Discover Eco-Friendly Cable Railing Solutions for Sustainable Living

As an environmentally conscious homeowner or builder, your interest in sustainability is matched by a growing trend around the world, including those of us who produce sustainable cable railings. Today, more than ever, savvy homeowners see the critical importance of living in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible.

Selecting sustainable building materials is an impactful way to develop and maintain an eco-friendly lifestyle. Stainless steel and aluminum are two of the most eco-friendly building materials available for your home's railing systems. Not only are stainless steel and aluminum 100% recyclable, they're long-lasting, durable, easy to maintain, and don't produce the harmful VOC emissions found in paints, sealants, vinyls, and composites. Oh! And did we mention, beautiful?

If you're searching for eco-friendly cable railing, you need to look no further! Cable Bullet is the ideal source for your sustainable, recyclable products for your eco-friendly railing project. Our marine-grade stainless steel cable, aluminum posts, and corrosion-resistant components are sustainable alternatives to wood, vinyl, and composite railing materials. Read on to learn why!

Why Cable Railing is More Sustainable Than Traditional Materials

Explore the environmental concerns associated with vinyl, glass, and composite railing materials:

Vinyl Railing: Durability and Environmental Concerns

Most vinyl railing is produced from non-renewable plastics. Vinyl manufacturing involves synthesizing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a process that emits high levels of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, dioxin, and other dangerous chemicals and gasses. In general, vinyl manufacturing is a toxic process. Also: 

• While vinyl is low maintenance, the manufacturing process is energy-intensive. Vinyl isn't biodegradable and very hard to recycle. In fact, vinyl requires elaborate specialized recycling facilities and therefore most scrapped vinyl ends up in landfills.
• Vinyl railing can degrade under UV exposure, causing it to crack and peel. When vinyl degrades, it needs to be replaced because repairs aren't lasting or aesthetically pleasing.

• Cable Bullet's stainless steel cable systems provide a much more sustainable and durable solution compared to vinyl. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. More than 50% of today's stainless steel material results from recycling and is much less energy intensive to produce than vinyl.

Glass Railing: Energy-Intensive Production

Some think glass railings are a green building option because glass is made from abundant natural materials. Although glass is chemically inert and recyclable, both glass manufacturing and glass recycling consume extremely high amounts of energy. Therefore, glass railing is not a sustainable, eco-friendly building material. Also:

• Frequent cleaning is required to prevent condensation and airborne mineral and chemical deposits from staining the glass.
• Cable railing requires far less maintenance than glass. While glass railing panels should be cleaned weekly, cable railing can simply be wiped down every 6 months to a year, depending on the environment.

Composite Railing: Plastic-Based and Hard to Recycle

Plastic polymers combine with wood fibers to create a Wood-Plastic Composite (WPC) railing.

Some manufacturers use recycled wood fibers or recycled plastic, reducing the demand for virgin wood stock and/or plastic. Nonetheless, the manufacturing process is energy-intensive.

Also: 

• Composite railing is manufactured through either an extrusion or compression molding process. With extrusion, the raw materials are heated and then shaped. With compression molding, the raw materials are placed in a mold and then formed under high heat. Both processes require a large amount of energy.
• Composite railing can be difficult to recycle. 
• Specialized recycling facilities are required and may not be available where you live.
• Although composite can't usually be recycled in the traditional sense, it can be repurposed into other products such as planters or birdhouses.
• Cable Bullet's cable railing systems use 100% recyclable stainless steel and aluminum.

Sustainable Benefits of Cable Railing

As an environmentally conscious homeowner or builder, you want to know the key sustainability benefits of cable railing. They include:

Minimal Material Use

• Cable railing uses less material in comparison to vinyl or glass. 
• Choosing clean low-profile cable railing designs conserves resources and enhances sustainability. 
• Like you, Cable Bullet cares about our planet. We emphasize eco-friendliness and sustainability through careful product design. Once we receive a customer's project measurements, we only send the specific amount of material needed for their custom project. Take a look at our Signature Cable Railing Systems that illustrate our durable, safe, and beautiful minimal material approach.  

Low-energy Manufacturing Impact

As critical as it is to choose renewable and eco-friendly materials, low-energy manufacturing is equally important. 

• Enough energy is saved through recycled steel manufacturing to annually supply electricity to more than 18 million homes. 
• On the other hand, glass, vinyl, and composite products require energy-intensive manufacturing. 

Long-Lasting Durability

Durability is a key factor in determining sustainability because a product won't require replacement and will be long-lasting. Longevity helps reduce overall environmental impact because new materials don't need to be sourced.

