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Kids Love San Diego Cable Railings

Keep Your Children and Pets Safe Without Spoiling the View! We recently launched a new page on our website addressing some popular questions on the topic of cable railings and child safety. Children and parents alike love our railings because of the sleek aesthetics and sturdy construction. Animals love cable railings because they have the ability maintain a safe barrier without making our pets feel contained or confined.  Here are some additional reasons to consider an SDCR cable railing system for your indoor and outdoor living spaces: Stainless Cable Systems Offer a Modern Look and Feel A Wide Variety of Design Options, Colors and Materials Available No Glass to Clean! No Little Fingerprints  Safe, Code Compliant and Engineered Products for Permit Submittals T316 Stainless Offers Unmatched Durability and Corrosion Resistance Cable Railings are DIY Friendly! SDCR team members are always available by phone or online to answer questions and provide estimates for your project. We have DIY packages available, as well as expert preferred installers if you prefer a turn key railing project. For more information about why kids love San Diego Cable Railings, give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page.   Kids Love San Diego Cable Railings    

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cable railings photo gallery

San Diego Cable Railings Photo Gallery

Awesome Ideas and Project Inspirations Inside the San Diego Cable Railings Photo Gallery Whether you’re planning a deck project, fence or an interior/exterior remodel; SDCR has a collection of professional and user submitted job photos to help. We are frequently adding new jobs and updating our portfolio to showcase the versatility and wide variety of applications that our railing systems provide. In addition to the San Diego Cable Railings photo gallery, our pro page at Houzz.com is an awesome resource for company history, awards and customer reviews. What makes our images and products unique? Preferred Installers– Many of our job photos come from jobs completed by our preferred installers. The feedback and experience from each project enables us to constantly improve our products and services. Our preferred installers frequently pass actual building inspections utilizing exclusively SDCR products. Engineering and Testing– SDCR offers engineered cable railing packages for project submittal all over the state of California. We do in house testing on our products, as well as field visits and site evaluations on finished projects. Code compliant, proven products are showcased throughout our website and photo gallery.  Testimonials- A review of our testimonials will showcase the level of customer service we provide. We take great pride in this; and we are passionate about our products and services. Our cable railing pros combine decades of specialized deck and railing experience.  In addition to our online resources, our sales staff has hundreds of application photos for all different types of cable railing projects. Each project can have unique factors, and we believe we have solutions for every applicable scenario. If there is something you would like to see or have a specific question about; give us a call at 844-277-7327. One of our sales staff members will provide information and photos that are job specific and may be of great assistance with your cable railing choices.  

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Landscape Lighting for Decks and Railings

San Diego Cable Railings and Highpoint Offer Landscape Lighting for Decks, Railings and Fencing Energy efficient and attractive, todays landscape lighting options can take your outdoor living experience  to the next level. When dealing with the elements and exterior construction projects, quality is of the utmost importance. For this reason we’ve teamed up with Highpoint Deck Lighting in order to offer sleek and attractive lighting options that are built to last. Much like the product line at SDCR, Highpoint lighting has been designed with the installer in mind. With LED options for both wooden and steel post systems, we can customize your railing posts or top railing selections for awesome outdoor lighting. Deck lighting can be installed by pros, or DIY installers. Whether your project calls for a sleek downlight for a vertical post installation, hidden keyhole light, or a strip for backlighting your top rails, we have what you need. Landscape lighting for decks and railings can add a finishing touch to any outdoor living project. A multitude of lighting options as well as the number of lights selected will determine the ambiance. Fewer lights will offer accents and maintain an intimate feel. Larger lights and a greater number of lights will provide illumination for entertaining and group settings. Outdoor lights can be mixed and matched as well as adjusted via the use of a dimmer to increase or decrease brightness. At SDCR we have post lighting options for both steel posts and wooden railing posts. Steel post lights are sleek and smaller in size; while wood post options will typically be larger. A variety of color options make customization simple. Additionally, we can make your installation a breeze with pre-drilled, accurate hole locations for easy mounting. Lighting packages contain all of the necessary parts required for a complete installation (transformer, wire, lighting, and exterior wire nuts). If you have questions about landscape lighting for decks and cable railings, contact our pros at 844-277-7327.  

