FOLLOW US

Your indoor stairway design can create a big impact on your home’s overall style.  When homeowners choose an indoor cable railing project to define their stairway’s design, the results are always impressive.

Not only is cable railing designed to be safe and low maintenance, it can also enhance any residential or commercial project. Here’s our favorite indoor stairway design using cable railing, featuring high-performing stainless steel and aluminum railing for optimized style and effective protection.

Highlight Your Home With Cable Railing

Stairways are often one of the first things people see when they open the front door.

“Although it’s not necessarily the focal point of your home, or the place where you spend the most time, it’s still a very important area,” states Country Living. Homeowners that are looking for ways to create a visual impact with their interior design should invest attention in their staircase.on 

This homeowner was able to create a stunning first impression by featuring large pieces of art on both the main and second floors, along with plenty of windows in the entryway. The home’s stairway design beautifully helps direct attention toward the impressive paintings.

The featured cable railing systems are easily adaptable to any kind of project, whether it’s an interior stairway or exterior deck. And because of the open design of the railing, your home feels larger, thanks to the unobstructed views. The cable railing helps to achieve this impressive open style in the home, but it delivers more than aesthetic benefits.

Because the home’s design allows for more natural light and outdoor views, the homeowners will receive multiple health benefits including increased vitamin D, higher productivity levels, better sleep and more.

Give Authentic Design Room to Shine

The home’s second floor design is just as stunning as the main floor; the homeowner included more bold visual art in the stairway landing space to showcase their personal taste and give it a more finished look.

“One of the most difficult things to do with a room is to define it with an overall aesthetic that ties the space and its furnishings together. Large abstract paintings are perfect for this goal since they can be interacted with according to their aesthetic values,” according to IdeelArt.

“Formal artistic elements within a painting such as line, color, texture, shape and pattern, can set the tone, so to speak, for an overall design by creating a visual language for the room”, Ideel Art continues. Because this large black-and-white piece is the focus of the space, other design elements in the room follow its visual direction.

By using the featured cable railing design on their indoor cable railing project, the look is enhanced even further. Everyone in the home can enjoy unobstructed views of the art, the landing area and the openness of the entire space, whether they are on the first or second floor.

modern interior railing

Modern Design With Integrity

Even though the cable railing design here is minimal, the RailFX® fittings and cable products used come with strength and structural integrity guaranteed. All of the fittings and cables are tested to durability requirements. The railing systems work in indoor and outdoor projects, and in both residential and commercial applications.

The featured cable and railing fittings are available as part of the FlexFX program, so homeowners can create any indoor cable railing project design (with wood, metal, or sleeved end posts) along with FlexFX stainless steel fittings and cable to fit their personal style.

The cable can be cut and instered into the hardware on-site easily and the fittings screw into the posts. Plus, FlexFX features our exclusive Push-Lock® fittings which do not require any special tools for installation. Simply push the cable into the fitting and it locks.

The kits come with hardware fittings for both ends of the cable run, all fasteners necessary, your choice of cable and installation instructions. Some kits also come with the option of purchasing an accompanying tool kit.

RailFX interior rail
RailFX interior

Solutions for Your Indoor Cable Railing Project Stairway Design

“In a sense a stair is one of the most important pieces of architecture in a home,” writes architect Bud Dietrich for Houzz. Stairways are a focal point in many interior designs and are frequently used to capture life’s big moments (like prom or wedding pictures).

“And as a day-to-day utilitarian item, a stair is a wonderful way to choreograph movement through a home,” writes Bud. “It’s no wonder that architects and designers spend so much time designing stairs, and that true craftspeople build stairs that are absolute joys.”

When homeowners choose a cable railing system in their stairway design, the possibilities (and solutions) are limitless. Using RailFX® cable railing products helps homeowners achieve open design, long-lasting style and structural integrity in their project.

Modern Interior Rail

By working with RailFX, you get the highest quality aluminum railing systems, stainless steel fittings and stainless steel cables; all of which work together to create a stunning stairway design. You can contact us with questions about your next project, and get a quote on your job within 48 hours.

At its heart, a railing is about safety. Whether indoors or outdoors, railings are there to protect you, your family and friends from an elevation. Every railing installed both inside and outside your home has to meet rigorous building code standards to ensure your safety. These requirements can include:

  • Railing height
  • Post Spacing
  • Materials
  • Fasteners

When you think about it, railings can be found throughout your home. Along with obvious applications, railings can help you safely navigate a staircase or define the boundaries of an outdoor living area. We also see them used at the edge of a sunken living room, around a balcony or along a loft or upper-story walkway.

Consequently, when it’s time to upgrade or replace them, you need to think about more than just their function. Price, materials, aesthetics, longevity and maintenance are all factors to consider when choosing the railing system styles that are right for you.

Railing System Styles: Materials

Wood

Wood is known as the most traditional and classic railing material. If you are replacing an existing railing system, especially inside your home, the odds are some or all of it is made from wood.

A wood railing system can be made entirely of wood, including the posts, top rail and pickets, or it may include other materials, like glass, iron rods or cable.

Therefore, wood is a great option because it’s not overly expensive to install. You can paint or stain it any color to coordinate with other features in your home. Depending on your project and technical capabilities, you may be able to install a wood railing yourself. Many suppliers offer wood railing kits, with the necessary fittings and hardware.

Unfortunately, interior wood railings have become dated instead of classic over the years. While they were the builder-grade standard for a long time, today’s contractors tend to use other modern materials, such as aluminum, iron or steel.

