleek, modern look, ideal for minimalist or industrial homes.
- Pairing with a wood handrail adds a traditional touch, balancing the modern feel with a more classic statement.
What is it made out of?
Cable railing handrails are made from:
- Wood – Options include Ash, Hard Maple, and Red Oak
- Stainless Steel – Available for interior, exterior, coastal, or extreme coastal environments
- Aluminum – Suitable for both interior and exterior use
A Guide to using Metal Handrail
For metal handrails (stainless steel or aluminum), you may need to cut the material to the correct length on-site using a chop saw with a stainless steel cutting blade. This saw ensures straight, 90° cuts. You will also need brackets to attach the handrail to the posts, which are available in 90° orientations.
A Guide to using Wood Handrail
Wood handrails are often used in more traditional settings. If installing indoors, you may need to cut the handrail to the correct length on-site using a chop saw. For corners, either join the handrail pieces together or miter them at a 45° angle and glue them.
For outdoor installations, use the Endurance Series wood, thermally modified to resist moisture, rot, and the elements without chemicals.
Installation Tip
First, line up all components (brackets, railing) to mount the handrail without securing them. Mark all the holes for drilling, then drill using the attachment as a guide. Afterward, ensure the components are in place with screws.
Cable Railing Kits & Wiring
Onyx and Endurance Rod Infill Upgrades
Onyx and Endurance Rod Infill Upgrades
Bellointeriors is committed to providing the best cable railing system customized to your needs. We offer unique upgrades not only for the posts and handrails but also for the infill of your railing.
Our two primary infill upgrades are:
- Onyx rods – Slim metal tubes powder-coated in matte black for a sleek, modern finish.
- Endurance rods – 1/4″ groove-less rods made from 2205 stainless steel, nearly rust-proof and offering the same thickness as cable.
But the customization doesn’t end there.
The DriveTite Kits: What are they?
Cable railing posts are designed to neatly conceal all the components inside, and DriveTite makes this possible for wood posts with hidden fastener technology.
Each DriveTite kit includes all the necessary tools to tension the cable on both angled and level runs. The components are crafted from premium, marine-grade 316 stainless steel for durability.
You can choose from two options:
- DriveTite Level Kit
- DriveTite Angled Kit
DriveTite Level Kit
The latest version of the DriveTite Level Kit offers a sleek, minimal design that hides all the hardware with a slim cover. It fastens to the face of the post with a single pilot hole, making it a perfect DIY solution for quick and easy installation.
This kit is ideal for mounting cable railing to solid posts at least 2 ½” thick or hollow posts with walls at least 1 ½” thick.
The kit includes:
- A receiver screw
- A threaded crimp fitting
- A DriveTite turn buckle
- A DriveTite receiver
- A lock washer
- A DriveTite cover
DriveTite Angled Kit
The DriveTite Angled Kit features a simple tensioning screw and barrel fitting that mounts directly to the surface of a wood post, requiring only a small pilot hole for drilling.
This kit is suitable for mounting cable railing to solid posts at least 2 ½” thick or hollow posts with walls at least 1 ½” thick.
The kit includes:
- A barrel fitting
- A cable stop crimp
- A surface cover
- A tube of silicone to secure the surface cover to the post
Cable Rail Installation Kit
Designed for use with the DriveTite System, the Cable Rail Installation Kit contains all the essential tools needed for a smooth installation. This comprehensive kit ensures you won’t need extra trips to the hardware store while providing the right tools.
The kit includes:
- Cable crimpers
- A cable cutter
- A 6″ T-30 Bit
- An insert sleeve driver
- A bundle of string
- A drill bushing/DriveTite wrench
- DriveTite fitting tool
- A 2 oz bottle of screw wax
Cutting cable
Start by measuring the distance between posts to determine the required cable length. Once you have the measurement, mark and cut the cable.
Use special cable cutters (included in the surface and crimped installation kits) to make clean cuts for the best results. Cutting and crimping one cable at a time for optimal accuracy is recommended.
Threading cable through
Place the threaded crimp fitting through the hole of a tensioning post, then thread the tension receiver onto the crimp fitting. Tighten it by 4 turns.
Don’t forget to add the Angle Washer to the Tension Receiver before threading it into the Threaded Crimp Fitting for angled applications.
Next, carefully thread the cable through each post.
If you’re using adhesive sleeves, it’s time to install them!
- Use a clean rag to wipe the area where the sleeves will be placed.
- Peel off the backing without touching the adhesive.
- Press the sleeve against the post and apply moderate pressure for 3-5 seconds to ensure a secure fit.
Wire
Start by placing the guide pin at the end of the threaded crimp fitting to align the threads with the tension receiver at your final post. Make the cables snug, but don’t tighten them yet — wait until all cables are threaded and tensioned.
Once all cables are threaded, use your Allen wrench and tightening tool (included in the surface installation and crimped installation kits) to tighten the cable in the middle of the post. Work out from the center, tightening from both ends to ensure the threaded crimp fitting is securely inserted into the post, allowing space for the sleeve.
Stop tightening once the cable is taut, and use the tightening tool to hold the fittings in place, ensuring the cable doesn’t spin during tightening.
For angled installations, start by crimping and attaching the bottom end first. This lets gravity help hold the guide pin when aligning and attaching tension receivers at the top.
If you’re using steel insert sleeves, place them on the cable as it’s threaded through the posts and tap them into place with the wood block provided in your tool kit.
Cable Railing Wire is sold in bundles for convenience.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap! You’re ready to purchase a cable railing system for your stairs, deck, or any other project. For more details, check out our related topics or get in touch with our experts at +1 (832) 366‑6336