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Cool Curves and Radius Railings

Installing Radius Railings and Curves Using    Stainless Steel Cables If you ask an experienced craftsman about creating curves with straight materials like lumber and steel; they will likely tell you it is a labor of love. Radius Railings take time and a good bit of patience, but the finished results can be spectacular and unique. Curves can be achieved on cable railings and cable fencing projects; here are some expert tips on how: Preparation- A scaled drawing is a great way to get an accurate vision of the curve you are creating. Softer curves will almost always be less difficult than tight curves. For example; many deck builders will encourage a minimum of 12′-16′ for a radius application. A scaled radius can be created on simple graph paper with the help of a protractor. Post Spacing- In order to maintain a curve, the distance in between railing posts must be shortened. As the cables exit the railing posts they will create their own angle towards the next railing post. Typically a 4′ post spacing call out will be shortened to 30″-36″. The tighter spacing will help create the illusion of curved cables. Skill Level- Radius Railings as well as curved decks can often require the skills of a professional. Bending pipes, bars, and/or creating curved wooden members can sometimes mean special equipment. Sometimes curved steel railing sections will be fabricated in one single piece to be attached in place at the job site. Do it yourselfers may consider having a curved top railing member professionally fabricated. A single piece of pre made top rail could then be attached to the DIY post and cable system. Safety- An important structural note about Radius Cable Railing applications is that every post included in a radius is under a tension load. On curved railings the cables are contacting every post perforation as well. Mixing dissimilar metals is not advised for curves. A stainless steel cable on stainless steel post contact is the best choice for radius railings.  Additionally, the use of engineered railing posts that are designed to sustain cable tension loads is an important consideration for curved cable railings. Questions about curves??? Talk to one of our pros at 844-277-7327 or use the quote request page!!

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Selecting Cable Rail Fittings

Choosing the Right Cable Rail Fittings for Your Project “Fittings”, “end hardware”, “tensioners” and “terminals” are all commonly used names for the stainless steel parts that terminate and tension cable runs. The quality and functionality of the fittings that are selected for each project will be an important safety factor. Additionally,  properly selected cable rail fittings will ensure that re-tensioning or tune ups down the road will be simple and productive. Function vs. Flare- Years of field experience and feedback from contractors and installers have taught us a lot about cable hardware. When it comes to tension longevity or passing an inspection, we opt for functionality over flare. Trying to use the most concealed or low profile fittings may not always serve the project at hand. It’s important to remember that the individual technical factors of each job should dictate the fitting selection; not just the aesthetic considerations. Low profile and hidden fittings are sleek and attractive, however at times they offer little room for adjustment. On several occasions our preferred installers have been called out to inspect and repair cable railings that are “slacked” or “loose”. Typically the fittings or assemblies have been purchased on “eBay” or some other retail or online outfits that just sell the products.  The cables have malfunctioned because the fittings selected did not provide enough tension capability. Upon installation they may have seemed tight; yet over time or due to acclimation they became loose, and provided no room for future adjustment. Many times these cables must be cut and new fittings must be purchased and installed. At SDCR all of our DIY cable assemblies are designed with strength and longevity in mind. We are happy to recommend cabling and hardware specifically catered to the job. Swaging vs. Crimping vs. Self Locking Fittings- Swaging is the process of joining pieces of metal together. A “machine swage” is usually done by the manufacturer via a hydraulic press. A machine swaged fitting to cable connection functions like a cold weld and is the strongest way to join cable and fittings.  Most often, one end of the cable assembly receives a machine swaged fitting. The other end will be completed in the field by hand crimping or utilization of a self locking fitting which allows the installer to cut and install at exact length.  Hand Crimped Fittings are installed in the field using a crimping tool which compresses the fitting on to the cable. Hand crimped cable rail fittings are the least expensive option; however crimping only provides about 70% of the strength of an actual swage. Crimping has been a cable rigging practice for decades and proven cost effective and durable. An approved cable crimping tool should always be used for architectural railing installations. Most recently Self Locking Fittings have become popular due to the ease of installation, with no need for crimping or swaging tools. Users can cut their cables and insert them directly into the fittings in one direction, while pulling in the other direction causes the fitting to grab tighter and tighter as tension is applied. Self Locking Fittings carry a premium for the convenience with the highest price point; however for DIY installers it can be well worth the cost. Another added benefit for the DIYer is the ability to release the self locking fitting if necessary.  At San Diego Cable Railings we offer a large selection of cable rail fittings. Treating each project individually and assessing unique job factors, our pros can help you select the right hardware for the job. If you have questions about any of our DIY cable assemblies or stainless steel hardware; give us a call at 844-277-7327 (SDCR) or visit the quote request page.  

