Building a new backyard deck adds value and curb appeal to your home. But more than that it transforms your home from an average location for summer fun and holiday get-togethers into the place to be. Most decks are sizeable features and so it’s important that the design of the deck dovetails with and complements the design elements of the house. One of the largest components of the deck, and the one that is the most visible, is the railing system. Choosing the wrong type of railing or one that is not up to the task from a safety perspective can result in a deck that looks like it was cobbled together and may even be a safety hazard.

Picking the Right Deck Railings in Vaughan

The style of railing you choose for your deck along with the material it’s made from will go a long way toward determining if that deck is a visual and practical success. There are a lot of different materials you could choose but only one will be right for your deck. The most popular materials are:

• Wood – Wood is tradition. Wood is variety. Wood is paintable and can be made to match just about any style of home from Colonial to Modern and everything in between. Wood also rots, needs a lot of maintenance and can fall victim to termites.
• Wrought iron – Like wood wrought iron is traditional, paintable and can be made to match just about any home style. Unlike wood it’s not going to rot, doesn’t need much by way of maintenance and termites are going to starve before they make a meal of your wooden railings.
• Glass – Glass railings in Vaughan give your deck a decidedly contemporary air, they’re made of durable tempered glass and because they’re clear there’s nothing to obstruct your view. On the downside there’s nothing to obstruct the neighbour’s view of your deck, they’ll need to be cleaned on a regular basis and they’re expensive to replace.
• Vinyl – Vinyl is a material that is finding increasing use around the house because of its versatility, affordability and the fact that it requires very little maintenance. On the other hand vinyl railings aren’t going to win any awards for their ability to withstand the weight of someone falling against them. Which means you should think twice about putting them on an elevated deck.

Additional Considerations

• Before you decide on something like glass or vinyl make sure it’s allowed by local building codes.
• For safety’s sake make sure your deck railings are at least 36 inches high.
• You may need additional permits if your deck is more than 24 inches off the ground.
• Think long term because you don’t want to be swapping out your railings every couple of years due to rot or termites or safety concerns.

If you’re in the market for deck railings make sure you talk to the professionals at Master Iron. We specialize in beautiful, timeless, safe and stylish wrought iron railings in Vaughan for decks, porches balconies, staircases and more.