Few homeowners realize that when you're planning the design and construction of a deck and patio, the deck railings are just as important as the deck itself. The railings provide the finishing touch and overarching style of the basic decking platform. Most homeowners and builders will use the same material for the railings as they do for the base decking material but it's not impossible to opt for a different material in the railings. When making the choice, you not only have to consider aesthetics but also the maintenance in the long term.
There are a variety of materials that you can use when installing deck railings (and keep in mind this refers to the entire unit that is placed as a buffer at the edge of your deck to prevent your friends and family from taking a nose dive off the end - including the posts, panels and handrails along the deck):
Common Deck Railings
The most typical kind of railing can be seen in homes around the U.S. in every state and every county. They are made up of beveled 2x2 wood pickets that have been fastened to a 2x6 on edge (at the top) and to the rim joist of the deck (which is the outer band of wood in your deck frame). This is a cheap and simple option that most deck and patio builders will do if no other custom option is requested.
Custom Deck Railings
Between the technology available to manufacturing companies and the skill of general contractors and deck builders, there's a lot of potential for customization when you're planning your deck and patio project from the platforms to the deck railings. Even the canopy. A custom and intricate design might require the approval of an engineer depending on how wild you get but creativity is the limit (along with the occasional zoning laws). Custom deck rails give you the chance to really own your design and make your outdoor living space stand out.
Prefab Vinyl Deck Railings
{These railings - often with aluminum inserts for strength - are becoming more popular with the DIY crowds as the metal deck comes together without any need for welding. Holes can be drilled into the 2x4's on the vertical and pressed together. Once a cap handrail is put into place the project is done. These prefab deck railings are available in most lumberyards. The benefit to these systems is that you can get either glass or Plexiglas inserts for your screw-together deck and patio railings. If your deck overlooks a pool area this can be a great way to maintain the view of your pool.|
Most prefabricated railings are made with metal inserts to help improve the strength and durability. These are fairly popular with DIY builders that want to install a deck and the railings on their own to save some money. These fabricated railings often go together easily with simple screw mounts and are often built to allow glass or Plexiglas inserts in the panels. If your deck is designed to surround or overlook a pool area it can give you a better view of the water or your yard.|Prefab railings tend to a bit more popular with people who want to save a bit on the bottom line while doing DIY projects. These deck railings are often reinforced with metal to add durability and easily come together with simple holes and screws. These are readily available at most lumberyards and are even designed to allow glass or Plexiglas panels to be inserted in order to enhance the view. If your deck overlooks a pool area this can be a great way to maintain the view of your pool.}
Composite Deck Railings
Composite deck railing is a material that you either love or you hate. Like fabricated railings it is reinforced by metal and it is often constructed to look very similar to popular wood. Composite allows a homeowner to install a deck that can resemble wood both in texture and polish at a fraction of the actual cost while holding the same durability. Some people simply don't like composite however as it doesn't give much room for customization.
{If you're looking for a unique deck and patio design, opt for using real wood in your deck railings. This will give you the most range and versatility in a custom deck design with your builder. Likewise the wood will provide long-lasting durability that's hard to get from cheaper composite materials.|
One of the best components for building deck railings is to stick with real wood. A general contractor will be able to create a custom railing that fits the style of your home as well as your own personal preferences without sacrificing integrity for cheaper materials. You'll have a keen design with long-lasting durability.|If you want room to breathe, to flex your creative muscles and to experiment with what your deck and patio can do for your home then consider sticking with traditional (or even exotic) woods while working with a general contractor. Wood gives you the most range and opportunity and is only marginally more expensive than some other materials. Couple the range with real durability and it's hard to settle on something other than real wood for your deck and patio.}
Author Resource:
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