Design & DIY 5 decorative deck railings sure to inspire you By Cottage Life Published: July 13, 2023 Updated: March 26, 2024 share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Copy Link Cancel View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photo by Daniel Ehrenworth Rustic This railing uses peeled, knotty logs. Because the shapes are irregular, they’re more challenging to build with, but they create an appealing, rustic look. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photo by Stacey Brandford Metal Sleek, modern lines and industrial metal juxtapose against warm wood railings and cedar shingles. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photo by Paul Orenstein Cable(ish) This variation on a cable railing uses metal rods instead of traditional cables. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photo by Martin Tessler Wire Wire mesh is an unusual choice, but it opens up the view without blocking the breeze as glass can. It’s lower maintenance than glass too. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photo by Derek Shapton Retro Angled railings were popular in the ’60s. Painted or stained wood needs regular maintenance, but it has a more playful look than unfinished materials. Again—no matter the deck and no matter what railing design you like—mind the code. Height and requirements vary, so check with building officials before making any design decisions. View in Fullscreen Related galleries 7 yardwork mistakes that you don’t know you’re making This tucked-away treehouse is a modern take on a childhood dream 3 essential spring window tune-ups 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 decorative deck railings sure to inspire you Under many province’s building codes, decks above a certain height need railings that meet specific standards. This can vary from place to place. But if your railing is purely decorative, you could have more leeway in terms of what you can build. (Contact your local building department to find out the rules and regs in your area.) Meanwhile, check out these five decorative railing designs that use a variety of materials. This article was originally published in the May 2021 issue of Cottage Life. Build it, fix it, get it done!Get Dockside DIY, for tips on how to maintain your cottage…and then someSign up here Related Story Cottage Coach: A smart deck renovation on a budget Related Story Cottage Q&A: When should I stain my new deck? Related Story Cottage Q&A: Cleaning black stains off cedar
Build it, fix it, get it done!Get Dockside DIY, for tips on how to maintain your cottage…and then someSign up here