We really like the look of the cable that is used for the gaurd rail in decks but do not know where we to start looking for this product in Ontario.
Also wondered if anyone had a web site for us to look at with some great designs incorporating this railing system.
thank you
Four 2200-sq.-ft. detached homes provide flexible open-plan housing on this Los Angeles block.
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Check with your local building inspector first -- horizontal guard "rails" may be against code.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
They are in Michigan. Funny though. I walked into Grosse Pointe Farms city hall and they had it on four floors worth of staircases.
Had a good laugh with the BI. He said it was put in before he was so that makes it "grandfathered".
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
cablerail.com for the expensive stuff.
While widely used in houses featured in magazines, it does not meet code in Ontario. Google images has enough pictures of cable rail to sate any appetite. There are also several threads in the archives about how to install etc. if you do a search. The systems specifically made for deck railing are expensive but you can buy individual components (wire, turnbuckles) for much less.
In many instances any railing detail that provides a "Ladder" will not meet code. They can be climbed. Depending on the depth of ones pockets the tempered glass panels are truly beautiful, if the view warrants it.
Edited 9/2/2008 7:09 pm ET by Pelipeth
Thanks Pelipeth, you are correct, the Building Inspector just confirmed the same. Therefore it will be tempered glass panels.
I don't understand why there are som many pictures in books and magazines with this railing system if it can't be approved or is this just in Canada.
well if i remember right, the ladder restriction got removed in the 2007 code but many jurisdictions still use the 2003. so you may have an argument for leniency if you install and have to beg for forgiveness later.
That's a gamble I'd NEVER chance.
I don't have the codes down pat, but this one does make some legitimate sense. Attractive though it is. Your next dilemma will be choosing the appropiate posts to attach the glass to.
Yes, we have already been discussing this since HD wants the thinest post possible , also we are looking at putting the railing up higher so it's not interferring with the view. Going thru the pictures right now looking at different systems. We will probably use black rods on the sides and the stair case and glass panels along the fron view.
We would'nt want to take that chance of having the horizontal cables if they are not approved since it is a 10' drop and then another roll down the slop, if the drop didn't kill you the roll would since the rocks are pretty non forgiving.
Edited 9/4/2008 1:46 pm ET by poorgirl
Beautiful spot. Is the deck already there? For waterfront decks I usually try and drop the deck 14" (one tread) so that the top rail is below eye level of the view when sitting inside the building.
Washing the outside of the railing glass can be quite difficult if the railing is higher than 42"
Yes the view is great, this water has no big boating so its very quiet , the deck was finished last weekend I have attached a copy of the floor plan so you can see the design. Thanks to "Rainer" on this forum he made some changes for us before we started building but they are not on this copy. We extended the deck to 14' instead of 12' and moved the stairs to the front on one side. These stair will be radiused going down to another deck.
Doors were changed to 5' sliding and 10' in the grandroom.
This project has been done only on weekends so it's been a slow process but it's getting there
That's a view worth saving, at my friends house in Malibu, no rails, just SS posts with the glass between.
Thats what we would like to use the SS posts if we can't use the cable, we will use the tempered glass with whatever we decide to do.
I didn't design/build any decks with cables for a couple of years because of all the hoopola I'd been hearing about change in the railing Code concerning the ladder effect.Last year I just happened to ask the Bldg. Dept. about it, and they said no problem using cable rails, so do check with your Bldg. Dept. I get the cables made up at a local rigging shop. 1/8" cable, one end has a 1/4" threaded rod, and at the other end we swage on a copper collar.http://woodsshop.com/
We did check with the Building inspector and he advised that they would not be approved.
So now it is time to find out if glass railing systems are allowed. Google "glass deck rail systems" and see what pops up. This is used all over the Pacific NW, where those over the water views are to die for.
Tempered glass panels are rimmed with a post and rail system that is engineered for it. Huge array of choices and makers.
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"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
That's a tidy way to do rails. A couple of questions. By rigging shop do you mean a boating store? And is that where you got the crimper?
You might check with a fairly local window manufacturer. Went to an auction of windows and they had 30 sheets of tempered glass that sold for $5 ea. They looked like they were for patio doors and for some reason they didnt need them. Check with a glass company next,although you might have to go through them first to get to the window co.
Our inspector here allows us to use patio door blanks too, and as you say they are cheap, but some jurisdictions want glass that can withstand a specific load, which patio glass can't do.
Rightly or wrongly it's one of those code issues that designers are willing to skirt around to get the look they want. I have done lots of non-conforming railings. For final inspection you attach 1/2" plastic mesh with zip ties. Everyone knows it is coming off, but they sign off all the same. Around here where houses are built on the edge of cliffs overhanging the water, the landscape offers a many more hazards than any climbable rail.
"For final inspection you attach 1/2" plastic mesh with zip ties."Exactly what I was prepared to do for my railing (which consisted of 2 horizontal aluminum bars with speedrail fittings), but the the BI, said don't bother, he knew the deal.
We wouldn't want to go thru all the expense, time and effort just to have to rip it out because it wouldn't pass, If we had this approved before hand it would be different but they have already so no go.
Being originally from Ontario I feel your pain ;-)
My building inspector is a thwarted architect. He lives for interesting designs and hates looking at the same subdivision houses all day. When he finally built his own house it was like a damn burst. Steel I beams flying all over the place, areas of glass floor - just wild. None of his own railings met code and for final occupancy he said it was very embarrassing to have another inspector come through to do the ties and mesh routine.
My kind of inspector! When I had my final inspection done, it was pouring rain, so the BI didn't bother go measure the deck height, but he was familiar with the railing system I used and loved it anyway. Wheww...Where on the island are you? I was just there this summer. Was in Victoria for BC day (saw Symphony splash and the Snowbirds flying over the Empress, amazing. Unfortunately had to leave on Monday to head up to Port Renfrew, so we missed Sarah McLaughlin and Feist. Super Natural BC it surely is. Got caught in the rockslide while up at Whistler too, and had to take the long way round back to Vancouver. Beautiful drive though.
Yep, we have alot of rigging shops here in the San Diego area servicing all the boats. That's where I picked up the swagging tool too.http://woodsshop.com/
Thanks. I've done a couple with turnbuckles and eye bolts which were not half as nice. Will have to decide if my Scottish side will allow me to buy another specialized tool.
If you drove to Port Renfrew you went right by my house. I'm 20 minutes past Sooke beside French Beach Provincial park. On days like we have had this past week it really is a stunningly beautiful place to live. When the rains hit, not so much so. Going Chantrelle mushroom picking tomorrow. Last year we picked 15 lbs. So good in soup. Mmmm!
Wow, you live in heaven then. We stopped at French beach too! We stayed at Soule Creek Inn in a yurt for 3 days. Went to Botanical Beach, etc. What an amazing place. Went fishing from the government wharf (dock) and ate at the hotel at Renfrew as well.