We're in the North Bay (SF Bay Area), so I am incredibly disappointed that the much touted TWP is not an option. Do you do a wet-on-wet application of the Penofin? Ideally I'd love the finish to last a couple of years. Any way to keep the ipe looking great for that long?? I've since moved from the ipe posts to a black powder-coated aluminum, by Feeney (Design Rail). I was surprised by how pricey they are (isn't everything?), but I think it will be a clean, contemporary look. I was a little afraid that the wooden posts would render a bit more of a rustic feel than I ideally was hoping for. And, yes, we'll be doing an ipe cap. My neighbors stairs ARE protected from the sun. However, our deck is pretty much in full sun...alternating with full fog. So, Penofin... What color do you recommend? And, do you put it on immediately after installation or do you let the deck "weather" a bit? And other prep work after installation before staining?? Many, many thanks!!!!

That inspiration pic is totally illegal and unsafe. Don’t trust pretty pics on the internet as being realistic or aspirational. Hire local design help to integrate appropriate safety measures and aesthetic considerations together. That kind of stair would look inordinately silly in a Center Hall Colonial or Tudor Revival, for instance.

you need to work with a pro who has a little creativity because your objections really shouldn't be a big deal. To keep the p/t lumber from being visible, use a stainless steel grommet in the ipe post trim with a hole bigger than the one holding the cable in the p/t post. for the cap rail, do a metal cap rail to meet code, then router a channel in the ipe and mount it to that. Done. It'll take a little bit of design time to ensure that all your proportions are right and everything ties together appropriately and structurally, but there are definitely ways to get the look you want while satisfying the permit store. Obviously not dimensionally accurate or really thought through in terms of attachments, but here's the gist.

I like the design in the photo you included with your question. Attaching the posts to the side of the balcony places the posts and other parts outside the balcony footprint, maximizing usable space. The bolts and are not visible from inside the balcony providing a clean look when viewed from within balcony. The bases of the posts in IloveRed's photo are, in contrast, fussy. Attaching the posts to the side may be stronger than attaching them to the top which might require some kind of bracket. -- amateur