Black Cable Railing for a Wooded Hillside Pool Deck

Project Overview

Project Info

• Project Location: Ironton, Ohio, USA
• Project Type: Residential Pool Deck, Perimeter Railing, and Outdoor Staircase
• Building Type: Single-Family Home
• Project Date: October 2026
• Contractor: Michael Floyd, Mi-De-Con, Inc. Contracting
• Railing System: BLIKA Black Side Mount Cable Railing System

Products Used in This Project

• BLIKA 42-inch Level Drilled Side Mount Posts
• BLIKA 42" Angle Drilled Side Mount Posts
• BLIKA 42-inch Side Mount Inner Corner Posts
• BLIKA 42-inch Side Mount Outer Corner Posts
• BLIKA 3/16" T316 Stainless Steel Cable
• BLIKA Stainless Steel Black Cable Railing Handrails
• BLIKA Black Invisible Swage Kits
• BLIKA Anchor Terminals for Corner Posts

Project Challenges

The main challenge was to create a safe and practical railing layout without blocking the open views around the pool and backyard. The homeowner wanted the railing to fit the modern look of the composite deck while keeping the wooded landscape visible.

The project also had several layout challenges:

• Handling stairs and corners. The layout included straight railing sections, angled stairways, and inside and outside corners. Each section needed the right post type and connection points to follow the deck's shape.
• Choosing materials for poolside use. The railing would face moisture, poolside conditions, and changing Ohio weather. The materials needed good corrosion resistance and regular care to stay in good condition.
• Keeping a consistent look. The posts, handrails, and cables needed to work together. A matte black finish helped tie the different sections into one design.

These challenges called for a railing system that could fit the deck's different sections, handle outdoor conditions, and preserve the open feel of the poolside space.

The BLIKA Solution

By deploying BLIKA's side-mount system, the installation team maximized the usable surface area of the deck while creating a secure, elegant barrier around the pool:

BLIKA used different post types to match each part of the deck. Level drilled posts were used for straight sections, while left- and right-angle posts followed the stair slopes. Inner and outer corner posts helped handle changes in direction.

The side-mount design attached the posts to the side of the deck rather than placing them on top. This helped keep more usable deck space and gave the railing a clean, simple look.

For the cable system, the project used 3/16-inch T316 stainless steel cable with matching tensioning hardware. T316 stainless steel offers better corrosion resistance than T304 stainless steel in many outdoor and poolside conditions. It is a suitable choice for areas exposed to moisture and pool chemicals.

Black stainless steel handrails and matching connectors brought the different railing sections together. The 30° beveled washers helped guide the cable at stair terminations, while the deck gates provided access through the railing.

Contractor Feedback

"This project required precise planning across straight runs, stair angles, and corners. BLIKA’s cable railing system and hardware made the installation incredibly smooth. The matte black finish paired with the stainless steel cables gave the pool deck a stunning, high-end modern look that our client loves." — Michael Floyd, Mi-De-Con, Inc. Contracting

Need Help Planning Your Cable Railing Project?

Every deck has a different layout, and choosing the right posts, cables, and fittings can make installation easier.

BLIKA offers free project design assistance to help homeowners and contractors plan their cable railing systems. We can help you select suitable components and prepare a layout based on your project dimensions.

Explore BLIKA Cable Railing Systems or contact our team to request a free custom project design and quote.