Deck and porch railings aren’t just for safety and security, they can also give the look of your home a real lift.

The main purpose of installing porch or deck railings is for safety and security, but your choice of railings will also have a major impact on the look of your home. It’s very important to choose railings which match the architectural style of your house, and give your home the look and feel you want. The choice of designs which is available these days is absolutely vast, so with a little searching you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can choose from a wide range of materials, including classic natural timber, durable wood composite materials, aluminum, stunning copper and brass, or elegant wrought iron. If you’re looking for something really special, there are specialist artists who can create a unique design for an individual look.

You can have your deck or porch railings professionally installed, or if you’re reasonably handy and you have some time to spare, installing them yourself is a nice, simple DIY project. Pre-fabricated railing systems make the job very easy, as they don’t require any cutting or drilling.

Building deck and porch railings.

Before you begin choosing a design and buying materials, it’s essential that you check the building regulations which apply in your local area. Your local authorities will also be a good source of information and advice on building safety. Deck railings will normally be required if the deck is more than about thirty inches off the ground, and optional for lower decks. There will be a minimum height for the railing, normally around thirty eight to forty inches or so, and a maximum spacing between the balusters of between four and nine inches.