Classic Deck Railing & Trex Decking Create A Traditional, Character-Rich Style
Do you want that new-home feeling without taking on a new mortgage at a higher interest rate?
If so, you're not alone. A massive number of American homeowners have an older home and a mortgage that's locked into an incredibly low interest rate from buying or refinancing before the recent bout of inflation.
Some economists are calling this phenomenon the "Golden Handcuffs." But you don't have to feel handcuffed to a dated style. Revamping your deck can make your older home feel like new, with a timeless style that doesn't clash with traditional home architecture.
Here's how to get the look:
The Look: That 'New Deck' Feeling In A Traditional Home
Follow each tag to the numbered headings below to learn more about each piece of this look.
- Substantial, Traditional Deck Railing
- A Classic Deck Board Color
- Bonus: Accent Breaker Board
- Bonus: Traditional Post Cap Lighting
- Bonus: Accent Deck Furniture
- How To Get A Curved Deck Railing
How To Get This Look
Older, more traditional homes can sometimes be hard to update, because sleeker, more modern elements clash with the home's classic architecture. The key to a cohesive style upgrade is bridging the gap between the excitement of the new and the lasting appeal of the tried-and-true.
When it comes to decks, no one does this better than Trex. You might know Trex as the brand that essentially invented and popularized wood-alternative decking made from a composite mixture of natural wood and tough synthetic plastic. But it doesn't stop at deck boards. Trex helps homeowners across the country reimagine their decks through a combination of modern materials and classic style.
Here's how you can combine Trex products for a deck that feels new, without clashing with a traditional home:
Substantial, Traditional Deck Railing: Trex Transcend
Trex Transcend Composite Railing perfectly captures the look of classic wood deck railing, but minus all the not-so-nostalgic maintenance that comes with using traditional wood elements outdoors.
Instead of wooden rails that warp, crack and splinter, Trex Transcend captures the same thick, sturdy design with sleek composite top and bottom rails. Instead of painting wood (and then repainting it every few years as the elements flake away the finish), you can lock in the color of your choice with Trex's 6 lasting color options.
Trex Transcend actually covers over traditional wood posts with composite post sleeves. That gives the strength and stability of wood, plus the classic substantial look, but with a beautiful, polished finish that's easier to clean and maintain.
You can stick with a fully traditional look using square composite balusters. But you can make your deck space feel more updated with just a dash of the modern by choosing round, metal balusters with your rail kit.
The bonus with round balusters? They're a little easier to see around compared to square balusters, which gives you a slightly more open deck view to the beauty beyond!
A Classic Deck Board Color: Trex Transcend Tiki Torch
The great thing about Trex decking is that the Trex color scheme is classic and instantly recognizable. This deck is using the warm, tropical tones of the Tiki Torch color, which brightens up the space without abandoning the traditional wood look.
Tiki Torch is in the Transcend collection, which is Trex's top-quality decking line. Transcend boards are a beautiful alternative to wood, with the same ridged graining and earthy colors as exotic hardwoods, but with a tough capping that doesn't weather or fade in the elements.
If the warm, tropical Tiki Torch finish isn't your style, you can find another Trex shade that's a perfect match for a really traditional home. Here are four great options from among Trex's various decking collections, spanning from cool gray to warm red:
Shop Transcend DeckingBonus: Accent Breaker Board (Trex Transcend Spiced Rum)
This deck makes one more smart design choice with its deck boards to spice up its appeal without abandoning traditional styling. You may not have even noticed it above, but this deck uses a secondary color of deck board as an accent in what's known as a breaker board. You can see it running up and down the middle of the picture below:
The use of a darker deck board with less variegation (the fancy name for the streaks of different colors that appear across a board) creates a nice light-to-dark contrast that defines the boundaries of the deck.
You can see the two shades used (Trex Spiced Rum and Trex Tiki Torch) side by side below:
Using two different colors of deck board in a contrasting combination is a great way to give your deck a fresh, new feeling that doesn't clash with a more traditional home stylistically.
To learn more about our favorite deck board color combinations, you can check out our guide and browse color combos below!
Guide: Best Deck Board Color CombosBonus: Traditional Post Cap Lighting
As a nice bonus, this deck works in a simple low voltage lighting system to add flash and sparkle to the space - not to mention extending the hours the deck can be used.
Trex post cap lights are a perfect match for the Trex Transcend railing system: large, substantial, classic and sophisticated. They fit on top of Trex post sleeves and provide a beautiful accent at the corners and edges of your deck.
You can go as big or as small as you want when it comes to lighting. The deck we've been looking at keeps it pretty simple with a set of matching lighted post caps to give the space a soft glow.
But you can also expand your lighting to include rail-mounted lights or deck lights recessed into your stair risers, deck boards, or under deck ceiling like the deck below - it's a great way to make your deck into a spectacle the whole neighborhood will admire, all while totally matching the still-traditional architecture of your home.
Bonus: Accent Deck Furniture
A deck can be as much a part of your living space as a living room - and adding thoughtful deck furniture allows you to use it that way.
This deck is beautifully set up to serve as an outdoor dining room, with a large table and comfortable chairs. The soft, warm lighting even allows for a twist on dining by candlelight!
At the other end of the deck is a dedicated sitting space. Here the deck leans fully into the traditional styling, with a classic Adirondack chair and some gorgeous planters that tie in the bright green lawn with the greenery on the deck.
Furniture is a great first step if you're looking for ways to improve the look and feel of your home's deck. You can always add some beautiful, comfortable deck chairs and functional tables or planters, and if it helps you start enjoying your outdoor living space more often, then you can feel good about taking on a larger project like replacing deck railing or expanding your deck.
Shop FurnitureHow Do I Get A Curved Deck Railing?
One side question you may have had after seeing the deck photos above: how do I get a curved deck railing like that?
The beauty of composite material is that it can be heated and curved to add some beautiful rounded details to your space. That means both Trex Transcend railing and deck boards can be curved to fit your space.