Deck Railings and Stairs in Kirkland & the Eastside
On a raised deck, the railing is what you look through every day, and it can cost as much as the decking. Hans Construction installs aluminum, cable, glass and wood railing systems on new decks and as replacements on existing ones, with stairs built to the rise, run and landing rules every Eastside city enforces.
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Railing systems compared
| Railing | View | Maintenance | Installed range per linear foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar with cedar or metal balusters | Partial | Oil every 2 – 3 years | $70 – $120 |
| Composite railing kit | Partial | Wash only | $90 – $150 |
| Powder-coated aluminum, picket | Good | Wash only | $90 – $160 |
| Stainless cable on aluminum or wood posts | Very good | Retension cables occasionally | $150 – $250 |
| Tempered glass panels | Unobstructed | Clean glass | $250 – $450 |
What the code requires
- A guard is required where the deck surface is more than 30 inches above the grade below at any point within 36 inches horizontally.
- Guard height of at least 36 inches on residential decks.
- Openings that do not let a 4-inch sphere pass through.
- Posts and connections strong enough to resist a 200-pound outward load at the top.
The last rule is where many railings fail: a post notched and lag-screwed to the rim joist meets the look but not the load. We use blocking and tension-tie hardware or manufacturer post-mount systems tested for the load.
Stairs
Deck stairs must have consistent riser heights and tread depths, a handrail on flights of four or more risers, a landing where a single flight would be too tall, and lighting at the top and bottom. We build stringers from ground-contact lumber or aluminum, land them on a concrete pad rather than soil, and set the bottom step so it does not hold water. Wide, shallow stairs between deck levels double as seating. Where the stairs land is a layout decision; see Planning a Deck Layout.
Railing replacement on an existing deck
Many decks have sound framing and boards but a railing that wobbles, is too low, or blocks the view. Replacing the railing alone is a two-to-four-day job and often requires reinforcing the post connections at the rim. We assess both at the visit.
Lighting
Post-cap lights, under-rail strip lights and stair riser lights are wired during the railing install. Low-voltage systems on a transformer and timer are standard; we leave the transformer accessible.
A railing and stair we built
Glass railing replacement on a lake-view deck
Railing and stair questions
Is cable railing safe for children?
Properly tensioned cable railing meets the 4-inch sphere rule. Horizontal cables can be climbed, which some families prefer to avoid; picket or glass railings remove that concern.
Does glass railing get dirty fast?
Rain spotting shows on glass. A rinse and squeegee monthly in season keeps it clear; frameless glass is easier to clean than framed.
Can I mix railing types?
Yes. A common choice is glass or cable facing the view and picket or composite on the sides.
How long does a railing replacement take?
Two to four days for most decks, longer for glass, which is custom-cut and ordered after measuring.
Do I need a permit to replace a railing?
Some cities require one for guard replacement on elevated decks; others do not. We check before starting.
Send a photo of the view you want to keep. We will suggest the railing that keeps it.