Material Choices for your Porch Railings

Porch railings are one of the parts of your home that will make a first impression on any visitors to your home. The railings of the porch are one of the structures that can add a distinctive look to a home and so they make a lasting impression on your guests. They not only improve the look of your home but they also provide shade for those moments when you need to cool off and relax.

Porch designs come in a variety of interesting architectural styles, from the traditional to the modern themes. With a little knowledge and the right materials, you can beautify your front and back porches with the right design of porch for your home. This article will give you tips about choices for materials for your porch railings. 

The shape and appearance of the porch railings are important and as much as possible, we should opt for materials that require as little maintenance as possible. The choice of materials used for the porch railings is one that has to be made carefully.

Flowing lines are a common feature in modern porch railings and the choice of materials utilised for it’s construction have to be suitable for such designs. There are many different materials that can be used on porch railings. Here are just a few of the most commonly used materials in the construction of porches.

Stainless steel railings

Stainless steel is a suitable choice for the fact that it keeps lustre for a long time, even in unfavourable conditions. The maintenance that stainless steel requires is minimal, since it requires no painting or polishing whatsoever.

Another commonly-used variant of this material is PVC-coated steel. This material may come in several different colours. The maintenance of PVC -coated steel is also minimal.

PVC Railings

PVC is also a good material for building railings. Porch railings of PVC or vinyl is an excellent choice for a number of reasons. First, the material does not splinter so there is are no sharp points when it is held. 

It does not conduct heat like other materials, so there very is little chance of you getting any serious burns if you happen to touch it on a hot day. The PVC is resistant to ultraviolet light, therefore, it is practically impossible for this material to fade. It is also waterproof and essentially maintenance free.

Aluminium railings

Aluminium is a good choice of material for porch railings and they are sure to last long. Though they are cheaper than stainless steel, it is not as strong as steel and tend to become dull with time. The aluminium railings are kind of similar to wrought iron railings both in their appearance, but they have some distinct advantages over those types. Aluminum railings will not rust and do not require maintenance.

Wooden railings

Another popular material is wood. More and more people are opting for wooden railings over iron because wood does not rust and is easy to remove or replace. Wood is easy to work with, not too heavy and can be painted in any color of your choice.

You can use various types of wood to create different looks. Cedar wood is largely resistant to decay and insects. Even when exposed to moisture, it usually holds up better than most of the other wood types. They offer the beauty of wood without the resultant maintenance problems. Additionally, this type of material does not flake easily. It is also relatively inexpensive.

Iron railings

Iron is suitable for construction of porch railings because of its durability. One can choose to various designs or decorations added to these iron rails. The obvious demerit of this material is that is susceptible to the elements, hence, rusting is a concern.

Concrete Railings

Precast concrete is a superior solution when it comes to looking for a maintenance free product and a design that can last for many years without deterioration. Precast concrete comes in two options, one is smooth (simulation of limestone) and coral (simulated look of travertine). Both options are very popular and provide new or existing homes with an old world look that many home owners deem very attractive.

When it comes to porch railings or balustrade for your porch, all of these materials have their strengths but your choice of material should be guided more by functionality than price. At the end of the day, you alone can decide what material is best for your porch railings but be sure to arm yourself with sufficient information about the merits of each one of them before making a final decision.