Guides & Project Stories
Straight answers on cost, code, and how we build — plus the work behind the awards.
We write these because the honest answers are hard to find. Most railing pages either dodge price entirely or quote a per-foot number that stops being true at the first corner. These are the numbers we actually work to.
Quick answers
- What do custom railings cost?
- Most projects land between $5,000-$15,000 installed. Steel is the most affordable, then cable, then glass, with floating staircases at the top. Full guide →
- How tall does a railing have to be in Washington?
- 36 inches minimum at open-sided walking surfaces, 34 inches on the open sides of stairs (R312.1.2). Handrails sit 34 to 38 inches (R311.7.8.1). The "42 inches" people repeat is commercial code, not residential. Full guide →
- How big can the gaps be?
- Nothing that passes a 4 inches sphere (R312.1.3). On the open side of stairs it is 4-3/8 inches, and the triangular opening at the riser and tread is 6 inches. Full guide →
- How long does it take?
- 4-8 weeks from deposit to installed. Steel lead time is 1-2 weeks; powder coat is under 1 week. Terms are 50% deposit, 50% on completion. Full guide →
- Glass, cable or steel?
- Glass if the view is the point and should disappear. Cable for openness across a long run at a lower cost. Steel everywhere the railing is not competing with a view — then spend the difference on detailing. Full guide →
All guides
How Long Does a Custom Railing or Staircase Take?
Real lead times for custom metalwork in Vancouver, WA: 4 to 8 weeks from deposit to install, and how to schedule it against a build.
Read → August 31, 2026Glass vs. Cable vs. Steel Railings: How to Choose
A straight comparison of glass, cable and steel railings on cost, view, maintenance and code, from a Vancouver, WA shop that builds all three.
Read → August 31, 2026Railing Code in Washington: Heights, Gaps and the 4-Inch Rule
Guard, handrail and opening requirements in the 2021 Washington State Residential Code, with section numbers, for homeowners and builders.
Read → August 3, 2026What Do Custom Steel Railings Cost? A 2026 Guide for Vancouver & Portland Homeowners
Real price ranges for custom steel, glass and cable railings in Vancouver, WA: what drives the number and how to get a rough quote in a day.
Read →Ready to start? Send us photos.
Send a photo or the plans and we'll come back with a rough number. If it's a fit, we 3D-scan your space and quote it exact — no guesswork.