When most people think of deck railing , their first thought is that they are typically regarded as a safety feature meant to protect from falling off. However, these railings are hardly JUST installed for the sake of safety. Deck railings also add a lot of character and beauty to the generally flat surface of a deck and can really make the look of a deck complete. Picking the perfect deck railing may take some time since there are so many options. Luckily, we have an article for you to help make the decision a little easier! Below are a few popular options to consider when choosing railings for your new deck.
#1. Wood Deck Railing:
Wooden deck railings are the most traditional style available. They are extremely customizable and come in a variety of designs such as pressure treated lumber, cedar, mahogany, and redwood just to name a few. You can pick from many species of wood, each with its own defining color, hardness, and special characteristics. For example, cedar is known for its durability and natural pest resistance. Pressure treated lumber is the most budget friendly choice and is also very durable despite its lower cost. It holds up well to the outdoor elements while being easy to paint, stain, and refinish.
Other than wood species, you also have many railing design patterns to decide between. The most common choice is the traditional deck railing design. This design features your classic straight posts all throughout the railing and pairs well with all home styles. However, if you’re going for a trendier-looking design, the traditional straight post look may not be what you’re looking for. Trendier designs include more complex interlocking patterns using angled and dynamic posts for a more architecturally interesting aesthetic. You can also choose a sunburst pattern that can be easily customized to fit your look. If you want more of a wall instead of a rail for your deck, consider a lattice panel design. These use panels of crisscrossing wood to create a more solid looking rail. It’s a great system if you want to grow plants around the deck to climb the rails.
You can also have built-in seating that uses your wooden rails as the backing if you want your rails to serve more than one function! Built-in seating is fantastic if you plan on entertaining guests outside. If you want even more out of your deck, consider having your outdoor benches double as storage benches for the ultimate outdoor seating setup!
Wood is a very flexible and affordable railing option. It requires regular maintenance due to its porous nature to keep it in good condition. Keep this in mind especially if you’re wanting a more complex design, as the extra curves and or crevices will make maintenance more difficult. Maintenance of a wood railing will typically include cleaning, staining, and or painting to keep it structurally sound.
#2. Metal Deck Railing:
Aluminum/Metal rails are also a very popular option. They are most popularly manufactured from aluminum, galvanized steel, and iron. Metal rails are very customizable and be made into many different shapes thanks to the malleable nature of metal. The balusters can be made thinner than wood because of their extra durability, allowing better viewing beyond and behind the deck railing.
Steel railings are not a very commonly used because of steel’s susceptibility to rusting. If you decide to go with this material, do keep in mind that preventing rust on a steel deck will require regular maintenance to keep your rails in good shape. Aluminum is a much better material for deck railings because it is completely rust resistant. It can withstand harsh weather conditions without much upkeep and doesn’t require much maintenance to keep in good condition. It is one of the most popular options for metal railings and comes in various finishes such as powder coat.
Wrought iron is a perfect choice for Victorian homes thanks to their stately and regal look. The balusters often feature ornate designs that catch the eye while also providing plenty of visibility to the landscape beyond. The main downfall of wrought iron is that it rusts VERY easily. It’s even more susceptible to rust than steel and it can be nearly impossible to prevent rust with constant exposure to the weather.
Bonus – A Mixture of Wood & Metal:
If you want to have the best of both worlds and a unique design, consider combining wood and metal for your rails! With this design choice you can mix things up with wooden posts and metal balusters for a very contemporary looking design. The metal balusters can be either straight or arched depending on taste like any other metal baluster design.
#3. Composite Railing:
Unsurprisingly, one of the most commonly used railing systems for a composite deck is composite material. These are made from a mixture of wood particles and plastic and are extremely weather-resistant and maintenance-free. Composite rails require zero maintenance thanks to their ability to repel water and withstand constant exposure to the elements. It does a good job of being a convincing wood doppelganger while being more resistant to the elements.
Despite these incredible benefits, composite does have a few disadvantages. It is impossible to repair a small patch of damaged material and require a full replacement of the damaged piece whereas metal and wood can be patched up. Composite also does not come in many color choices. Composite rails are about the same price of aluminum rails while being less structurally durable, so we recommend choosing aluminum for a composite deck over composite unless you’re not a fan of the look of metal.
#4. Cable Railing:
This railing option is a newer and trendy choice that allows for the clearest view from your deck. They have a sleek and modern look that can pair well with more contemporary houses. Cables provide a sturdy barrier between the inside and outside of the deck that won’t obscure the view. The thinner cables take up much less space than both wood and metal, making them a great choice if you want the most open look possible from your deck. These railings can have the cables running either horizontal or vertical with no major benefits of either configuration over the other. Cable railing is quite a bit more expensive compared to other options available… but is worth the extra cost if you want the most out of your surrounding landscape.
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