Custom Metal Railings for Stairs, Decks & Balconies in Reno & Lake Tahoe

Railings do two things: keep people safe and define the look of a space. In the Reno-Tahoe region, where mountain homes feature open staircases, elevated decks, and multi-level entries, the railing system is one of the most visible elements of the build.

Stock railings from catalogs get the job done structurally, but they rarely fit the architecture. Custom metal railings are built to the specific dimensions, angles, and design language of your project.

Exterior Railings for Mountain Conditions

Exterior railings in the Sierra face snow loads, ice buildup, freeze-thaw cycles, and intense UV. Material selection and finish quality determine how they hold up over time.

Hot-dipped galvanized steel is the most durable option for exterior applications. The zinc coating protects against corrosion in wet and snowy conditions. Galvanized railings can be left natural (bright silver that weathers to matte grey) or powder coated over the galvanizing for color.

Powder-coated steel without galvanizing works in covered or semi-protected applications but is less forgiving in full-exposure mountain conditions. At elevation, UV and moisture are both more intense, and coating failures show up faster than at lower altitudes.

Stainless steel components — particularly cable infill — provide corrosion resistance without coating. Marine-grade 316 stainless is standard for cable rail systems in the Sierra.

Interior Stair Railings

Interior railings have different priorities: finish quality, tactile feel, and design detail. Without weather exposure, the material options expand.

Hot rolled steel is the most popular choice for interior railings in mountain homes. The natural texture and warm grey-blue tones of the mill scale complement timber framing, stone, and concrete. Clear-coated hot rolled steel develops subtle variation that painted or powder-coated metals can't replicate.

Flat bar, round bar, and square tube are the most common stock shapes for interior railing components. Post caps, transitions, and decorative elements are fabricated as needed for each project.

Cable Rail Systems

Cable rail has become a defining feature of contemporary mountain architecture around Tahoe and Truckee. The horizontal stainless steel cables provide fall protection without obstructing views — which matters when you're looking at the lake, the mountains, or the forest from an elevated deck.

The posts and top rail can be stainless steel, painted steel, or wood. The cables themselves are almost always 316 stainless with threaded tensioning hardware at one end. Spacing between cables must meet building code — typically no more than 3 inches to prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through.

Code Requirements

Railing height requirements in Reno, Washoe County, and Placer County follow the International Residential Code: 36 inches minimum for residential, 42 inches for commercial and multi-family. Guard rails on decks, balconies, and elevated surfaces over 30 inches above grade are required. Graspability requirements apply to handrails on stairs.

For Tahoe-area projects, TRPA and local jurisdictions may have additional requirements. It's always worth confirming the specific code requirements with your building department before finalizing a railing design.

From Measurement to Installation

Custom railings require accurate field measurements — especially on stairs, curved sections, and multi-angle transitions. We fabricate from measurements or drawings provided by the contractor or builder. For complex projects, a site visit before fabrication avoids costly rework.

Railings are fabricated in sections at our Reno shop and delivered to the jobsite for installation. Mounting hardware, post base plates, and connection details are built into the fabrication so field work is focused on attachment — not modification.