A client in the Washington, DC area was in the process of building a new luxury residence and approached us with very specific railing requirements. The home featured multiple outdoor and interior spaces, each with its own functional and aesthetic goals. Our challenge was to design railing systems that delivered unobstructed views, modern styling, long-term durability, and full code compliance.
Design Goals & Planning
For the third-floor terrace, the client’s top priority was preserving their panoramic view. They wanted a railing system that would visually “disappear” while still providing safety and structural integrity. For the rear terrace and the main kitchen area, they wanted to incorporate one of the most popular modern design trends: stainless steel cable railing.
The client provided architectural blueprints for the new home, allowing us to develop a detailed budget and system recommendations for both the glass railing on the third-floor terrace and the stainless steel cable railing on the back terrace.
Engineered Railing Solutions
For the third-floor glass terrace railing, we proposed a system using 1/2″ thick tempered safety glass. The glass panels were mounted using stainless steel glass railing brackets attached to 3″ square heavy-wall steel posts. Each post featured a heavy-duty base plate for structural stability and a clean, modern post cap to complement the home’s contemporary architecture.
For the rear terrace cable railing, structural performance was critical due to cable tension requirements. We specified 2″ square heavy-wall posts at all cable termination points to ensure long-term strength and rigidity. Intermediate posts were designed using 1-1/2″ square tubing, paired with 1/2″ x 1-1/2″ vertical flat bar intermediates to maintain spacing and meet code requirements. To complete the system, we proposed a sleek oval cap rail mounted on a 1-1/2″ x 1/2″ bar channel, tying the entire design together with a refined, modern finish.
From Approval to Fabrication
Once the budget was submitted and approved, we produced a formal proposal, which the client signed and returned with a deposit. Our team then conducted precise on-site measurements and created detailed CAD drawings for final client approval, ensuring every component aligned perfectly with the architecture of the home.
After approval, we fabricated both the third-floor glass railing and the stainless steel cable railing systems. All metal components were professionally powder coated to enhance durability and provide a clean, contemporary finish before being transported to the site for installation.
Installation Challenges & Craftsmanship
One of the primary challenges during installation was that the entire lower terrace structure was masonry. This required our craftsmen to core drill each post location individually for the cable railings. The steel posts were set directly into the masonry using high-strength epoxy and allowed to fully cure before proceeding.
Once the posts were secured, the stainless steel cables were carefully threaded through the railing system and tensioned to precise specifications. While labor-intensive, this process ensured exceptional strength, longevity, and a flawless final appearance.
The Result
The finished railing systems delivered exactly what the client envisioned: unobstructed, dramatic views from the third-floor terrace and a sleek, modern aesthetic throughout the rear terrace and kitchen areas. Both railing solutions provide lasting safety, full code compliance, and a timeless design that enhances the luxury of the home for years to come.
Interested in seeing more of what we can offer? Please take a look at our exterior railing gallery, or reach out to us directly. We would love to work with you on your project!