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Cable Rail Cleaning and Care

CABLE RAIL CLEANING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR RAILINGS LOOKING NEW FOR DECADES A little bit of cleaner goes a long way.. Summertime is deck season nationwide and our exterior decks and railings are subjected to a multitude of harsh elements and UV rays. Here are some tips to keep all of the components of your railing system in top condition with little effort or expense. Fresh Water can be great for cleaning decks and railings if it is used sparingly and as long as all the components are allowed to dry. Keeping your railings clean will allow for the addition of penetrating wood oil finishes without the need for stripping or sanding.  Fresh water can help to remove environmental contaminants, salt crystals, dirt and buildup. A light duty pressure washer is a perfect tool for easy cleaning and can be purchased for less than 100$. Pressure washers reduce the amount of water use while providing a powerful cleaning mist. Pressure Wash wooden or steel top rails,  posts and cables on a low to medium setting. This should be done prior to using any cleaners or sealers. Allow all of the railing components to dry out thoroughly before cleaning or sealing. Mild sunny days are the preferred weather conditions. Stainless steel posts and cables can also be cleaned with a scotch brite pad and soapy water then rinsed clean. It is NOT RECOMMENDED to use steel wool, or any metallic scouring pads on stainless steel cable railings.  Stainless Steel Cleaner should be used as a final step to achieve a clean protective finish on railing frames and stainless cables. Lightweight oils in the cleaner can prevent airborne contaminants from pitting into posts and cables as well as repelling moisture and salt buildup. It’s very important to utilize only cleaning products designed for high quality stainless steel. Testing a small spot of cleaner in a non visible area is always a good idea on coated finishes. Penetrating Oils are amazing products for wood preservation. If your wood top railings are clean and dry it’s time to add the oil. A good test is to use an eye dropper to wet a small spot on the top railing. If it beads up then the finish is still heavy but if it soaks in then it could be time for another coat. Hardwoods like Ipe’ are difficult to penetrate for the first couple of years and require a couple of coats a year until the finish really soaks in. If you have questions about cable rail cleaning products or techniques used for our railing systems, give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page to submit your question.

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Wall Mounted Fences and Railings

