Deck Railing Style Guide

Finding The Right Deck Railing For Your Home's Architecture

Over the past ten years, deck railing design options have exploded. Decks used to be limited to a small, rectangular area off of your home that was constrained in space and crafted completely from the common lumber of your region - in other words, every deck in the neighborhood was made from roughly the same cookie-cutter template.

Now, though, decks are a complete outdoor living area - like any other room of your house, minus the walls. Just as you decorate each room of your house in a style that's distinct, yet part of your overall home's aesthetic, you can now tailor your deck's style to fit perfectly with the rest of your home.

Whether your home has the carefree feel of a beach bungalow or the refined country styling of a modern farmhouse oasis, you can craft your deck to extend those intangible qualities through your outdoor space. One of the best ways to do it is to pick a deck railing that matches your home's architectural style.

At DecksDirect, we help thousands of homeowners each year to revitalize their decks - so we know the best railing options, and the home styles they work best in.

Whether you’re starting from scratch with new construction or breathing new life into an older outdoor space, here’s a railing style guide that will help you select the perfect railing system for your home and gain a complete space you’ll wish you added years ago.

If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to give one of our experienced deck project planners a call at 1-888-824-5316 or send us an email at hello@decksdirect.com. With the largest selection of premium deck products in the country, we know the products, brands, and styles that can take your deck to the next level.

DecksDirect: we're here to help you build a better deck.

Understanding Different Railing Materials & Types

Metal Deck Railing

Lightweight, durable, and versatile, powder-coated metal railing is rust and corrosion-resistant for a long lifespan and easy maintenance. There are a ton of steel and aluminum railing lines with different looks, designs, colors, and sizes to match a range of house styles.

Cable Deck Railing

Cable railing refers to any railing with stainless steel cables running between vertical posts and horizontal rails. Cable railing can use wood, metal, or composite for the posts and rails to hit a variety of stylistic looks, though cable is generally a very modern, low-profile aesthetic. Cable railing was developed in coastal regions to emphasize a deck with a view, and remains one of the best options for opening up your deck view.

Composite Deck Railing

Traditional deck railing looks with modern low-maintenance appeal: Composite railing is a contemporary solution for homeowners who love the classic look of wood railing but don't want the regular maintenance and upkeep demands. Composite railing is made from a mix of natural wood fibers and recycled plastics, capped with a tough PVC shell.

Glass Deck Railing

When it comes to deck railing, glass is the luxury show-stopper option. Glass railings are classy, modern, and give your deck an extravagant feel. They create some of the best deck views possible, and can use metal or composite posts and rails. Glass is also strong and versatile, with the option to use full glass panels or sleek glass balusters.

Vinyl Deck Railing

Vinyl railing delivers a very specific look in a low-maintenance package. Crisp vinyl systems look amazing in northeast Cape Cod styles or with the grand architecture of Colonial homes in the south. Vinyl railing typically has a metal framework inside for reliable strength, with sleek vinyl surfaces that are easy to keep clean.

Wood Deck Railing

There's something tried and true about the traditional styling of wood deck railings. Pairing the elegance of wood posts and rails with sleek metal balusters creates a timeless look and cuts down on the maintenance typically associated with wood railings. Wood railing kits can deliver a variety of styles to fit a range of house looks.

Matching Your Home's Architectural Style with Your Deck Railing

The Craftsman Home

Easily one of the most popular designs in America, the Craftsman style of home was created in response to the mass-produced goods and buildings that emerged after the Industrial Revolution. They began appearing in the last years of the 19th century and remained popular well into the 1930s and beyond.

The Craftsman architectural movement wanted to emphasize hand-crafted goods and ideas, returning to the values of human labor and imagination. Focusing on simplicity in its form, the use of local materials, and reliable construction, the Craftsman style aimed to return to uniquely crafted and decorated surfaces that express creativity.

Common Features of Craftsman Homes

• → Natural materials such as brick, wood, and mixed stone
• → Low, pitched roofs with exposed beams or rafters
• → Wide front porches
• → Overhanging window eaves

What Deck Railing Works for this Home

Metal Railing

Craftsman homes tend to focus on simplicity, which makes sleek metal railing an ideal style choice. Metal railings come in black, bronze, or white options that mesh very well with the various natural materials like stone, wood, and brick that characterize Craftsman homes. Metal railing systems can also be installed between existing stone columns, a key detail of Craftsman homes, for a clean look between eye-catching areas.

Our Recommendation:

Key-Link American Aluminum Railing would look ideal in a Craftsman home.

It's posts and balusters are stylish and uncomplicated, and the quality craftsmanship of the intricately-detailed top rail ties in perfectly with the hand-crafted qualities of a Craftsman home.

Composite Railing

Another great railing selection for a Craftsman style home would be a durable composite system. Composite railing systems generally feature wide, substantial post sleeves, which would be a nice stylistic tie to the exposed beams and rafters of Craftsman style homes. Composite railing systems also allow a lot of freedom to choose color combinations that complement your home's exterior.

Our Recommendation:

Trex Transcend Composite Railing is a great fit with Craftsman architecture.

When it comes to deck railing, Trex Transcend is the king of colors - posts and rails come in a huge range of colors to tie to the natural elements around your home and deck.