Railing News

Cable Railings vs. Picket Railings

Deck Railings | October 30, 2024
white aluminum picket railing on deck

When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, choosing between cable railings vs. picket railings is crucial for both safety and aesthetics. At Vista Railings, we offer a variety of railing options with unique benefits that can dramatically change the look and functionality of your deck. Let’s explore what each style offers to help you decide which is best for your home.

Cable Railings

Cable railings are known for their thin, horizontal cables that provide unobstructed views while ensuring safety. They are an excellent choice if your deck overlooks a beautiful landscape or you simply desire a modern, open look. The cables are typically made from stainless steel, making them incredibly durable and low maintenance. They resist weathering and corrosion, which is ideal for North American climates. Here are some of the most important benefits of cable railings you will get to enjoy:

  • Unobstructed views—The slender profile of the cables maximize visibility, which is perfect for scenic settings.
  • Durability—Stainless-steel cables and aluminum posts are built to last and can withstand harsh weather conditions without deteriorating.
  • Low maintenance—Unlike some materials that require frequent painting or treatment, cable railings need only occasional cleaning.

Learn 5 things you should know about cable railing systems.

Picket Railings

Picket railings, often seen as the more traditional choice, consist of vertical bars and are a popular choice for family homes. They offer a classic look that complements various architectural styles, from contemporary to traditional. Some of the main benefits of picket railings include:

  • Safety and privacy—The closer spacing of the pickets provides more privacy and safety, making them ideal for households with small children and pets.
  • Customizable designs—Available in various styles and finishes, picket railings can be tailored to match your home’s exterior décor.
  • Robust construction—Aluminum pickets are resistant to rust and decay, ensuring your railing system remains strong and attractive for years.

Ready to Transform Your Deck?

Choosing between cable and picket railings depends on several factors, including your personal style, the overall design of your home, and the level of upkeep you are prepared to handle. If you are not sure which option is for you, we are here to help.

At Vista Railings, we are dedicated to helping you find the perfect railing solution for your deck. Whether you are leaning toward the sleek appeal of cable railings or the classic charm of picket railings, our team is here to assist. Contact us at 1-800-667-8247 to explore our range of options and start your journey to a beautiful, functional outdoor living space.


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We are Washago Timber Mart and we've been a stocking dealer for nearly 15 years. Vista Railings are the absolute #1 best choice when it comes to Aluminum & Glass Railing Systems.

Chris Denne
Washago Timber Mart

James is wonderful! He continuously supports us and our Customers by ensuring that we receive our stock promptly and efficiently. He helps in rectifying issues that arise and at times he is known to personally drop off product either to our store or job sites to make sure we over deliver to our Customers! We appreciate you James and your team for all of your support!!

Rona Filsinger

The BEST railing in Canada… Customer Service is amazing. Thanks Team Vista the look of Vista railing is a beautiful sleek design it compliments any home and definitely increases the value of your home.

Brad Vermolen
Castle Niagara Building Centre

Top notch, sturdy and easy to install railing. Always a great experience dealing with James, Dwayne and Jim. From product knowledge, to solving any issues, they are always eager to help and on stand-by… Great working with them.

Mr Duncan

Vista has been a dream to work with, the program makes life so much easier and efficient to do quotes. Dwayne, Jim and the rest of the team I have dealt with are always willing to answer questions and go the extra mile to help fix any issues or getting pieces and parts to us promptly.

Matt Walker

We love working with the Vista Team! HF Smith Lumber in Cookstown, Ontario has been a proud stocking dealer since day one, carrying their four top colours. Vista’s quoting program is super easy to use and saves us a ton of time. The sales team is fantastic – always friendly, quick to help, and great to work with! We also love seeing the new products they continue to add. It’s exciting to expand our offerings and keep things fresh for our customers! Keep up the great work

Kim Ytsma
HF Smith Lumber

I purchase many different types of items in the building industry and have been at all levels from putting away lumber, customer service management and purchasing at wholesale level. The Vista railing company by far has been the best company to deal with in my entire 41 years in the industry. It’s just unbelievable the support and quality they produce from all levels — from manufacturing, pulling the product, design team and of course the sales support. Railing is a very difficult item for some yards to sell due to the complexity, but Vista makes it real easy with the least complicated quoting system, the Vista planner.
Thank you Team Vista for all you do for me and the industry!!

Randy Muentener