The only cable railing I know is SS and is expensive. So that seems to be wrong for this application. But if you google SS cable rail systems, you will see what I mean. Install is not that bad

we did this YEARS ago when these systems simply weren't available. We went to a sailboat shop and had custom plastic coated stainless cables made, swaged fittings on the ends and then measured what we needed and had 5 equal lengths made for each run of railing. We installed them ourselves, using stainless fasteners at the end and then "buried" the ends inside of a support. I have no idea if this would be cheaper than the current online sources or not.

Getting the cables uniformly tight is one of those jobs that looks easier than it is.

having a threaded end swaged on allows for tightening / flexibility. we had to adjust ours in the house after some initial acclimation of the wood rails - but since the ends were threaded - we just tightened the nut a couple turns. exposed turnbuckles can also accomplish this. I'd never try to do this without them being adjustable.

We are putting in multiple cable rails throughout our house including a floor to ceiling "wall" next to the staircase. We are using feeney, though more custom version. But standard packages probably works for what you need.

http://www.feeneyinc.com/Architectural/CableRail-Standard-Assemblies

You can do it for much less than a system you'd purchase. We did it on our railing to our deck outside. Let me compile what we used and I'll post back this weekend! It's been up for a year and hasn't slacked at all.

My computer is on the fritz so this is the best I can do. Here are screen shots of what we ordered off of Amazon. Couldn't fit it all in one so the second one has some duplication so I could get the last item.

It's a somewhat odd combination of carpentry and modern metal technology, IMO! The problem with cable railings in many jurisdictions, may be the building code restriction against horizontal intermediate railing members which can be used by children (and others) to climb up and over the railing, resulting in injury or death. I seem to recall current codes requiring vertical intermediate members spaced not further than 4-inches apart.

I love it!!!!!!...that is what I would like however I can do wonder with wood but not with wire and cable. I would prefer a easy making solution...do you want to write how you did it? I am not very good at envisioning the process. Thanks

This railing design is usually used to provide a guard on a deck where there is a major view like in the mountains or at the sea shore. Why would you want to use it for an attic remodel?

I doubt the building code will be an issue because the stair appears to be too steep with too little headroom to be code compliant. I'm curious why this issue would be posted in the Building a Home forum rather than the Remodeling forum.

Building code compliance is an issue with any new or remodeling construction requiring a building permit. And perhaps a requirement for those constructions which don't require a building permit in the event of injury or death resulting from construction not meeting code requirements.

JDS, Because I like it and there are plenty of picture on the web with rail like that used inside a house. Also Ana White (now host of these big remodel tv show) has shown a house in Alaska with that application. It is a way not to have a visual "open space", the space looks bigger. There is plenty of headroom. This stairs are identical to the other 2 in the house. Not sure what you see in the picture but there are at least 5 feet of overhead space. I did not post in Building forum because I am remodeling. Virgil Carter, I have a building permit. I also mention what the code dictates. Thanks for your input

I meant I did not post in Remodel because the room has been built as a room (with dry walls and insulation. So I thought it would be best here. Apologies