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How Rod Railing Is Revolutionizing Railings and Stairs
Upgrading your staircase or deck? See why new low-maintenance rod railing is a great alternative to traditional cable
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The right railing for your staircase or deck doesn’t just look good, it also provides safety, ease of maintenance and unobstructed views and light. Durable, minimalist cable railing has been a popular option for years, but a new product — rod railing — has entered the market and offers better long-term performance, quicker installation and the sleek, contemporary look homeowners want. Read on to discover more about how rod railing could be the right choice inside and outside your home.
Rod vs. Cable Railing
Rod and cable railing are both made from stainless steel and have a clean, minimalist appearance. Both can be used inside and out, such as on a staircase inside your home or on an outdoor deck. But structurally they are quite different. Viewrail’s rod railings are ¼-inch hollow stainless steel rods, whereas the brand’s cable railings are made from corded strands of fine stainless steel cable. Rod railings have a smooth, sleek appearance compared with the textural look of cable railings.
Price-wise, rod railings come in slightly higher than cable railings. But, like anything, you get what you pay for: Rod railings offer several advantages over cable, including faster and easier installation, superior durability (especially in coastal areas) and more design options.
Rod and cable railing are both made from stainless steel and have a clean, minimalist appearance. Both can be used inside and out, such as on a staircase inside your home or on an outdoor deck. But structurally they are quite different. Viewrail’s rod railings are ¼-inch hollow stainless steel rods, whereas the brand’s cable railings are made from corded strands of fine stainless steel cable. Rod railings have a smooth, sleek appearance compared with the textural look of cable railings.
Price-wise, rod railings come in slightly higher than cable railings. But, like anything, you get what you pay for: Rod railings offer several advantages over cable, including faster and easier installation, superior durability (especially in coastal areas) and more design options.
Easier to Install
One of the major benefits of rod railing is its fast and easy installation. “We’ve designed our rods to be cut and fit in approximately half the time compared to cable,” says Austin Williamson, director of business development at Viewrail. This translates to hours, if not days, less in installation time. Cutting, deburring and crimping DIY-friendly rod railing is quicker and simpler too, which is great news if this is a job you’ve decided to tackle yourself.
One of the major benefits of rod railing is its fast and easy installation. “We’ve designed our rods to be cut and fit in approximately half the time compared to cable,” says Austin Williamson, director of business development at Viewrail. This translates to hours, if not days, less in installation time. Cutting, deburring and crimping DIY-friendly rod railing is quicker and simpler too, which is great news if this is a job you’ve decided to tackle yourself.
Less Maintenance
Few of us want to spend hours of our free time on outdoor maintenance. With easy-to-maintain rod railing, you can claim your weekends back. There are no grooves in rod railing, which makes cleaning a breeze. And it doesn’t sag like cable railing can, so you rarely, if ever, have to re-tension the rods.
Allie Lundeen, an expert DIYer, small-business owner and social media influencer from Minnesota, and her husband, Ryan, installed Viewrail Onyx rod railing on the deck of their renovated lakeside cabin to provide the safety, style and water views they were after. “We’ve had it for two years now, we haven’t had to touch it … there’s no fading, there’s nothing. It’s weathered really well,” Ryan says. “No maintenance — it’s been amazing,” adds Allie.
Few of us want to spend hours of our free time on outdoor maintenance. With easy-to-maintain rod railing, you can claim your weekends back. There are no grooves in rod railing, which makes cleaning a breeze. And it doesn’t sag like cable railing can, so you rarely, if ever, have to re-tension the rods.
Allie Lundeen, an expert DIYer, small-business owner and social media influencer from Minnesota, and her husband, Ryan, installed Viewrail Onyx rod railing on the deck of their renovated lakeside cabin to provide the safety, style and water views they were after. “We’ve had it for two years now, we haven’t had to touch it … there’s no fading, there’s nothing. It’s weathered really well,” Ryan says. “No maintenance — it’s been amazing,” adds Allie.
Ideal for Coastal Environments
When you’re building or remodeling in a coastal area where corrosion is rife and features such as railing are exposed to the elements 24/7, you need to pay careful attention to choosing the right materials. Viewrail’s stainless steel rod railing is tough enough to cope in even the harshest coastal conditions. It’s made from 2205 ultra marine-grade stainless steel, which is the same material used on deep-sea oil rigs. This means it’s highly durable and rust-resistant, giving you peace of mind that it will look great and perform brilliantly whatever the weather throws at it.
