Deck railing tends to be the last component considered during the planning process of building a new deck. However, it is a very important element of deck designs and should not be an afterthought. Instead, add a railing line to your project budget. Also consider shopping for railing styles while shopping for decking materials and get railing measurements when you get your deck measurements. Railing adds to the aesthetic factor, is critical for safety, is practical, is required for certain building codes, can increase the value of your deck, and so much more. Let’s explore 5 main reasons to add railing to your deck.
1. Aesthetics
There are so many ways to customize your deck railing to fit your aesthetic desires. You can choose the material, the color, the size and more. There’s cable railing, aluminum railing, wood railing, glass railing, composite railing, vinyl, or PVC railing. Warehouse ’71 even lets you order samples from our website to get a better look and feel of different railing options.
2. Safety
Safety might be the most obvious benefit of deck railing. It can give people something to hold onto while walking in dangerous weather conditions, as well as help people with disabilities or mobility issues keep their balance while walking on the deck. It also acts as a barrier to prevent people or pets falling off the deck. To go along with the safety aspect, many villages and municipalities require railings if your deck is higher than a specific distance off the ground. See point 4: Building Codes.
3. Practicality
Deck railing is very useful in so many ways. You can leash your dog on it, you can lean on it while you mingle or talk with people, and you can set things like phones or bags on it. You can even get a “drink rail” which uses a flat board as the top rail to hold drinks or plates at a convenient height.
4. Building Codes
According to the International Residential Code (IRC), all decks higher than 30 inches above grade must have a guardrail at least 36 inches tall from the deck’s surface to the top of the rail. If you install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30 inches, it still must meet code requirements. For safety purposes, building codes also regulate certain deck features and it is best to make sure you invest in high-quality railings that will meet building code standards. Rail height, baluster spacing, and guardrail strength are a few features that must be up to code.
5. Increases Property Value
If you plan on selling your property, deck railing can be a smart investment. It can make your deck more attractive to buyers, which in turn makes your property more attractive. Also, high-quality deck railing is long-lasting and ensures safety which eliminates risk of liability.
Learn More!
Ordering railing can be confusing. Warehouse ‘71’s Comprehensive Railing Purchase Guide will walk you through the railing basics and how to order the right railing components for your project.
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About Warehouse ’71
Warehouse ’71 is like your personal warehouse of building materials for DIYers and home remodelers! We offer premium decking, railing, siding and more for 20%-40% off big box store pricing. Our inventory consists of recently discontinued colors, product lines, and overstocked materials that carry full manufacturer warranties from premium brands like TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Deckorators®, Diamond Kote® and more. Products are available for same-day pickup or delivery. Warehouse ’71 only sells material from brands you can trust, and our experts can help you find a product without breaking your budget!
