A Guide to Deck Railings: 9 Questions to Help Sell Or Specify the Best Option for Every Project

With so many choices for material, color, and style, deck railings should be a key component of the design discussion when selling outdoor living spaces, not an afterthought. But what railing options are best for your customers? Below, Envision Outdoor Living Products, manufacturer of Envision composite decking and Fairway deck and porch railings, provides nine simple questions to consider when choosing a deck railing style and material — plus an easy three-step process to make the specification and buying process easier.

Here are the basic questions to ask during the railing selection process:

1. What is the required height in your area?
   The code will call for 36” or 42”.
2. Does the deck have a lot of angles?
   If there are level runs with angles, certain styles of railing will be more user friendly. Aluminum railings, for example, are the easiest to install on level angles. Composite railings also can be used but may require a larger post sleeve at the angle. The degree of angles is much more limited with vinyl railings.
3. What are the surroundings?
   Is there a view the customer wants to maintain? This will eliminate certain bulkier rail styles and can indicate a sleeker infill style.
4. What is the budget?
   From a materials standpoint, in general vinyl railings tend to be the most affordable, then steel, then composite, and then aluminum. In terms of infill styles, square balusters tend to be more budget friendly and then round balusters; glass panels and cable railing are more premium. But you also can mix and match to meet both budget and style needs.
5. What is the location?
   Coastal areas need railing materials that can withstand the salty, moist air, so vinyl, composite, and aluminum are a better option than steel.
6. Will the deck have lighting?
   A two-piece top rail will provide the most labor-friendly application of LED wiring. A two-piece design also makes it easier to access the lighting in the future should it need to be repaired.
7. Will the deck be used for frequent entertaining?
   If so, a drink rail may be a great fit, as it provides a flat surface for placing drinks and small plates.
8. What is the home’s style?
   Though there are no official rules, certain types of railings pair better with particular home styles. For example, an ultra-modern house will likely look best with slimmer top rails and balusters or with cable rail infill. In general, metals like aluminum and steel will have a sleeker look, while composite and vinyl are often the answer when traditional styles are desired.
9. Is the desired look bold or blended?
   The choice to match railing to decking or to use railing as a pop of detail comes down to personal preference. One way to help customers decide is to use an online deck visualizer tool, where they can experiment with decking and railing colors and styles to see what appeals and looks best.

Railing Selection in 3 Simple Steps

With four popular, low maintenance material options – aluminum, vinyl, composite, and steel – Envision’s Fairway Railing Collection takes the complexity out of choosing railing for projects and simplifies it down to three easy steps:

1. Choose a railing style: Choose a Modern, Designer, or Traditional rail style, a railing material, and an infill.
2. Choose posts: Residential or commercial heights with slim or large structural post and post sleeve options.
3. Choose accessories: Add style and function with lighting, drink rails, ADA handrails, and more.

To learn more about railing products and options, visit www.envisionoutdoorliving.com.

About Envision Outdoor Living Products

Envision Outdoor Living Products, a division of Envision Building Products LLC, provides exceptional outdoor living products to create the exact outdoor space homeowners desire. Envision Outdoor Living offers a wide range of high-quality, beautiful decking, railing, and accessories for pros and consumers, including Distinction^®, Expression^®, Ridge Premium, and EverGrain^® composite decking; Fairway^® Aluminum, Steel, Vinyl/PVC, and Composite railing solutions; and LED lighting, fencing, pergolas, and more. Learn more at www.envisionoutdoorliving.com.

Source: Envision Building Products, LLC