Understanding Mounting Types and Different Style Options for Wall mounted Fences and Railings- Wall mounted fences and railings can offer some questions and challenges when it comes to rigidity. A good connection to solid structural masonry units is ideal. Here are a few common installation scenarios we have encountered, and some solutions for a successful end product. Block Walls- Cinder block walls are the most commonly encountered masonry fences and curbs in residential construction. Fences can usually be surface mounted or fascia mounted to a solid block wall. If the wall is hollow; the cells which support the fence post should be grouted solid. If the wall is capped like the one in our feature photo; the anchoring should penetrate past the wall caps into the solid wall. Threaded rods that are epoxied into the wall will function well. In addition, a variety of masonry anchors are suitable for mounting railing posts on to masonry walls. Keystone Blocks– Keystone blocks are very appealing to DIYers because of affordability and their easily stackable design. The blocks come in a variety of sizes and stack on top of each other. Keystone blocks are held in place by a lip on each block and the backfill pressure against the blocks. Keystone blocks are not typically a good choice for top mounted fence and railing posts because the top block can move. Fences and railings should be cast into concrete footings utilizing the compacted fill behind keystone walls for best results. Footing depth can vary for these types of installs. To learn more about keystone block walls- gardenclub.homedepot.com/build-a-retaining-wall-with-landscape-blocks/ Pony Walls- Also called knee walls, pony walls can be found inside and outside the house. They are typically wood framed and veneered in drywall (inside) or stucco, stone, tile (outside). Knee walls can be a great mounting frame for fence and railing posts. The most important considerations are the framing thickness and waterproofing. Pony wall top plates should have a 3″ net thickness in order to offer a good lag bolt connection. If a fascia mount is desired; wood blocks should be installed at the post locations.  Wooden framing members should be properly wrapped (waterproofed) in order to prevent water intrusion. Sealant should be used on all bolt threading and around the plates when installing the fence posts. Wall mounted fences and railings can be a beautiful improvement to interior and exterior spaces. If you have questions, our pros are here to help. 844-277-7327 (SDCR)

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grab rails, handrails, graspable railings

Graspable Handrails

Handrails and Grab Rails for Stairways and Cable Railing Kits If you have ever had a stairway constructed or inspected, you are probably familiar with some of the various terms used to describe “graspable handrails.” A “handrail” or “grab rail” is most commonly used to assist with support on one or both sides of a stairway. These types of graspable rails are sized so that users of all ages are capable of wrapping their hand completely around the railing member in order to assist in pulling themselves up stairs. When descending stairs, handrails are designed to provide support and security without blocking or projecting into the opening. Graspable rails can be constructed using a variety of wooden, steel, or stainless steel tubes or dowels. The most common dimension is 1.5″x 1.5″ for square members or 1.5″ diameter for round members. A graspable rail should not be smaller than 1.25″ or greater than 1.875″ in diameter. (Always check local codes) At San Diego Cable Railings we offer graspable railing members as well as the brackets and hardware necessary to mount the railings. Our handrail brackets can be powder coated to match any standard or stock color, metallics, and also furnished in bare stainless steel. We offer grab rail members in a variety of wood types as well as steel and stainless steel (see photo). Brackets can be wall mounted or attached to railing posts in order to properly support the grab rail. In California we have a standard 42″ height requirement for barrier rails, while grab rails need to fall between 34″ and 38″. This can be easily accomplished by mounting a grab rail to an opposite wall when available, or by attaching directly to the cable railing posts at the desired height. If you have questions about graspable handrails or whether or not they may be applicable to your project; our sales staff is here to help. Give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page. In most cases we can complete an assessment and produce a quote for your project in 24-48 hours.   

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cable fence, cable fences, stainless steel cable fence, cable fencing

