Not if the posts and spacing are right. Cable is under real tension, and the load has to be carried by properly sized end posts with intermediate supports at the correct spacing. That engineering is where cheap cable installations fail. We size and space the structure for the run rather than fitting a generic kit.

Less than people expect on the metal, more than expected on the glass. Powder coated and stainless components need little beyond occasional cleaning. Glass panels show water spots and fingerprints and want regular washing, which is worth knowing before you choose them for an exterior Seattle deck that faces months of rain.

Often very well, particularly in a renovated one. A minimal glass or cable railing against original woodwork creates a deliberate contrast that reads as a considered renovation rather than a mismatch. What tends not to work is a half measure, a railing that is neither clearly period nor clearly modern. We would rather commit to one direction.

It comes down to the view and the upkeep. Glass gives the most open result and is the choice when a view matters, but it needs regular cleaning, especially outdoors in Seattle. Cable nearly disappears at a distance and asks for very little maintenance beyond occasional tension checks. Metal bar infill and panels give more presence and more privacy than either, and the bars can run vertically, horizontally, or in a mixed pattern. We look at the setting and tell you which actually suits it.