deck railing
The Railing You Choose Makes a Statement
From most vantage points, the vertical elements of a deck are more visible than the horizontal decking. That means that the railing you choose defines the look and style of your deck. This section takes you on a quick tour of the most common design approaches to deck railings.
Railings don’t fit neatly into standard architectural categories like “Victorian,” “Cape Cod” or even “Modern.” You will probably have trouble finding a railing that perfectly matches your house’s style.
Instead, spend some time finding parts to create a railing style that will both complement your home’s design and stand out on its own. Depending on the view from your deck and from inside your home, you may want a railing you can look through with minimal obstruction, or you may prefer a more solid railing that calls attention to itself.
Below are some examples of the types of railings we typically install and the benefits of each.
Glass Railings
Aluminum Posts and Rails, with Glass Panel
Cable Railings
Cable railings is another option that offers nearly unobstructed views of the scenery beyond the confines of your deck. There are various methods and products for constructing cable railing, from complete guard systems to simple cable and turnbuckle products.
These manufactured products must be installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements. Adhering to the installation instructions will give you as close of an installation as possible to that which was originally tested. Guards at the edge of elevated decks have an important job in resisting the force of people leaning or falling into them. Manufacturers must either engineer or test their products to prove that they will support building code design loads, so don’t worry!
Cable railing is a hybrid of materials, as the cables are installed in frames of wood, aluminum or composite. Generally, long cables can run straight through intermediate posts, allowing for faster installation. At corner posts, cables are usually terminated in a turnbuckle and a new cable is connected to the side to continue around the deck.
Stainless steel, the common material for cable railings, is relatively soft steel that will stretch over time. Expect to periodically tighten the turnbuckles as the cable stretches to its general limit.
Composite or Aluminum Posts and Rails with Cable Rail Inserts
Composite Railing
Composite guard railings offer a low-maintenance option for railing. Most low-maintenance decking manufacturers offer one or more railing systems to compliment their flooring products. You will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of colors, styles and options. These systems are available in kits that are relatively easy to install. They are a beautiful, durable, classic option for any deck.
Composite Rails, Balusters, and Posts
Metal Railing
In addition to metal baluster systems that are used in combination with wood there are also rail systems composed completely of metal.
Aluminum can be cut with a standard saw blade just like wood to be custom fitted to your design. Some systems come in premanufactured steel panels that are easy to install.
Aluminum Rails, Balusters, and Posts
Aluminum Rails, Posts and Mesh Panel
Aluminum Posts and Rails, with Rod Rail Insert
Composite Posts, Aluminum Rails and Balusters
Composite Rails, Posts and Aluminum Balusters