When you’re building or remodeling in a coastal area where corrosion is rife and features such as railing are exposed to the elements 24/7, you need to pay careful attention to choosing the right materials. Viewrail’s stainless steel rod railing is tough enough to cope in even the harshest coastal conditions. It’s made from 2205 ultra marine-grade stainless steel, which is the same material used on deep-sea oil rigs. This means it’s highly durable and rust-resistant, giving you peace of mind that it will look great and perform brilliantly whatever the weather throws at it.
Longer-Lasting
The railing you choose for your staircase or deck will be a focal point of your home for years to come, so you want it to last. Rod railings are designed to provide superior safety and good looks for decades. Any bends or creases in rod railings are easily smoothed out, which means your railing maintains its stunning appearance for longer.
They’re also backed by an impressive warranty. Viewrail offers a 10-year warranty for its rod railings in coastal environments when you specify a protective fluoropolymer powder coating.
The railing you choose for your staircase or deck will be a focal point of your home for years to come, so you want it to last. Rod railings are designed to provide superior safety and good looks for decades. Any bends or creases in rod railings are easily smoothed out, which means your railing maintains its stunning appearance for longer.
They’re also backed by an impressive warranty. Viewrail offers a 10-year warranty for its rod railings in coastal environments when you specify a protective fluoropolymer powder coating.
Design Flexibility
Hoping to create a unique look? Rod railings allow you to flex your creative muscle when it comes to the design details in and around your home. Unlike cable railing, which can be installed only in a straight line, rod railing can be curved or shaped to suit your home’s exact layout or aesthetic.
It’s the perfect choice if you have a statement curved staircase. Viewrail’s rod railing can be ordered in any length from 2 to 20 feet (in 1-foot increments), and it can be bent to precise and consistent curves. And like all Viewrail products, the rod railing uses hidden fasteners to keep the look sleek and simple.
On-trend color is also an option when you choose Viewrail rod railings. In addition to a classic stainless steel finish, you can select a matte black Onyx finish for posts and rods and add a bold, modern touch to your interior or exterior. For the Lundeens, their Viewrail rod railing in Onyx was the making of their deck redesign. “The railing was for sure the showstopper on our exterior makeover of the cabin,” Allie says.
More: To learn more about Viewrail’s rod railing and cable railing, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Hoping to create a unique look? Rod railings allow you to flex your creative muscle when it comes to the design details in and around your home. Unlike cable railing, which can be installed only in a straight line, rod railing can be curved or shaped to suit your home’s exact layout or aesthetic.
It’s the perfect choice if you have a statement curved staircase. Viewrail’s rod railing can be ordered in any length from 2 to 20 feet (in 1-foot increments), and it can be bent to precise and consistent curves. And like all Viewrail products, the rod railing uses hidden fasteners to keep the look sleek and simple.
On-trend color is also an option when you choose Viewrail rod railings. In addition to a classic stainless steel finish, you can select a matte black Onyx finish for posts and rods and add a bold, modern touch to your interior or exterior. For the Lundeens, their Viewrail rod railing in Onyx was the making of their deck redesign. “The railing was for sure the showstopper on our exterior makeover of the cabin,” Allie says.
More: To learn more about Viewrail’s rod railing and cable railing, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Combining the highest quality materials with innovative design, Viewrail is a stand-out manufacturer of simple... Read More
Combining the highest quality materials with innovative design, Viewrail is a stand-out manufacturer of simple... Read More
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Be aware that some cities building codes do no allow for this type of "barrier."
Designs and materials like this acts like a climb-able ladder for young kids to scale and then topple over to be seriously injured or worse from a fall way down to the lower floor etc.
check codes, be aware if you do this type of railing watch small children that are in the home.
I see many architectural designs that don't meet code in the mags. I do not like leaving liability (potential injury or worse) time bombs in my projects. They don't really meet code even if installed vertically because they allow a ball/sphere of X size (per code) to pass through the railings - and all horizontal railing is tempting to children. Mostly I go with alternatives. I've put cable railings in my home and one other project - it was very heavy cable under a lot of tension and short spans.
In a show home with adults only, sure go for it. I do like worry free sleep.
I too think of vulnerability and future owners! I am thinking of doing a diagonal cable or rod look on a loft railing makeover!