• Cable railing is highly durable and designed to last for decades, reducing the need for replacement. Marine-grade stainless steel is highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and therefore extremely long-lasting.
• The corrosion resistance of marine-grade stainless steel cable railing makes it an ideal choice for coastal properties. 

Recyclability of Materials

To emphasize sustainability, we need to use materials that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Both stainless steel and aluminum are 100% recyclable, making them an ideal choice for sustainable homes.

Eco-friendly homeowners appreciate seeing used-up materials transformed into a new purpose, and they save money at the same time! As a good steward of the earth, be sure to consider recyclability when choosing your deck or stair railing materials. 

How to Maximize the Sustainability of Your Cable Railing Project

Take these specific steps to make your cable railing project more eco-friendly:

Use Eco-Friendly Installation Kits

Installation kits minimize waste while streamlining the process. 

• Each and every required material and component is included in Cable Bullet's installation kits (like our Installation Kit for Wood Posts), eliminating overbuying by ensuring you have exactly what you need for a successful, eco-friendly installation.
• Careful planning will reduce your project's environmental footprint. And precise measuring will avoid frustration. Follow the old adage, "Measure twice, cut once"!

Choose Recyclable Materials

Stainless steel and aluminum railing are reliably 100% recyclable. 

• While some vinyl and composite railing manufacturers tout sustainability and eco-friendliness, not all of these products are recyclable. 
• Research the products' recycling capabilities. Also, be aware that vinyl and composite manufacturing is an energy-intensive process. 

Choosing 100% recyclable materials considerably reduces long-term environmental impact.

• Cable Bullet offers several excellent recyclable railing material options to support you in aiming to reduce your long-term environmental impact. 
• For example, Our Venture Series fully integrates T- 316 marine-grade stainless steel posts, handrails, spacer bars, and cables. 
• Our Signature Series combines aluminum with stainless steel. Each is an eco-friendly choice!

Consistent Maintenance for Longevity

Maintaining aluminum and corrosion-resistant marine-grade stainless steel railing is a breeze. All that's needed to extend their lifespan is an occasional wipe-down using soapy water and a clean, non-abrasive rag.

• If you live in a coastal environment, a periodic treatment with Boeshield Rust and Corrosion Protection or Cleaner will keep your cable railing looking beautiful for as long as you live in your home. 
• Taking the little time required for proper care reduces the need for future railing replacements – and avoiding the need for replacement ensures that your railing is fully sustainable.

Real-Life Sustainable Cable Railing Projects

Sustainable cable railing is the perfect complement to energy-efficient, eco-friendly living spaces. From off-the-grid cabins to glamping domes, cable railing is the environmentally friendly choice for safe, handsome, long-lasting railings. Let's see how Glamp Michigan uses cable railing in their luxury domes . . .

Energy-Efficient Glamping Domes

You get the best of both worlds when you glamp in the forests and lakes of Michigan. Not only can you enjoy all the comforts of home in an eco-friendly dome, you can completely immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. 

Glamp Michigan's inspirationally and thoughtfully designed glamping domes elevate their rustic luxury with cable railing. The designers chose cable railing on the interior stairs that access a loft bedroom. Cable railing allows for open view ways throughout the dome while providing security and safety for ascending and descending the stairway.

You can imagine how a wooden or vinyl railing would detract from the dome's contemporary aesthetic. Also, spindle wood or vinyl railing would obscure the spaciousness of the dome, making it seem small and enclosed. The sleek modern cable railing materials ideally enhance the attributes of the eco-friendly dome.

In addition to aesthetics and safety, the durability and strength of cable railing is a perfect fit with Michigan's seasonal climate variations. Below-freezing winters and warm humid summers can be hard on wood or vinyl railing. Sustainable cable railing can easily withstand temperature variations and is very easy to maintain. See the Cable Bullet gallery for more inspiration!

Choose Sustainable Cable Railing with Cable Bullet

As you explore railing for your sustainable home project, you simply can't go wrong with Cable Bullet's eco-friendly and innovative cable railing systems. You'll love our earth-friendly, recyclable materials – plus appreciate the benefits of durable design, minimal maintenance, easy installation, and aesthetic beauty. That's a lot to love, and those awesome benefits simply aren't available with other railing materials.

Cable Bullet's cable railing will enhance your eco-friendly lifestyle while supporting sustainability. If you're ready to learn more, our professional cable railing team is here to help and support you. Get in touch today!