DIY Wire Railing Installation // DIY Cable Railing for Deck

This DIY Wire Railing Installation video will show you everything you need to know to install a DIY cable railing for your deck. Specifically, you’ll learn:

1. How to set and install deck railing posts
2. How to make a template for your railing post holes.
3. How to drill into the railing posts for your DIY cable railing
4. How to run the cable / wire through the deck railing posts
5. Tips on having a continuous cable run through stairs
6. The Best Cable railing hardware to use
7. How to tighten the cable and adjust the wire railing tension
8. How to cut the excess bolt length.

Step 1: How to set and install deck railing posts
We installed our Deck Railing posts with an “inside mount” approach and then “picture framed” the edge board around the posts. To do this, we installed the railing posts such that the top cap of the railing would be at 38” (check local codes requirement as you may need to make yours 42” high depending on where you live). To fasten the posts to the deck, we Used Thrulock Screws which do not require any predrilling. Links to tools and materials used are below!

Step 2: How to make a template for your drill holes.
In order to ensure that all of our drill holes were exactly the same from post to post, we created a template with a scrap 2”x4” board. First, because we used 1/8” cable, we drilled 1/4” holes spaced every 3 inches (approximately) and located them directly in the center of the template board. Please check your local code requirements for cable railings.Once your template is ready, use clamps to attach the template to your deck railing posts and mark the holes on the post. Be sure to mark both sides of the post with your template.

Step 3: How to drill into the railing posts for your DIY cable railing
At this point, use a drill bit that is slightly larger than the diameter of your cable and drill half way though the post in the exact place of where you marked it with your template. Be sure to hold the drill level and make sure you are in the exact center of the post. Next, move to the other side of the post and drill in halfway, meeting the previously drilled hole in the center.

Step 4: How to run the cable / wire through the deck railing posts
Simply run the wire railing though the holes in the post and cut to length.

Step 5: Tips on having a continuous cable run through stairs
Having a continuous run through the stairs was a bit tricky. I would recommend that you have a dedicated set of hardware through the stair railing – It will make your life simpler. But if you want to save the money, you can follow what we did in the video. It is a little confusing in the video, but I hope that what you see will get the creative juices flowing so that you can come up with your own solution!

Step 6: Best Cable railing hardware to use
For our Project, we used the 1/8” Type 316 (Rust Proof) Stainless Steel (included a cable cutter with purchase), Muzata Cable Railing Kit Hardware, and a Hydraulic Crimping Tool. All tools were purchased on AMAZON and links are provided below.

Step 7: How to tighten the cable and adjust the cable railing tension
Once the cable is run through the railing, simply insert the Muzata hardware in both posts at the beginning and end of the cable run. Insert the cable into the hardware and then crimp the cable in place. Then, thread the washer and nut on the opposite side of the post and tighten the nut with a wrench as necessary to get your desired cable tension.

Step 8: How to cut the excess bolt length.
Once the cable tension is to your liking, cut off the excess bolt length with an angle grinder or a reciprocating saw. You will obviously need a metal blade for this. Once the excess length has been removed, thread on the decorative hardware end cap, and your DIY Wire Railing Installation is complete.

TOOLS Used in this project and Total Cost:

All in all, the wire railing materials cost me $155 for the Stainless Steel Cable, Muzata Hardware, and hydraulic crimping tool.

Affiliate links to the exact products I used are linked below:

Hydraulic Cable Crimping Tool:

316 Stainless Steel Cable (includes cutter)

Muzata Cable Railing Kit Hardware:

Thrulock Screws:

Thank you guys so much for watching! If this video helped you out, please consider dropping a “like” below to help this video get recommended. Also, please subscribe if you like content like this – it helps me out a ton.

This is Episode 6 in my BACKYARD TRANSFORMATION SERIES.
Check out the other episodes below:

Episode 1: DIY Fence on a Budget

Episode 3: How to Extend a Concrete Slab

Episode 4: DIY Concrete Paver Patio

[edwardlowry]

This really looks like something I can do. I like the sharp, clean, modern look. Nice job guys!

[EDog]

I have watched a bunch of these cable rail videos and this is the only one that makes me want to take on the project. Thank you !

[bzab]

This is by far the best video I have found on cable wire railings. This is now my next project- Thx for the details in the vid

[Kyle-gqtk]

Andrew, keep up the great content! The deck looks fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed all of your videos.

[pkass]

Very cool. Especially the tuned wires.

[dieselnew]

Very detailed and informative. First time for me doing one of these systems. Thanks

[kennedycarey]

Would love to hear an update on how this held up. Running the cable the entire length definitely saves tons of money due to the cost of terminations but most cable manufactures don't recommend making turns or running past a certain length. How tight were you able to get the cables? Do you ever do any seasonal tightening over time? Are they tight enough to avoid enough deflection to fit the 4" ball through?

[Lanoguard]

thank you for taking the time to show the detail and in a short enough time too brilliant.

[gabrielclymer]

Beautiful work! Definitely use a grinder for cutting those excess bolt cuts!

[ncwoodworker]

Nice video. Very creative in drilling your holes.

[charleswinter]

Getting ready to do this same project and searching videos. Great job and explanation!!

[Danwatkinshondar]

Super helpful. I was quoted $5200 for the cable and connectors at a lumber company in Portland Oregon. I took your advise and it cost me around $340. Everything was from Amazon. Only thing different is I did not run the cable all the way through the 4x4. I screwed the connecters to both sides of the 4x4. Turned out beautiful!

[GustavLinn-odsc]

Great video!! We will be starting ours this week. We were wondering at what distance your posts are apart? Thanks for the well laid out resources and fantastic explanation during the video.

[NB-Philly]

Tgat came out great!

Btw, I thought you had a mullet in your profile pics, I just realized it was a jacket hoodie.

[BenLeclerc]

Hey bud. I have seen Perkins brothers do a similar install. I believe they have angled adapters for the stair transition so your bolt finish ends up sitting perpendicular instead of at an angle. Either way, wonderful work

[patrickmckowen]

Thank you -- the thing I learn was to get an electric crimper 🤣
PS, just looked up Ecrimpers, expensive! Will go with the long handle ones that are a single push I guess, better than pumping IMHO and brother has one.
Cheers

[Jubilee.]

Make yourself a little template take a board put screws through it put it next to your post and hammer that way you get the holes perfectly lined up!

[ashleythron]

Turned out great - nice work! What are the chances of getting a video for how to make the wire spool setup??

[southernstitchersco]

Hello, my husband and are about to this on our new deck. I do have one question, how did you secure the trex board as the top rail? Thanks :)

[deankaisner]

Thank you for your video. It very helpful as I’m researching for
an upcoming project. It’s been a couple years since you did this video. How is the cable holding up?