Horizontal vs. Vertical Cable Railing: Pros, Cons, Safety, and Design

black cable deck railing wiserail

Cable railing has become one of the most popular ways to give a deck a clean, modern look. It’s easy to see why. Instead of thick wood balusters blocking your view, thin stainless steel cables let you enjoy more of your backyard, pool, lake, or mountain scenery. But once you decide to install cable railing, …

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How Much Does Aluminum Deck Railing Cost?

SEL Timberlake 007 SD SIG Mesh Railing BK porch web

If you’re planning a new deck or replacing an old railing, you’ve probably noticed aluminum deck railing showing up everywhere. And for good reason. It’s strong, attractive, requires very little maintenance, and can last for decades without the headaches you get with traditional wood railings. But here’s the question we hear from homeowners all the …

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Trex vs. TimberTech vs. Deckorators Railing: Which System Is Best for Your Deck?

Trex Select Railing

When homeowners start planning a new deck, they usually spend most of their time choosing the decking. They’ll compare colors, look at wood grain patterns, research warranties, and debate whether to go with composite, PVC, or natural hardwood. Then comes the railing. I’ve been in the decking industry for 20 years, and I can tell …

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Happy Halloween! The Scariest Deck Problems We’ve Seen: 10 Deck Building Mistakes That Can Come Back to Haunt You

rotting pressure treated wood framing web scaled

Halloween is here, and while most people are busy decorating their homes with skeletons, cobwebs, and jack o’ lanterns, we’ve got something a little scarier to talk about. Deck Building Mistakes… After more than 20 years in the decking industry, I’ve seen some pretty frightening things. I’m not talking about haunted houses or ghosts hiding …

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Should You Use Joist Tape Under Hardwood Decking? Here’s What 20 Years in the Decking Industry Has Taught Me

Joist tape install

When homeowners invest in premium hardwood decking like Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, or Teak, they usually spend a lot of time comparing wood species, board sizes, and finishes. However, there’s one part of the deck most people barely think about until something goes wrong: the framing underneath it. After more than 20 years in the decking …

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