Best, Easiest Cable Railing Systems for Pros and DIYers

Cable railing is one of the most-requested railing styles for decks, patios, balconies and stairs. The sleek linear railing system integrates seamlessly with modern architecture, and instantly updates more traditional homes like ranches, bungalows and split levels.

More homeowners and builders are replacing traditional wood railings with cable rails for clearer sightlines, lasting durability and minimal maintenance. 

Why Cable Railing

Stainless-steel cable railing looks chic and makes indoor and outdoor spaces feel inviting. Thin horizontal cables create a minimal visual barrier compared to old-school wood balusters. And unlike wood railing, the entire deck railing system will not rot, splinter, mildew or require painting, staining, replacements and repair.

RDI cable railing systems pair beautifully with outdoor materials like composite decking and metal accents, and indoor materials such as wood floors and laminate plank flooring.

Cable railing maximizes the sense of space and openness, especially on decks overlooking the water, mountains, backyards and pools. It’s the best railing choice when you want to highlight a landscape view rather than hide it behind traditional balusters. 

Extreme-Tested Materials

RDI Railing aluminum and stainless-steel cable systems are designed to be corrosion-resistant and durable. During the manufacturing process each aluminum component is sealed with a premium powder coat formula that The American Architectural Manufacturing Association (AAMA) has rated above its industry standard.

This superior attention to detail gives the aluminum frame an added level of protection against rust, scratches and impact. After 10,000 hours of continuous salt spray testing, the powder coat finish of our aluminum frames emerged with virtually zero defects, making our cable railing systems an ideal choice coast to coast.

Easy to Order

Unlike other cable deck railing panels that require separate parts to assemble, Avalon Aluminum Railing® and Elevation® Rail panels arrive pre-assembled and ready to install — a big plus when you’re juggling multiple items on a punch list.

Railing that Installs 38% Faster Than the Competition

With the Elevation Rail system, time is ticking in your favor. This smartly engineered cable railing has multiple timesaving features you won’t find anywhere else.

• OneTen™ Built-in Tensioning System: a central mechanism that eliminates the need to tension each cable individually. This speeds up installation and if needed, seasonal re-tensioning. 
• Pre-assembled panels with pre-strung stainless-steel cables make for a quicker install, up to 38% faster than the leading competition.* 
  *Based on a 12′ x 18′ deck with 8 posts and 7 panels (Elevation Rail installed 49  minutes faster than competitive cable install of 129 minutes). 
• Adjustable panels span up to 8′ long without special tools or fasteners, eliminating the need to stop, measure and cut to fit.  Plus, there’s no need for messy power cords and nearby outlets—a real energy saver during off-grid installs.  

Together, these features have made Elevation Rail System one of the most awarded cable railings in the industry. 

• 2023 Best of IBS Award for Most Innovative Building Material at the NAHB International Builder’s Show (IBS).   
• 2023 Product Innovation Award from Architectural Products. 
• 2023 Good Housekeeping Home Renovation Award 

Forgo the Sagging Issues and Continuous Upkeep

To clean our cable railing, simply pull out a garden hose and spray accumulated dirt off once or twice a year. For more stubborn dirt, dip a soft cloth or sponge into a solution of warm water and non-abrasive detergent, and wipe clean. If seasonal adjustments are needed, Elevation Rail’s patented OneTen™ Built-in Tensioning System fine tunes the tension quickly and efficiently.

Ready to bring your deck and stairway into the 21^st century? RDI Railing offers the most innovative and highest performing cable railing systems. DIYers can learn how to install our deck cable railings or find where to buy near you.