Fortress FE26 Steel Railing

Fortress FE26 railing has two big draws: it combines the sturdy, reliable strength of a steel railing with one of the easiest deck railing installations you’ll find on the market. 

Steel is heavier and sturdier than the aluminum used for most metal deck railing systems on the market. When you lean against a steel railing, or squeeze it with your hands, you’ll instantly feel the strength and security of it. In general, metal railings provide the most dimensional stability of any railing option - that means they expand and contract much less with temperature changes than wood or composite railings, keeping your railings from warping or working fasteners loose.

Fortress FE26 delivers that strength and reliability to your deck railing. It’s also sold as a panelized system with pre-bracketed posts, which makes it one of the easiest railing systems to install, whether you’re an experienced railing builder or a budding DIYer.

Like other railing systems, metal deck railing includes posts, rails, and infill. Posts are the thick, vertical pieces that give your railing strength. Rails are the long, horizontal bars - most railing systems will have a top rail and a bottom rail. Posts and rails create a rectangle; infill sits inside that rectangle. Infill can be balusters - smaller, vertical bars parallel to your posts. But railing can also use glass balusters, like in the Fortress FE26 Pure View Glass Baluster railing system.

Steel is stronger and heavier than aluminum. That means your railing will feel sturdier, but will also be heavier to transport and install, though both types are among the stronger and easier-to-install options available. DecksDirect also carries Fortress’s AL13 aluminum railing systems.

If you’re installing steel railing, you’ll need a ferrous metal blade to cut your panels down to size, while aluminum cuts with a general carbide-toothed blade. Be sure to coat any cut ends with touch-up paint to keep the exposed steel from corroding.

For help deciding whether steel or aluminum railing is best for you, give our team a call at 1-888-824-5316. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons to find the best railing system for your outdoor living space.

Fascia mounting and top mounting are two different ways to install Fortress FE26 steel railing. A top-mounted railing attaches its posts to the horizontal deck surface itself. A fascia-mounted railing attaches to the vertical surface on the outside of the deck - typically called a fascia board. Fortress FE26 steel railing offers hardware to install your railing either way. To find out which method makes the most sense for you, give our team a call at 1-888-824-5316 to plan a custom deck project to fit your vision, timeline and budget.

Railing colors should complement your house and deck, but also the outdoor space surrounding your deck. For example, a Fortress FE26 railing in gloss black or black sand will look great with a trendy, gray deck surface. But if you want your railing to disappear into your deck view, there’s nothing like the power of bronze: bronze railing is an organic color that’s great at blending into your view for an unobtrusive deck railing.

For help picking out the color that best matches your outdoor space, give us a call at 1-888-824-5316.

As a pre-welded, panelized system, Fortress FE26 is one of the easiest railings on the market to install. The system arrives at your door with the top rail and bottom rail already pre-welded to the balusters. Brackets are already attached to your deck posts, saving you multiple steps in the install process. You’ll need to mount a post, then install the pre-welded panels into it before mounting the next post.

Our team loves to help plan deck projects. Give us a call at 1-888-824-5316 and we’ll walk you through the process to help you feel confident with a DIY installation.

Yes, you can cut steel railings yourself. You’ll need a ferrous metal blade. Make sure to coat any cut ends in touch-up paint - this will prevent the cut ends from rusting or corroding.

Fortress FE26 is built to withstand the outdoor elements. FE26 components are made from pre-galvanized steel with a high-quality powder-coating to help resist rust and corrosion. If the coating is scraped off, though, it’s important to seal over your steel railing with touch-up paint. If you scratch or scrape your railing, or if you cut any pieces, make sure to cover the scrape or the cut end in touch-up paint to keep your railings from rusting.

Steel deck railing is low-maintenance and easy to clean. Just follow these easy steps:

Step 1: In a bucket, mix warm water and a pH neutral detergent. (PH neutral detergents include mild dish soaps like Dawn, Palmolive, or Ajax).

Step 2: Use your cleaning mixture and a soft cloth, sponge or non-abrasive brush to wipe down the surfaces of your railing.

Step 3: Rinse the cleaning solution off the railing with clean, fresh water. Take care not to leave the cleaning solution on the railing for more than 30 minutes before rinsing.

Do not use strong solvents like thinners, or solutions containing hydrocarbons, esters or ketones. Avoid abrasive cleaners or cutting compounds.

We recommend cleaning your metal railing every three or four months to keep it sparkling clean.