06 Jul, 2022
In the realm of home renovations, innovations come on the market every day— including deck and front porch railings . Creating the perfect aesthetic for your porch and deck comes with several considerations that can significantly impact your pocketbook and the look of your home. In terms of coming up with porch railing ideas, it is easy to create a wish list of all your must-haves, but without understanding the best choices for your home, you can quickly run into trouble. Let’s do a deep dive into the basics of porch railing design to help you make the best possible decisions. Material The first consideration in porch railing design is what material is the best choice for you and the look of your house. There are several railing options available on the market, including: Aluminum Stainless steel Wrought iron Metal cable Plexiglass Wood Composite decking While you think about your options, consider ongoing maintenance as well as the overall visual effect. Colour The next consideration is colour. As you form a mental picture of how your home will look with the different material types, you will want to incorporate a colour that complements the house’s siding and eaves. It is easy to choose a white or black porch railing, as they generally go with most homes’ exteriors; however, you can also choose from the manufacturer’s pre-fabricated aluminum, metals, and composite decking colours. In addition, should you select treated wood, you can leave it natural or choose an exterior stain. Style Coordinating your house’s style with your front porch railing is essential to maintain an aesthetically pleasing flow between the siding, eaves, soffit, and shingles. After all, curb appeal includes the full visual effect from across the street. Modern choices could include the minimal sleek lines of aluminum and plexiglass or more robust wrought iron posts. Homey or casual railings could include pressure-treated posts and rails with a mixture of metal for contrast. In the end, railing styles come down to what you love most that also fits within your budget. Budget Budget always comes into play when considering what kind of porch railing materials to use. Yet understandably, some materials are more costly than others. With lower porch railing costs ranging from $25-80 per linear foot, you can undoubtedly find cost-effective options to enhance your home. However, if your porch railing ideas include aluminum, wrought iron, or plexiglass, costs can range from $150-800 per linear foot. While these choices could add considerable curb appeal and property value to your home, they may be out of the scope of your budget. Legal and Building Codes When applying for your building permit, ensure you have a complete set of plans, including all materials and railing designs. It is better to know what is permissible before starting construction than to make the costly mistake of not meeting building code requirements and having to tear everything down and start over. If you are unsure what railing styles or materials are acceptable, speak to your local contractor who should be well-versed in porch and railing building codes, such as the experts at Manalco Contracting Ltd. in Ajax, Ontario. Install Your Porch Railing Today! Once all your planning is in place, it is time to bring in the team at Manalco Contracting Ltd. for professional installation. Our team brings exceptional service and skill with all porch railing materials, with over 45 years of experience serving Ajax and the surrounding area. At Manalco, we take your porch railing ideas and transform them into the deck of your dreams! Get a free estimate by contacting us online or by calling 905-428-6291 today!