Choosing a Tasteful Railing for Your Deck

A railing is to a deck as a cherry is to a sundae; it adds that nice finishing flourish that ties everything together nicely. But how do you know what type of railing is right for you and your Maryland deck?

Like many of life’s greatest questions, there is no “right” answer. Instead, the answer depends on your individual needs and wants. As a Maryland deck railing specialist, we wanted to take some time today to talk about what you should consider when choosing a railing for your deck.

1. 1. What’s Your Budget?

When you get right down to it, the most important aspect of any project is the budget. You may have the biggest and grandest plans ever for your deck, but if it’s not in the budget, it’s likely not going to happen as you wish. When making your budget, you should keep in mind the long-term and short-term costs. You need to know not only the upfront price of the materials but also how long they should last and what kind of maintenance they’ll need. Once you have a budget that encompasses all costs, you can start to get a better picture of what kind of deck railing you can afford.

1. 2. What Style and Color Do You Want?

In the past, your only choices would have been dark or light wood, but nowadays you have a surplus of design options to choose from. What kind of railing do you want? Are you looking for something that provides privacy from the neighbors? Do you want something that fits with current trends? There are a variety of different styles available, with different heights and bar thicknesses. You’ll be sure to find something that piques your interest.

When it comes to color, you’re not limited by anything but your imagination. Whether you want a traditional wood look or a bright, cherry red modern look, there’s something out there for everyone. If you’d like to explore more design options you should contact a Maryland deck railing specialist, as they will typically have brochures or pamphlets that display all of your various options.

1. 3. Check With Your Building Codes

There’s nothing worse than building the deck of your dreams, only to have the city order you tear it down because it didn’t completely match with the building codes. Everything from the height of the railing to the materials used could impact your railing’s compliance. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “measure twice, cut once” you understand what we mean when we say that double-checking your building codes before you build is essential.

1. 4. Work With a Professional Maryland Deck Building Company

When you’ve been in the business as long as we have, you pick up a couple of things along the way. Here at North American Deck and Patio we’re dedicated to providing Maryland with the best deck construction services possible. If you’re having issues choosing a deck railing, don’t pull your hair out – contact us today, and let our team of trained Maryland deck contractors give you a hand.

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross