Railing Ideas for Your Home Deck

Posted On 14th April 2017

Whether you are renovating your deck or starting from scratch, you have a lot of choices during the planning process. One of those many choices is what type of railings to use. It seems like a small detail, but your railings are what truly give your space character—and the chance for some creativity!

Ultimately, there is really no completely right or wrong railing choice, but certain options can work better depending on your deck’s style, needs, and your vision for it. Here are some common railing ideas to get you started on your project.

Deck Railing Materials

There are several materials to choose from when considering deck railings. Remember you aren’t bound to the same look as your deck’s base material; you can mix it up to fit your home and your personal style. It’s ultimately about deciding what works best for your situation.

Let’s start with the most common material: Wood - Wooden handrails are affordable, long-lasting and will look good on most decks, especially those that are wooden themselves. They are a great choice for the average project and budget. You can add your own character to wooden railings by painting them and adding end caps, which we’ll talk about below.

On the other hand, you might prefer purely metal railings for a more polished, industrial look. The bonus here is that metal often needs refinishing less frequently than wood if at all depending on the metal used.

If you still like wood but want to make things more interesting, combine wood and stainless steel cable railing posts for some visual complexity.

Now, if you’re into a more modern, open style, you might prefer the look of glass. You can keep it simple with some glass panel railings for an almost completely unobstructed, transparent view. These are often best for areas where privacy is not as important, or if you live in an area that’s not open to many people passing by.

Deck Rail Styling

Depending on where you live, there might be building codes that dictate which railings material you can use and where they can be placed. Beyond that, though, you can get creative with a few styling tips:

  • End caps offer a functional and decorative touch to the top of your railings. If you’re using vertical railings, you can also add a horizontal top bar for some added visual interest.
  • Use your railings as a style complement to the rest of your deck. For example, if your deck furniture is already colorful, you might want a more simple, toned-down look for your railings.
  • Consider the different shapes and sizes For example, besides round, you can order rectangular, square, or extra thick or thin railings beyond the traditional style.
  • Curved or angled railings are also a fun idea for more elaborate decks and to increase the sense of openness.

Choosing the best railings for your deck can be a complex process, but the wide range of options also makes it a fun and creative endeavor. And once you’ve found what’s right for you, you’ll have a deck that you can enjoy for many years to come!

For even more ideas and inspiration, check out what customers have done with railings in our customer gallery.