We stepped our main deck level down one step (a small landing outside the door and then a step down to rest of deck) and then used a combination of black wrought iron vertical railing joined with wood decorative posts. I don't know the style of your home, and the overall "color" of your view (ie, if it's light, you may want white railing), but this worked very nicely for us. The white painted corner posts tied in with the traditional style of our home, and the iron blended with the trees/forest so that it is practically invisible from inside, yet the overall look makes the outside area a focal point rather than a railing distraction. Just an idea. I'm not sure if it was all that affordable. My husband did the woodwork, and brought in the iron guy to measure and fill in the railing lengths. Reeha

I can see Chippendale on the house you posted at Fri, Apr 25, 14 at 18:12. But, the photo of your house looks more like the one you posted at Thu, Apr 24, 14 at 19:30. That rendering does not look like an obvious match for Chippendale, to me. I guess it rests on which two renderings are closer to the look your house will have when finished. When do you need to decide? I understand why you see the cable as modern, but to me it is more casual that modern. That said, what i "hear" is that you don't like, so I would not even entertain it anymore. I would ask the architect for alternates or variations on the chippendale, and consider those. How lovely those verandahs will be no matter what! enjoy

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

you know your kids...so obviously take that into account, but every time I thought I had "safety-proofed"" something in my house, my oldest child (my only climber) would figure out some way to scale it. That is my kids too. I think at their current ages if they want to climb they will find a way regardless of the railing. I can see them going to get the ladder themselves and trying to sneak it through the house. Maybe I'll make the porch for adults only. LOL! What about samples, and I am not talking about the railing. Mark, I usually have an idea of where you're headed with the cryptic messages, but I'm not following this one. Can you explain what type of samples your referencing? @Doc5md, I'd love to see pics if you get a chance to post them!