Metal Picket or Cable Railing: Which Is Right for Your Deck?

• Cost: The more affordable of the two. Parts are simpler and installation is quicker.
• Durability: Aluminum does not rust, and a powder-coated finish stands up to years of sun. Steel is stronger still but must be properly coated.
• Upkeep: A wash with soap and water a couple of times a year.
• Looks: Classic and substantial, usually in black, bronze or white. You see through it, with a regular pattern of uprights.
• Installation: Straightforward for an experienced crew.

• Cost: Higher. Stainless cable, the posts built to take its tension and the fittings all cost more, and installation takes longer.
• Durability: Excellent with marine-grade stainless steel. Cheaper cable can stretch or corrode, so the grade matters.
• Upkeep: Washing, plus an occasional check of cable tension.
• Looks: The cables nearly disappear, which is the whole point. Nothing else keeps a view as open.
• Installation: Demanding. Every cable has to be tensioned evenly or the run sags.

If budget is the priority, or you want something sturdy that needs almost no attention, choose metal pickets. If you have a view of the mountains, the pool or the yard worth keeping, and are willing to pay for it, cable is hard to beat.

One practical note: railings around pools and on raised decks have safety requirements, including limits on the size of gaps. We confirm what applies to your deck before you choose a style.