Enhancing Outdoor Spaces: William's Deck Project with HAAS Revo Cable Railing
When William from Minnesota decided to take on the ambitious project of adding a massive deck to his home, he knew it would be a labor of love. With the support of his wife, Trish, and a lot of hard work, William installed over 1,300 feet of 3/16" 1x19 cable using the HAAS Revo cable railing system. The result? A beautiful and expansive outdoor space that has quickly become the perfect spot for family gatherings and enjoying the picturesque Minnesota scenery.
William’s commitment to the project is evident in every detail. The seamless integration of the cable railing offers a modern look and unobstructed views, making the deck a standout feature of his home. Even William’s dog has taken a liking to the new addition, often found basking in the warmth of the sunny deck.
William shared his experience with us, giving us a glimpse into the effort and planning that went into this project. Here’s what he had to say:
“I built this huge deck addition last fall on my own. Great way to get in shape at 58 years old. After letting the treated lumber dry out over the winter, we installed the HAAS Revo 3/16" thru post cable railing system. We had a 14' x 16' existing deck off the kitchen dining area. The addition has 8' walkways wrapping around the house to the new 14' x 16' bedroom deck area. Angles from the walkway to the (2) 14' x 16' decks really increased the square footage of usable space, a lot more pre-planning and work, but I think it looks nicer.
Before starting the project and after researching stainless steel cable railing and discussing that type of railing system with others, I concluded that the HAAS cable railing REVO system was what I wanted. Your products come highly regarded, and I like the clean look of the REVO thru post design. Also, I used the 3/16 1x19 cable for a bit more strength, but mainly because the deck is so big the 3/16 cable looks better on it. In my opinion, using the post protector sleeves makes all the difference in the overall look.
Running over 1,300 feet (about 396.24 m) of cable and drilling out one side of each of the 41 posts meant drilling 656 holes—my arm is still sore! What made drilling the holes much easier and quicker was a 3/16" thick steel template I built to the exact size of the post width. Welding wings on each side allowed it to be perfectly centered on each post. I then welded hardened steel sleeves where the holes were drilled at 3.66" on center so that when the tip of the spade bit touched the wood, the spade of the bit would be in the sleeve, making centering foolproof and straightness easier to gauge. The template would be clamped onto each post from the top down, so it would be exactly the same distance on each post.
My wife and I installed the cable; it was straightforward, although a few times I swaged the tensioner on forgetting the sleeves—this gave her something to rib me about. Currently, I have yet to cut off the threaded tensioner ends and put on the caps because I want to see how the tension changes with different temperatures before cutting. So far, there does not seem to be much change in tension. We are very pleased with the cable and railing components. Everything was well-machined, clean, and accurate. I think this was the best decision for the aesthetics of the deck and view of our property. Well worth it. Thank you. William & Trish”
William and Trish’s dedication to their deck project is truly inspiring. By choosing the HAAS Revo cable railing system, they have not only enhanced the look of their home but also created a functional and inviting space to enjoy for years to come. The attention to detail and thoughtful planning have resulted in a deck that blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of their surroundings.
If you're considering a similar project, take a look at our cable railing gallery. With the right materials, careful planning, and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform your outdoor space into a stunning retreat that your family and friends will love. And who knows, maybe your dog will enjoy it just as much as William’s does!