Metal Railing

Metal deck railing is exceptionally stable. Because it doesn’t absorb water like wood or composite, metal doesn’t expand or contract the same way other materials do. That expansion and contraction can cause warping, and can slowly work fasteners loose over time. Metal railing, on the other hand, stays dimensionally stable for years in all types of weather. There’s a great feeling of security in choosing a metal railing for your deck - metal railing feels sturdy and strong to the touch.

Metal deck railing systems have also become extremely easy to install. Many come with pre-welded panels that anyone can easily attach to their deck in a single afternoon. Metal is also a strong stylistic choice with multiple color options and sleek, finished looks.

Metal deck railing is made up of (1) rails, (2) posts, and (3) infill, as shown below:

Rails are the long, horizontal bars - most railing systems will have a top rail and a bottom rail. Posts are the thick, vertical pieces that give your railing strength. Posts and rails create a square or rectangle; infill sits inside that square or rectangle. Infill can be balusters - smaller, vertical bars parallel to your posts. But metal railing can also use horizontal balusters, mesh panels, glass balusters, glass panels, or metal cables as infill to create a wide variety of different looks.

We offer a range of aluminum and steel railing systems. Both are strong, durable metals, but each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. 

Aluminum is lighter-weight, for easier transport and installation. Powder-coated aluminum is also more resistant to corrosion, and in cold weather, aluminum actually gets stronger. Steel is heavier, but also sturdier - you’ll feel how solid it is when you lean against or touch a steel railing.. Steel is a rugged, strong option, with an enduring, classic look.

Finding the best deck railing material will depend on your needs and climate. Give us a call at 1-888-824-5316 and our team can learn more about your project to help recommend the best options for you.

Yes! As long as you have the right equipment, it’s easy to cut down rails or railing panels to fit your space. You can cut aluminum railings with a carbide-toothed saw blade. To cut steel, use a ferrous blade. Always use touch-up paint to coat the cut ends - this will help prevent corrosion.

DecksDirect makes it easy to buy and plan your metal deck railing project. Here’s how:

• Real People, Real Service: We staff a team of experienced deck project planners who have personally worked with all of the systems we sell. Get expert advice as you shop, plan your project, and even as you install.
• Completely Fast: We ship 99.5% of our orders the same day they’re placed, and we reach most of the United States in three days or less. Don’t delay your project - we’ll make sure you stay on your timeline!
• Largest In-Stock Selection: We carry the most in-stock railing options you’ll find anywhere. Period. Get the most options to assemble your dream deck without being limited to a few basic in-stock options.

You can always order online, or you can call us during regular business hours at 1-888-824-5316 and talk to a trained deck project planner. We look forward to hearing from you!

Metal deck railings are corrosion-resistant - and you can keep rust away by cleaning your rails a few times a year. If you live in a wet climate or are installing railing near a pool, lake, or ocean, powder-coated aluminum will be the most corrosion-resistant option.

Like all deck railing materials, metal can absorb heat in direct sunlight and get hot to the touch. The biggest factor determining how hot your railings will get is color: dark-colored railings absorb more heat than light-colored ones. For that reason, if your railing is in direct sunlight or in an especially hot climate, we’d recommend looking into our metal railings with white or light-colored options. That includes Westbury Tuscany, Westbury Riviera, AFCO Pro, Century Aluminum, Deckorators ALX, and Trex Signature Rod Rail.

If you're planning a DIY deck railing installation, we'd highly recommend either Fortress FE26 or Century Aluminum railing. Here are two big reasons why:

Pre-welded panels: both of those systems are panelized - that means you buy one solid railing panel that already has the top rail, bottom rail, and balusters welded together. That saves a lot of time over a larger railing project compared to other railing systems where you have to fit each baluster into the top and bottom rails individually.

Pre-bracketed posts: another way these systems save time is by selling posts with pre-attached brackets. That saves significant time in measuring and attaching brackets, and leaves you to just attach the railing panel to the posts for each section.

If you're looking to save money on your deck railing, Century Aluminum Railing provides a great low-cost option. It's also one of the easier systems to install, which can save you even more money by cutting down your installation hours.

When picking out a railing color for your deck, you should consider the colors of your house and decking, but also what you want your railing to do for your deck view.

You can try to match colors already present in your deck area: for example, white railing is a great visual accent to your deck if your house has white siding or a lot of white trim. But you can also look for different accenting colors: a trendy gray deck area will go great with sleek black railings.

If you have a view of nature, bronze railings have an amazing feature: the organic bronze color tone virtually disappears into the background, opening up your deck view.

These are just a few examples of how different railing colors can add different features to your deck. To pick a railing perfectly tailored to your space and priorities, give our team a call at 1-888-824-5316 to walk through all the options.

Most metal deck railing has become surprisingly easy to install, even for budding DIYers or deck project rookies. Many metal rail systems come in pre-welded panels that make installation a breeze. One of our favorites is the Fortress FE26 steel railing system, which also features pre-bracketed posts to save you the most time at installation.

Metal deck railing systems with pre-welded panels and pre-bracketed posts will be the easiest to install: that includes the Fortress FE26 and Century Aluminum railing lines.

You can always give our team a call at 1-888-824-5316 for free recommendations on the best railing options that you’ll be able to install based on your experience level with home and deck projects. We love to help connect customers with the perfect project for them.

Metal railings are extremely low-maintenance, and keeping them clean is a breeze.

How to clean:

• 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.

It’s that easy. You only need to clean your railings a few times a year, though we’d recommend more frequent cleaning if your railing is exposed to saltwater or pollen.