Design/Build Ideas For Cable Fences

Professional Tips and Design Ideas for Stainless Cable Fences An attractive fence can serve as a cohesive design element in any new or existing landscape. Well planned outdoor designs will create a flow using a blend of colors and textures; no single element should stand out among the rest. The materials and colors we choose will largely determine the aesthetics and longevity of exterior cable fences. Consider the following information and construction ideas for your next fencing project: Wooden Posts and Rails– Using wood timbers for cable fences is an excellent way to create a natural look and a warmer feel than a vertical picket or rod iron fence. If durability is a concern when embedding wood posts “in ground” with concrete footings: A concrete casting tip for extending the life of wooden fence posts is to coat the bottom 12″-24″ (depending on footing depth) of the post with asphalt emulsion or asphalt fence paint prior to setting them in concrete. Using pressure treated wood timbers is another way to extend the life of any wood members making ground contact. In previous years the green color of pressure treated lumber was a turn off, but today most pressure treated utilizes a brown stain which tends to blend better with other woods/composites. Penetrating oil finishes and exterior paints also work well on wooden cable fences and provide the user with a multitude of natural and colored finish options. Steel Posts and Rails– Using steel members to construct your cable fence will typically increase the durability and minimize the visual profile of the fence frame. From a design perspective we should consider the age and style of the home as well as the existing landscape. A few tips for steel framed cable fences: Mild steel should never be considered as a material option for cable fences. The perforations will allow moisture to enter the posts and corrode them from the inside out. Galvanized and stainless steel fence posts are better options than raw steel or rod iron for exterior fences. A wooden top cap can really soften the look of any steel frame; especially outdoors. Additionally, you can avoid an industrial looking fence just by adding a simple piece of timber. Ipe’ hardwood lasts 30 to 50 years and will not jeopardize the durability of your fence. Cedar and Redwood are also popular cap choices. Choose colors that exist in place, or use bare stainless. Unless you are trying to showcase your fence, it should blend into the landscape. Grey tones and bare stainless steel with non reflective finishes are muted and work well for the most transparent fences.  Are you considering a stainless steel cable fence? We offer complete fencing packages and design assistance as well as nationwide shipping.  Give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page.    

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exterior wood types

Exterior Wood Types and Uses

Popular Wood Types and Top Choices for Outdoor Living Spaces IPE’ – Pronounced (ee-pay) is a Brazilian hardwood species from the ironwood family. Ipe is typically sourced in South America and Central America. Timbers milled from Ipe trees are extremely dense and resistant to rot, insects and decay. Coastal decks and railings are great applications for using hardwoods like Ipe, and the planks are commonly used on docks and marinas. Due to the popularity and import cost of this material the price point is one of the highest among exterior building material types. The structural integrity and lifespan of this product make it well worth the premium for most builders. Western Red Cedar- Commonly used for posts decking and shingles, WRC is a solid choice for exterior projects. Cedar trees are most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, and lumber is easily sourced in Washington, California, and Oregon. Cedar timbers have attractive grain patterns and colors ranging from light tan to reddish brown. Western red cedar timbers are naturally resistant to insects and decay making them popular choices for fencing, garden boxes, decks and railings. The price point for high quality cedar is much less than hardwoods and some composite products making it an attractive option. Western Red Cedar can be stained or painted quite easily. Redwood- Well known and widely used, Redwood has been one of the most popular exterior building materials for decades. The tannin acids found in redwood make it naturally resistant to insects, and the red and white marbled color make it an attractive timber. Redwood trees are commonly found in Northern California and historical old growth trees are no longer harvested by the lumber industry. Due to the farming and harvesting of younger trees, the quality of the timbers has suffered in recent years. A noticeable increase in whitewood boards is a result of harvesting these young trees . Heartwood (harder to find) is the highest quality and grade with a deep pinkish red color. Redwood is generally soft and needs to be maintained in order to preserve its longevity. Fencing decking and siding are popular exterior applications for the use of Redwood. The price point for Redwood is generally low for construction grade lumber. If you have questions about exterior wood types for a deck, railing or fencing project contact one of our sales professionals at 844-277-7327.      

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About SDCR

San Diego Cable Railings provides high quality cable railing systems to contractors and DIY installers nationwide. Our products are made in house based in San Diego, CA. – built to withstand harsh conditions and coastal environments.

What We Do

Cable Railing
Glass Railing
Gates and Fencing
Hardware Products
Installation Services

Contact Info

1365 N JOHNSON AVE #117 EL CAJON, CA 92020 (Visits by appointment only)

Shop@sandiegocablerailings.com

(888) 389-0003

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stair railings, stair railing height
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