Decks add value to any home. They provide a lovely outdoor space where you can entertain family members and guests on special occasions or just unwind at night after a busy day. But can you imagine a deck extending from your home without rails or perhaps an outdoor garden or patio without handrails? It would surely look bare and uninviting, wouldn’t it?
Deck rails are great additions to balconies and outdoor gardens. They not only serve an aesthetic purpose but they can also protect you, your loved ones and guests from accidents.
Originally, deck rails were used as a protective tool. In the past, railings were used depending on the homeowner’s preference. Today, though, local building codes call for the installation of railings for decks and patios. A one-step deck can be installed without railings but for high rise decks, railings are a must.
A railing is normally attached between main posts. Ideally, each section should be five feet in length and should have a top and bottom rail. In the installation process, the railing’s bottom part should be at least two inches above the deck and also two inches below the top portion of the post to which it will be attached. As for the post, it should be 38 inches in height while the spindles should measure at least 28 inches high.
The spindles are an important consideration when having your deck railings customized. Keep in mind that railings are supposed to serve as a safety measure hence, always make sure that the spacing of the spindles is one and a half inches apart. Wider spacing will only allow children to squeeze through them thereby resulting in accidents.
Wood is the most traditional materials used in making railings. Other materials, however, have evolved and these include metal, vinyl, glass and composite. A combination of these materials will create a stylish railing.
The cheapest material available is wood. If you go for this, the best wood to use are cedar, treated wood or redwood. For a maintenance-free deck railing, the vinyl material is best. If you want a more durable railing that will last for a long time and you have the budget for it, the metal railing is perfect. Composite materials have also become very popular in recent years and the advantage is that they come in many styles and colors.
Using a glass railing will need certain considerations. Being a breakable material, homeowners will need to choose a thicker glass preferably with a thickness of 3/8 inch. It is recommended as well that the glass to be used should not be the clear type but should rather be tinted to prevent birds from flying through it.
Homeowners today have a wide range of deck railing designs to choose from. If you want to have an attractive deck railing that you and your family can enjoy, take into account the overall design of your home. Depending on your personal preference, you can go for a modern design or choose a more traditional deck design. You can even build your own deck railing if you wish.
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