Finally, the downside to wood, particularly for outdoor applications in areas with extreme weather, high humidity or precipitation, is it’s not long-lasting. For instance, without regular maintenance, including cleaning and staining, wood will dry out and splinter, rot and go moldy due to moisture, or be susceptible to pests.

wood railing

vinyl railing

Vinyl

Vinyl is among the most affordable, and it can come in a variety of colors to match your home’s exterior. It is reasonably maintenance-free, needing only an occasional cleaning to remove any debris or dirt, so it will cost you very little over its lifetime.

The downside to vinyl, along with its limitations related to its overall strength, is its durability. Although vinyl’s color technology has improved over time, it is still prone to fading, particularly when placed outside. Additionally, vinyl is not ideal for extreme hot or cold climates, where it can warp or crack, which will require it to be replaced.

Steel 

When it comes to strength and durability, steel is, hands-down, the winner. However, steel, particularly stainless steel, is the most expensive railing material.

A steel railing system can consist entirely of steel components for the posts, top rail and pickets, or it can incorporate other materials like cable and glass. However, the weight of steel can make it difficult for the average DIYer to install themselves.

Finally, a steel railing, like stainless steel, is virtually maintenance-free and is more resistant to corrosion (when maintained properly). Homeowners worried about durability and longevity can consider options like 306L or 2205 stainless steel. They are rated for corrosive environments like near the ocean.

If you’re concerned about the look of a steel railing system, some steel can be painted. You’ll need to make sure the color you want is available in metal-compatible paints. Additionally, be prepared—particularly for outdoor railings—to repaint as needed.

 

steel railing

Aluminum

Aluminum makes a great alternative to steel. It’s better suited for a savvy DIYer as its lighter weight makes it easier to move around and install compared to steel. Additionally, aluminum railings also tend to be less expensive than steel, while sacrificing very little in strength and durability.

Many suppliers of aluminum railings offer a variety of color finishes. Before the railing is finished in the color of your choice, it is pre-treated to help improve aluminum’s overall corrosion resistance. The treatment along with the color options make them a flexible option to fit with any design aesthetics.

Finally, once they’re installed, aluminum railings are virtually maintenance-free, and have a greater lifetime value over wood and vinyl.

aluminum railing
glass railing

Glass

From a maintenance perspective, glass inserts are relatively low-maintenance. For exterior railings, you can clean them as often as you clean your exterior windows. However, they are known to weather and become cloudy over time. For interior applications, clean them as needed—like when you notice fingerprints after guests come for a visit.

Glass can be heavy and if not handled properly, can crack during installation. Therefore, we suggest you hire a professional to manage the installation.

Cable

Cable railing systems are becoming increasingly popular. Most often made from stainless steel, these high-tension cables balance the need for safety while creating limited visual distraction. They’re well suited for both indoor and outdoor uses.

Cable railing systems work with nearly any type of post material, including aluminum, steel, composite sleeves and wood.

Material options like 316-grade stainless steel make cable railing corrosion-resistant and well-suited to seaside environments. 316-grade stainless steel contains chromium, nickel and 2-3% molybdenum, with the molybdenum included to resist pitting and corrosion by most chemicals, as well as resist saltwater corrosion.

Additionally, like other metal railing options, cables only need an occasional cleaning to look good.

Compared to other railing components, cable is relatively lightweight and the hardware is fairly easy to use. However, the key to a code-compliant cable railing system is achieving the necessary tension; you may want to bring in a professional to install it.

RailFX Cable Railing for Balconies
RailFX Cable Railing for Balconies

Railing System Styles: Which Is Right for You?

To make the right decision when choosing a new railing system, here are some ways to compare different factors.

stair railing

Price

Material

Installation Costs

Maintenance Costs

Wood

$

$$

Vinyl

$

$

Steel

$$

$

Aluminum

$

$

Wood (with glass)

$

$$

Vinyl (with glass)

$

$

Steel (with glass)

$$

$

Aluminum (with glass)

$

$

Wood (with cable)

$

$$

Steel (with cable)

$$

$

Aluminum (with cable)

$

$

View

Material

View

Wood (pickets)

Limited view

Vinyl (pickets)

Limited view

Steel (pickets)

Limited view

Aluminum (pickets)

Limited view

Wood (with glass)

Uninterrupted view

Vinyl (with glass)

Uninterrupted view

Steel (with glass)

Uninterrupted view

Aluminum (with glass)

Uninterrupted view

Wood (with cable)

Uninterrupted view

Steel (with cable)

Uninterrupted view

Aluminum (with cable)

Uninterrupted view

Durability

(1 – somewhat durable to 3 – very durable)

Material

Durability

Wood

2 (with regular maintenance to prevent rot)

Vinyl

1

Steel

3

Aluminum

3

Ease of Installation

Material

Ease of Installation

Wood

DIY

Vinyl

DIY

Steel

Professional

Aluminum

DIY/Professional

Wood (with glass)

Professional

Vinyl (with glass)

Professional

Steel (with glass)

Professional

Aluminum (with glass)

Professional

Wood (with cable)

DIY/Professional

Steel (with cable)

DIY/Professional

Aluminum (with cable)

DIY/Professional

Ready to Choose Your Railing System Styles?

A railing is a critical component of your home’s design and safety. Not only does it serve a functional purpose, the railings need to complement your home’s design, look and feel.

For more information on choosing the right indoor or outdoor railing system for your home, visit us.

cable railings by the ocean