Deck railing makes your home safer, and also, adds to is beauty and look. The deck railing you choose is one of the finishing touches to your home, and as such needs to be carefully chosen. Of course, safety is the main consideration when you choose a style and type of railing, and ease of maintenance is another major factor. However, the aesthetics of deck railing should not be taken lightly. The wrong railing can mess up the entire design of a house and stand out like a sore spot.
Materials to choose from
There is a wide variety of materials to choose from for your deck railings. Here are some top picks:
1. Builder railings
These are a common type of railing with beveled 2-by-2 wood pickets fastened to the top edge and the rim joist off the deck. The rim joist is the outer wood band in the deck frame below.
2. Custom wood railings
As the name suggests, these railings refer to wood railings of almost any shape and size. The number of styles and designs available is entirely left to the imagination of the designer.
3. Vinyl and metal railings
These railings use aluminum inserts in standard wood deck railings, and they are rather popular for DIY projects. They are easy to make, and components like metal sleeve inserts and pre-fabricated vinyl extrusions and handrails are easily available. Aluminum deck railings are available as screw-together extrusions. The glass inserts either are made of Plexiglas or tempered glass. They offer an open view without sacrificing safety.
4. Metal railings
Metal deck railings use metal throughout, and the designs can range from basic welded and painted metal railings to well-designed railings with architectural aluminum and powder coating. Metals work well with most woods, although red cedar is not recommended with any metal except aluminum.
5. Composite railings
Most composites for deck railings use metal for reinforcement, but many of them offer the looks of wood. The design choices and looks are minimal, since most composites just mimic wood patterns.
The different styles available with deck railings
The styles to choose from depend mostly on the type of material you use for your deck railing. If you use any pre-fabricated deck railing, you are usually limited to modern or colonial styles. There is little scope for customization. Metal deck railings are available with simple and minimalistic designs in most cases.
Custom wood and metal railings are available in a wide range of styles and scope. For those who want to go wild with their exterior design, these types of deck railings are the best choices.
The type of home also makes a difference. Masonry homes look good with metal deck railings, as does any home that aims at an unobstructed view of the outside. Homes with wood trimming or natural cedar elements look best with finished wood deck railings. Similarly, homes with plenty of vinyl work well with solid-color stained or vinyl deck railings. If you plan on a deck railing outside, the design has match the architecture of the home as closely as it can because it is an extension of the main structure.
Materials to choose from
There is a wide variety of materials to choose from for your deck railings. Here are some top picks:
1. Builder railings
These are a common type of railing with beveled 2-by-2 wood pickets fastened to the top edge and the rim joist off the deck. The rim joist is the outer wood band in the deck frame below.
2. Custom wood railings
As the name suggests, these railings refer to wood railings of almost any shape and size. The number of styles and designs available is entirely left to the imagination of the designer.
3. Vinyl and metal railings
These railings use aluminum inserts in standard wood deck railings, and they are rather popular for DIY projects. They are easy to make, and components like metal sleeve inserts and pre-fabricated vinyl extrusions and handrails are easily available. Aluminum deck railings are available as screw-together extrusions. The glass inserts either are made of Plexiglas or tempered glass. They offer an open view without sacrificing safety.
4. Metal railings
Metal deck railings use metal throughout, and the designs can range from basic welded and painted metal railings to well-designed railings with architectural aluminum and powder coating. Metals work well with most woods, although red cedar is not recommended with any metal except aluminum.
5. Composite railings
Most composites for deck railings use metal for reinforcement, but many of them offer the looks of wood. The design choices and looks are minimal, since most composites just mimic wood patterns.
The different styles available with deck railings
The styles to choose from depend mostly on the type of material you use for your deck railing. If you use any pre-fabricated deck railing, you are usually limited to modern or colonial styles. There is little scope for customization. Metal deck railings are available with simple and minimalistic designs in most cases.
Custom wood and metal railings are available in a wide range of styles and scope. For those who want to go wild with their exterior design, these types of deck railings are the best choices.
The type of home also makes a difference. Masonry homes look good with metal deck railings, as does any home that aims at an unobstructed view of the outside. Homes with wood trimming or natural cedar elements look best with finished wood deck railings. Similarly, homes with plenty of vinyl work well with solid-color stained or vinyl deck railings. If you plan on a deck railing outside, the design has match the architecture of the home as closely as it can because it is an extension of the main structure.
