Your deck needs deck handrails in order to be both practical and safe to navigate. Although deck railings and handrails may undoubtedly give your deck polish, charm, and unique touch, their main purpose is to avoid accidental falls and slips when a person is ascending the deck steps and to act as a security barrier when accessing the elevated parts of the deck.
Explore the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Deck Handrail Materials
Glass
Homeowners go for tempered glass railing systems as they offer overall elegance. Although picket railing systems offer a good view outside, they fall short when compared to a glass railing system’s transparency. Choosing glass is a great method for making sure that the view is kept and unhindered if your balcony or patio has a lovely view. Some potential downsides or drawbacks of glass railing systems include the modest price difference (glass is more expensive) and the fact that glass railings are quite hard to maintain as they need to be cleaned both inside and outside to preserve their shine.
Wood
Wood is a popular and all-natural construction material. Unfortunately, if a wooden deck railing isn’t maintained, it will eventually rot. Mold and rot should never be allowed since they can compromise the structural integrity of deck rail balusters, which could lead to highly dangerous situations for an elevated deck. If you want wood and are not sure which type to choose, cedar is a good option for a deck railing since it is both strong and appealing. When a colorant is added in conjunction with anti-rot chemicals, spruce, fin, or pine can also be an option as they are significantly less expensive but still resembles cedar. As long as maintenance is not an issue, a wood deck railing is an excellent choice. It should be noted that if the surface isn’t frequently refinished, warpage, splinters, and fading can ruin the appearance of the wooden deck.
Aluminum
Once built, aluminum balcony railing systems can be attractive. But because aluminum is a soft metal, even coated alloys can easily crack, corrode, deform, scratch, or scrape. If you’re on a budget and not really after the longevity of the railing, this is a good option.
Plastic
At first glance, vinyl balcony railing systems might seem appealing, but in reality, vinyl is merely a fancy name for plastic. It might also crack on top of that. Vinyl might be a good option for a cheap deck rail, but if an elegant appearance is desired, installing a plastic railing should be avoided. Composite deck railing is designed to be a less expensive rot-resistant substitute for real wood. Natural wood, colorants, and plastic are all combined to create composites. Few people would consider a polished composite rail to be even close to elegant. Moreover, because many composites won’t take paint, color changes would necessitate totally dismantling and rebuilding the railing. When in doubt, keep in mind that cheap often appears cheap.
Wrought iron
A deck railing system can have a vintage appearance by using wrought iron, which goes well with classic styles. Wrought iron deck railings are frequently painted black and manufactured in this color. Although wrought iron is more durable than aluminum, it needs more upkeep than stainless steel. To prevent rust, this additional care entails painting.
Metal or Stainless Steel
If you are after long-term value and a clean and sleek appearance, stainless steel or metal railings are the one for you. As the word “stainless” suggests, metal deck railing systems require less care and maintenance. Many businesses offer a range of stainless steel deck railings for self-installation or professional installation.
Always Place Direct Orders from Reliable Manufacturers
If you want to customize some sections of your deck railing, you can purchase deck railing parts online. When acquiring deck railing components, be careful because some of the deck railing brackets that are sold on Amazon.com definitely won’t fit any deck railing. Because of this, it is still advisable to do business with a company that provides design consulting for unique projects.
Watch Out for Foreign Manufacturers for Fraud
A grade of metal that isn’t quite as corrosive resistant as A316 can also be used to make components of a deck railing system. Furthermore, a product ad might specify the grade as A316, but that may not be true because of the prevalence of fraud in some merchants. Just like how you shouldn’t buy gold from an unknown Amazon seller, never purchase a stainless-steel railing from one too. On the other hand, American-based manufacturers are closely controlled and subject to regular internet reviews.
Conclusion
A deck without sturdy and long-lasting railings is an accident waiting to happen. Additionally, installing deck railings is far more inexpensive than paying off numerous medical costs. Regardless of the deck railing option you choose, be sure to work with a trustworthy contractor. Don’t waste the money you’ve worked so hard to get on cheap builders that offer low-quality products.
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