Deck Railing Quality, Cost and Maintenance Comparison

As peanut butter needs jelly, decks need railings. (Actually, in many cases, they are literally required by law.) However, with the many different available options of Deck Railings on the market right now and considering their importance and prominence in your decking project, it becomes a tiring and confusing task to settle on the right one for you. That’s why I am here!

This post will outline the pros and cons of the most popular Deck Railing options on the market, and give you a couple of tips for choosing the right railing for your particular project.

Alex Krupin,

Director of Composite Deck Shop

Best Types of Deck Railing

The best type of Deck Railing depends on various factors such as project style, budget, maintenance and personal preferences.

The most popular Deck Railing types are:

Railing Type	Deck Railing Type’s pros and cons
Wood Deck Railing	Offers a classic and natural look, but requires frequent maintenance.
Aluminum Picket Railing	Provides a sleek and modern appearance and requires little to no maintenance.
Framed Glass Railing	Creates a contemporary and unobstructed view, but requires regular cleaning to maintain transparency.
Frameless Glass Railing	Provides unparalleled look and visibility, but requires regular transparency maintenance.
Composite Deck Railing	Offers the amazing look of wood texture and is nearly maintenance free.

Best Types of Outdoor Railing

Consider your specific requirements and choose a deck railing that complements your deck design, meets your aesthetic preferences and is inline with the aesthetics and local building codes. Don’t hesitate to call our Composite Deck Shop Deck Railling Experts at 888 788-6788 if you need a professional advice.

Wood Deck Railing

Let’s get this one out of the way. Wood railings used to be the standard option for any and all decks. Things have changed. Wood requires frequent maintenance, loses its colour, and will crack and splinter much faster than aluminum or composite railing.

The one advantage of wood – it can be painted any colour – has now become a common feature of many other railing systems, and can no longer be considered unique.

Overall, unless your deck is made of wood (which it shouldn’t be in this day and age), your railings shouldn’t be either.

Wood Railing Pros	Wood Railing Cons
+ Cheap	-Frequent maintenance
+ Can be painted	– Fades
	– Cracks and splinters

Aluminum Picket Deck Railing

On the other side of the spectrum, we have aluminum picket deck railings. This is the new standard. Aluminum is far more durable than wood, it does not lose its colour, needs very little maintenance (if any), and is an order of magnitude easier to install.

The only argument you could possibly make against aluminum picket is the fact that it generally comes in either black or white, but that falls apart when you realize that 80% of railings are already those colours, and it is possible to find them in others.

If you aren’t set on which railing to get – get aluminum picket. I personally recommend a flat top rail and a matte black finish for that satisfying modern look.

Aluminum Railing Pros	Aluminum Railing Cons
+ No Maintenance	-Small Colour Variety
+ No fading or peeling
+ Easy install

Aluminum-Framed Glass Deck Railing

Something that I am often asked about is – “should I get glass railings?” The answer is very simple – Yes, if you don’t mind the cost.

Aluminum-framed glass railings have all the advantages of aluminum, plus they don’t obstruct your view nearly as much, but will need a little bit more maintenance (the glass will get dirty over time.) They are completely safe, as the glass panels are made of 6mm tempered safety glass – the same stuff as the glass floor in the CN Tower.

What is going to make or break this choice for you is the price difference. If you want to know more, we have a Deck Railing Price Comparison table you should look at on our Deck Railing page.

Framed Glass Railing Pros	Framed Glass Railing Cons
+ Low maintenance	– Small colour variety
+ No fading or peeling	– Premium cost
+ Open view

Frameless Glass Deck Railing

Now, if you liked the sound of ‘won’t obstruct your view’ in the last section, I have the perfect product for you. Frameless glass railings pretty much describe themselves – there is no frame.

The extra-thick (up to 15mm) custom glass panels are set into clamps or u-channels which are secured directly to your deck. This provides unparalleled visibility, but will be a little more difficult to install, and will come at a premium.

To put it simply: exceptional beauty, but at what cost?

Frameless Glass Railing Pros	Frameless Glass Railing Cons
+ Some maintenance	– Premium cost
+ Incredible view	– Tricky installation

Composite Deck Railing

Finally, for those of you who want to perfectly match your deck and railing; decking manufacturers have caught on and started making it from the same material.

The top 3 American producers: Trex, Fiberon, and Timbertech each have their own railing options. Each one of them has a variety of colour, style, and installation options, and it would be impossible to go over everything in a short blog.

The price range is higher than aluminum pickets, but lower than glass. Installation is a little more complex because of the amount of small parts, and there is a bit of a lead time if you want to purchase them, but for many, it is all worth the elevated aesthetics of this railing system.

Composite Railing Pros	Composite Railing Cons
+ No maintenance	– Tricky installation
+ Colour variety	– Difficult to find extra parts
+ Reasonable cost

Which Deck Railing is the best?

This answer depends on your budget and the characteristics you are looking for in your railing: durability, maintenance requirements, and looks, as well as the requirements of the local building codes.

Trying to take all this information into consideration could be overwhelming. As someone who has been in this field for a while now, I would recommend the following:

Decide what the most important function of your railing is to you: The Look, Low Maintenance or Cost.
Pick out two Deck Railing types that fit your criteria.
Get a professional estimation and advice.

If you are currently looking to build a deck railing, you could take a look at our Railings Page for inspiration and additional information. We also have railing experts ready to help. Don’t hesitate to call us at 888 788-6788 any time.

Deck Railing FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Outdoor Deck Railings, its maintenance and cost.

Do I have to install railings?

In Ontario (where we are located), typically, any deck above 2ft must legally have railings. On a low deck, no. But they look nice.

Do aluminum railings rust?

No.

Aluminum is one of the best suited materials for outdoor railing. It has lower cost than steel, and does not rust like iron.

Framed and frameless glass systems use aluminium posts and rails to secure the glass.

How long can I expect my railings to last?

Anything that isn’t wood should last at least 20 years. Fortress Aluminum railings have a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

What is the maximum width between Deck Railing posts?

The maximum width between railing posts are 6ft for glass railing systems and 8ft for Aluminum Picket and Composite Deck Railings.

How do you install stair railings?

Aluminum railings come with adjustable panels.
All other systems need to be cut and measured manually.
All railings have adjustable brackets made for stairs.

How much do railings cost?

Please, have a look at our Deck Railing Price Table for everything we offer.

Can I install a drink-rail?

Yes, Composite Rails and Aluminum Rails (including aluminum-framed glass) allows for drink rail installation.

Are wire or cable railings legal in Canada?

Some people mistakenly believe wire railing are illegal in Ontario. They are not. Vertical wire railings are perfectly fine and pass all safety codes. Horizontal wire railings do not pass safety codes in Ontario and Quebec, but are good-to-go anywhere else, or if your deck is less than 2ft off the ground.