We did go with Railing works, and recommend them highly! We've gotten lots of compliments in the years since. The color fits our stucco, and the cables almost disappear as we're looking through the railing to our back yard Our experience was very pleasant, and the results awesome. They were knowledgeable, easy to work with. Easy to get samples of color and the top/bottom etc. elements, so which is what persuaded my skeptical DH that this was precisely machined, excellent powder coating, a very clever design, and could be a DIY project. They worked with DH to choose the type of attachments to the deck, and also to the concrete stairs. In collaboration with them, we supplied the specifications for the railing, including all turns and stairs -- they answered all his questions, mailed diagrams back and forth till my engineer husband was certain it was all nailed down. The "kit" came with clear instructions. It did require cutting the top and bottom rails to for some of the 90-degree angles; DH has a circular saw, so that wasn't a problem, though My husband and sons (16 and 10) installed the railings around our deck, and also next to the stairs to our front entrance. I can't praise it enough!

I too was worried about water infiltration, so I did a test run of a baluster in a 3/4" hole. It requires a fair amount of "persuation" with a rubber mallet to fit. Figured water infiltration wouldnt be such a worry at that point, considering how tight the fit was. I still dab some caulk around the outer perimeter of the hole before the baluster goes in, but Im pretty confident water wont be an issue. As far as the stair railings, its really easy if you have a *big* drill press......my Craftsman homeowner 9" drill press will not allow the railing stock to fit under the bit with the drill press table on the right angle for the stairs. So I need to use more interesting ways of making sure I drill on the correct angle. This is where Johns idea of cutting the connectors and balusters would work a lot better, and I might go that route if I can figure out exactly what length they need to be cut to (since the other balusters are 3/4" into each rail, to get the stair railings to match I might need to shorten each baluster). -Chris

We have two quotes so far. Two are frameless to ceiling glass options with one continuous rail on one side only, rail in steel. Prices came in at $9,200 and 10,500. We are still waiting in a quote for a framed in glass option with powder coated aluminum. Not that it matters as it’s just a line item for now but $6700 has been budgeted for it. So far builder is bang on with his railing quotes as the exterior railings came in at slightly under budget. So we know the high end but not the lower for sure yet. Should get the concrete numbers early this week.

Most likely there is a grounding grid there is already which was done when pool was built. Most likely you would have to ground just the handrail. If I'm not mistaken, all metal components (I think) within 5’ of the water’s edge of the pool including handrails, ladders, slides, etc the metal parts which embedded into concrete have to be bonded to that grid. I'm not an electrician so don't hold me to it, I have a few friends who build pools they been talking about this stuff... Your best bet is to call a local licensed electrician and ask, they up with the requirements they will know.