Deck Railing Options

By Dave Holbrook
The Journal of Light Construction
September 2000
 

Americans spent approximately $713 million on new outdoor decks and porches in 1998 alone, topping all other categories including new kitchens, roofing, and siding. While there is no way of knowing how much of that money was spent on railings, there's no question that railings add cost and complexity to a deck project. Pre-engineered railing systems and pre-assembled modules may take some of the head-scratching out of design issues as well as the pricing of materials and labor.

While wood has long ruled the roost in deck construction, its shortcomings are well known. A regular diet of scraping, sanding, and painting is required to keep a wooden railing looking spiffy. Maintenance-free materials and finishes save everybody work, from the installer to the homeowner. Finding a system that looks like wood is a priority for some homeowners, while others are concerned only with durability and convenience. Price also play an important role; perhaps not surprisingly, the more it looks like "the real thing" the more it cost. In this article, we'll look at the feature and assembly details of some of the new railing systems.

DECKORATORS

The unique, custom look of a DecKorators railing is a result of your wood-working and their solid ¾-inch-diameter cylindrical aluminum balusters. The upper and lower railings are bored to receive the balusters, which are captured between them without adhesives or fasteners. Balusters are the most labor-intensive part of a railing paint job, but these have a baked or maintenance-free finish with four color options. Available embellishments include decorative centerpieces and aluminum finials for newel posts.

Deck Railing Comparison

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