Choosing your perfect deck railing can be a challenge. We often see people having a hard time deciding on what type of deck railing to use for their projects … which brand, what style, what is the best option? Often these decisions are very price driven and other times it can simply be difficult to decide on a style. I want to take a moment to highlight some of the key factors to consider when choosing what type of railing system you are going to employ, and who is going to install it for you.
Your Railing is a lifeline
One of the most important elements to understand is that your railing’s primary function is to keep you and your family safe. Safety is paramount in the decision you make. I remember several years ago; we were working on a project in north Edmonton. The railing installed on this project was a purely component system, meaning every part was screwed or snapped together. This type of product is inappropriate on a 4-story building, and this installation was very poorly done. When we were attempting to access the balcony for our inspection, we tried to climb over the railing. The second we touched the railing, 3/4s of the pickets fell out. There was a 2-year-old boy living in the unit with his mother. They were lucky that this rail didn’t fail while the child was leaning on it. The balcony was 4 stories off the ground.
Your railing is a lifeline, a protective barrier that keeps everyone safe. Not every system is created equal and not every system has the same safety standards. In recent years we have seen a variety of products that look good on the surface but ultimately do not preform effectively. Like the railing that failed on the building we were working on, these railings lack the standard of safety and the testing to be installed on elevated locations such as walk out decks and apartment buildings. These products are typically manufactured over seas and very little – if any – testing is performed to ensure these products are up to standard. When selecting your railing system, look for something with effective engineering and testing. The offshore products are typically cheaper to buy but we advise that you seek out a domestically manufactured railing system whenever possible. Domestic railing products are typically built to a higher standard and will provide you with the safely and security you are looking for. Some quality product options made in Canada are DuraRail, Deksmart Railings and ProGuard Railings.
Use a qualified professional
When selecting the installation company for your perfect deck railing install, it is important to due your due diligence to ensure you have the very best people for the job. You want to work with a company that has experience installing the railing system you select. It is important that the company have a good track record, is properly credentialed and insured, and has a physical location that you can visit so that you have somewhere to go if there is a problem. I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard of contractors taking money for a job that they did poorly or never completed. These tailgate cowboys are never to been seen again once paid and you as a homeowner will have to pay someone to finish the job. If a company has a physical location, you always have somewhere to go and you don’t have to rely on someone picking up the phone to solve the problem.
The perfect railing for the job
When selecting your railing type, there are a variety of factors to consider. The first dilemma that a lot of people have when making railing selections is the glass vs picket debate. Both options of aluminum railing look great and are safe options for your family. The real questions are … what are you trying to accomplish and what kind of look are you going for? If you are looking over a mountain vista from your deck or watching the sun set over the pacific, the glass option may be the way to go. If your view is the back yard of your neighbor’s house, then you may opt for a picket railing system. Another consideration is the height of your railing. There are several building code requirements that need to be taken into consideration when determining railing height. First off, if your deck is over 6 feet from the ground, the height option is not a factor. Your railing will be a minimum of 42” tall. This is a building code requirement. If your deck is closer to the ground, then you have some options. Your can either go with the standard 42” railing system or you can select a lower height railing at 36”. The 36” high railing often looks a lot better on entry ways and lower decks. It creates more of an open feel for the space.
Topless Glass Railing systems and wind wall installed in downtown Edmonton
Just to make things more complicated, there are a few other deck railing options that may suite your project. In recent years code changes have allowed for horizontal picket railings. These look cool, but if you have little ones keep in mind that these are easily climbable. Additionally, there are topless glass railing systems, Cable railing systems, aluminum and glass wind walls/ privacy walls, stand off railings, post free railing systems and more. In the custom railing world, the sky is the limit.
Our company is dedicated to helping homeowner’s, builders and designers find the right solution for their projects. Reach out and let us help you plan and build the railing of your dreams.
Dean Spahic | President : CBS Alberta
