Is Installing Atlantis Cable Rails on Your Home Worth It?
While any stainless steel cable is considered a premium deck or porch upgrade, we use Atlantis exclusively for exterior applications for its added strength, which comes from the robust hardware. While the hardware drives up the price, we prefer it to other simple, lightweight systems, such as Cable Bullet, which is better suited for indoor use.
Deck and porch posts always twist in our hot and humid weather. So, we prefer a system that can withstand the additional tension caused by deflection. Atlantis is easy to clean and resists the organic growth that we experience on home exteriors every year. While it is not a set-it-and-forget-it system, it is as close to it as we have seen.
Stainless Steel’s Role in the Modernization of Raleigh Homes
Steel cable systems have gained popularity as efforts to build “smarter” homes and improve our national home-building science intensify. Adding Atlantis stainless steel rails to a deck, porch, or patio provides unmatched durability compared to other materials. Years ago, when we used to mention stainless options, people would wince at the thought of the cost. Not so much today.
The Triangle has been going through the home modernization trend for over 10 years now. Places in Raleigh like North Ridge and North Hills are tearing down homes built in the late 70’s and 80’s. Cary is no different. Areas around Cross Roads and Walnut Street are experiencing the same thing. There is no doubt that modern flair includes natural metal elements, and metal balustrades are certainly one of them.
Cable railing systems were initially reserved for commercial and industrial use, including aviation, docks, bridges, roads, parking garages, observation points, and other industrial applications. However, steel cables are more prominent in premium and modern builds today.
While stainless steel is not exactly new in modern homes, it’s increasingly used and is becoming highly desirable for more than just indoor applications. We are seeing a massive shift toward Atlantis Cable Rails in and around Pool Road and other areas near New Bern Avenue near Wake Med, where gentrification is becoming more pronounced due to the Urbane projects. Homeowners in neighborhoods like Five Points are replacing old wooden pickets with the RailEasy system to preserve views of their mature oak canopies without the ‘clunky’ look of traditional pressure-treated lumber
Installation Specs and Design Features That Stand Apart
Metal inherently has an advantage, even over premium treated lumber. Visually, aluminum spindles and stainless-steel wire ropes appear virtually invisible. Minimal, non-invasive, clean lines lend a sleek, modern aesthetic and allure, and this look once came at a much higher cost. Since it was not considered a standard installation in Raleigh, many contractors charged an excessive premium, which deterred homeowners. We saw it as an intentional tactic used by companies that lacked experience and also did not want the added complexity of the installation.
Stainless steel cables blend into the background, offering open views and fewer visual obstructions, and may possibly cost less than you think. Although steel railing systems cost more than wood and require a longer installation timeline, the expense is worth it.
Although professional installations are recommended, Atlantis offers a slightly more straightforward system that allows DIY-enthusiast homeowners to try it too. Atlantis’s Raileasy Tensioners and Cable Sleeves are durable and easy to install. Simple installations make stainless steel a more accessible option by reducing time and labor. The RailEasy™ Tensioner is Atlantis’s primary cable railing tensioner. It contains a patented compression fitting that adjusts tension with simple hand tools. It also has a patented slotted base that can achieve angles up to 45 degrees, making it versatile and suitable for stair railing. Visit Atlantis’s site for more information.
Local Cost of Installation
The cost of installing a stainless steel cable railing system varies based accesiblity, layout and additional handrail features and options. However, based on our prices and other local competitors, you can expect an average price of $90-$300 per linear foot here in Raleigh. Atlantis offers several rail systems that add unique elements to any outdoor space. The possibilities and costs associated with a complete railing system are endless.
Features that Benefit in Withstanding Raleigh Weather
Atlantis steel rail systems utilize high-quality 316 stainless steel cables. 316 stainless steel is formidable and resistant to rust and corrosion. In addition, Atlantis applies a protective coating to its steel cables, enhancing weather resistance and preserving their appearance over time.
While Atlantis 316 stainless is rust-resistant, Raleigh’s notorious yellow dust coating in the spring comes mostly from pine pollen released by male pine cones and white oak trees, which grow in clusters called catkins or strobili, creating a unique maintenance hurdle.
In April, the yellow pine silt can settle into the cable threads. If not rinsed off before our high-humidity May cycles, that organic matter can trap moisture against the steel. We recommend a quick ‘pollen-rinse’ for our clients in Wake Forest, North Raleigh, and Southern Raleigh to keep the cable tensioners clean and free of debris. Improper installations can also allow dirt and foreign materials to enter the wire rope, accelerating mold growth and causing premature failures. Dirt entering the cables will also increase the risk of oxidation and corrosion.
Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
The good news is that washing your railing is no more difficult than washing your car. No special method is required when cleaning steel cable railings. Contrary to what deck companies in Raleigh claim, stainless steel does require occasional cleaning. Avoid harsh agents such as bleach or chloride-based products, as they can oxidize and tarnish the finish. Likewise, avoid using abrasive tools, such as steel brushes, files, or pliers.
To clean stainless steel cables, you’ll need a bucket of hot water, a soft sponge, and gentle dish soap. Occasional pressure washing will remove debris caught in the threads or grooves of the cabling. In addition to keeping it clean, the only maintenance you’ll need to perform is occasionally adjusting the cable tension, which is easy enough to do yourself.
Warranty
Like most companies, Atlantis wants to ensure you get the longest life out of your Rail System, which is why professional installation is encouraged. We follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely when we install the system. Installing a steel cable system in coastal areas exposed to saltwater, salt air, or salt spray could void the warranty if not properly maintained.
Metal tools, especially rusty ones, can scratch the protective surface and leave rust between wire threads, leading to long-term issues. Any damage caused by improper installation or use of cleaners will also void the warranty.
Is Steel Cable Railing Right for Your Home?
Some suggest steel cable railings aren’t suitable for more traditional colonial homes, and the modern design clashes with the look of an older home. However, this boils down to personal preference. It’s all about how well it complements your home’s lines, angles, and other aspects.
You can also install cable rails on your preexisting deck posts, replacing your old balusters, to give your deck, balcony, or stairs a sleek, updated look.
Atlantis Rail Systems & Designs
The Nautilus Cable Railing System has an appealing design. It uses steel top and bottom rails and more traditional posts for a finished look.
The Sunrail Cable Railing System combines the modern look of stainless cable railings with polished or brushed stainless steel rails and posts.
Atlantis Rail Systems also offers its Spectrum and Latitude lines, which feature different aesthetics and sleek, finished styles. Atlantis also offers various accessories, from deck lighting to other desired finishing touches.
Horizontal Cable Railings
Horizontal steel cable railing systems are the most common layout and are ideal under the following circumstances:
- The deck or porch has wide-open views.
- You have outdoor living spaces combined with larger decks.
- You’re surrounded by tall buildings, where horizontal steel cable railings create the appearance of greater distance from the surrounding density.
Note: Ideal for the wide-open views in newer Knightdale or Wendell Falls subdivisions too.
Vertical Cable Railings
If you want a unique look, you may prefer the cables installed vertically instead of horizontally. Although it might not be best suited for all applications or kits, vertical installation is best when:
- You have a backyard with a lot of tall trees.
- Your home has tall, distinctive features.
- Your home has vertically aligned siding.
- You have minimal interior decor with an open space.
Note: Perfect for the “Tall & Narrow” modern builds popping up in Downtown Raleigh or Durham.
Cable Railings and Building Codes
Once steel gained popularity for residential buildings in the early 2000s, “the ladder effect” came into play. Rising concern that children who instinctively climb would attempt to climb up the horizontal cable designs led to the term “ladder effect,” which was later incorporated in the International Residential Code (IRC).
While the ‘ladder effect’ was removed from the national code, Wake County inspectors still look closely at cable tension. If your cables have more than 4 inches of deflection, you won’t pass a final inspection anywhere in the Triangle. We install these systems to a specific tension to ensure they meet the strict ‘4-inch sphere’ rule that all of us local general contractors commonly encounter. Code also requires a gap of less than 6 inches between the floor and the cable system.
Even if they are not integrated into a deck rail system, Atlantis cable railings remain code-compliant under traditional building standards. So, these bad boys are strong and sleek.
Atlantis Railing System in Summary
Easy to install and nearly maintenance-free, whether you are customizing your new construction or modernizing your much older house, Atlantis Steel Cable Railing Systems offers the finest quality product. With authorized dealers nationwide, there’s no reason not to explore how Atlantis Rail systems can improve your home today.
From cable rails to any deck service, we have you covered. Contact us if you live anywhere in Raleigh. We coordinate the hardware staging through our Triangle-based distributors to ensure the 316 stainless is on-site before the deck framing is finalized. Our local surrounding areas, such as Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and Knightdale, can get in on the fun, too!
