Railing News

Pros and Cons of Different Deck Railing Styles

Deck Railing Styles | December 6, 2023
pros and cons of different deck railing styles

When it comes to deck design, the railing plays a crucial role in both safety and aesthetics. Choosing the right railing style for your deck involves considering various factors, including the overall design of your home, maintenance requirements, and budget. As a leading provider of quality deck railing products, Vista Railing Systems is committed to helping customers make informed decisions about their railing styles. That is why we have compiled some pros and cons of different deck railing styles.

Learn about some of the most popular deck railing styles.

Deck Railing Style Pros and Cons

1. Aluminum Railings

Aluminum railings offer durability, low maintenance, and versatile design options for outdoor spaces. Their easy installation makes them the perfect choice for homeowners who love doing DIY projects. While the balusters can slightly limit views, the material’s temperature conductivity should be considered in regions with intense sun exposure and their inability to rust makes them a great option for areas that experience a lot of rain and snow. Overall, aluminum railings provide a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for those seeking a resilient and adaptable home railing option.

2. Metal Railings

Metal railings, often crafted from steel, offer a modern and durable option. Their strength and durability make them resistant to the elements, with minimal maintenance requirements compared to wood. Despite their initial higher cost, the long-term durability of metal railings may offset the upfront investment; however, metal railings can become temperature-sensitive, potentially hot in sunlight or cold during winter. Metal railings are also highly susceptible to rust, which means that they require significantly more upkeep when compared to aluminum railings.

3. Glass Railings

Glass railings have gained popularity for their ability to provide unobstructed views, making them an excellent choice for decks in scenic locations. The contemporary aesthetics of glass railings add a touch of sophistication to outdoor spaces. With minimal maintenance requirements and resistance to weather-related issues, glass railings offer both functionality and style; however, they require regular cleaning to maintain transparency, and their cost tends to be higher compared to traditional aluminum railing systems.

4. Cable Railings

Cable railings stand out for their sleek and minimalistic design, providing unobstructed views and creating an airy feel, making them ideal for decks with scenic landscapes. Their contemporary and minimalist appeal, low-maintenance features, and resistance to rust and weathering contribute to their popularity; however, their installation can be complex, requiring precision and often professional assistance, leading to potentially higher costs. Homeowners should also consider adherence to local building codes, which may impact cable spacing for safety and influence design choices.

Contact our team to discover more about the various deck railing systems. If you have any inquiries or worries, feel free to contact us. Our approachable representatives can be reached at 1-800-667-8247 through a call or text, and they will be delighted to help you.


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We are Washago Timber Mart and we've been a stocking dealer for nearly 15 years. Vista Railings are the absolute #1 best choice when it comes to Aluminum & Glass Railing Systems.

Chris Denne
Washago Timber Mart

James is wonderful! He continuously supports us and our Customers by ensuring that we receive our stock promptly and efficiently. He helps in rectifying issues that arise and at times he is known to personally drop off product either to our store or job sites to make sure we over deliver to our Customers! We appreciate you James and your team for all of your support!!

Rona Filsinger

The BEST railing in Canada… Customer Service is amazing. Thanks Team Vista the look of Vista railing is a beautiful sleek design it compliments any home and definitely increases the value of your home.

Brad Vermolen
Castle Niagara Building Centre

Top notch, sturdy and easy to install railing. Always a great experience dealing with James, Dwayne and Jim. From product knowledge, to solving any issues, they are always eager to help and on stand-by… Great working with them.

Mr Duncan

Vista has been a dream to work with, the program makes life so much easier and efficient to do quotes. Dwayne, Jim and the rest of the team I have dealt with are always willing to answer questions and go the extra mile to help fix any issues or getting pieces and parts to us promptly.

Matt Walker

We love working with the Vista Team! HF Smith Lumber in Cookstown, Ontario has been a proud stocking dealer since day one, carrying their four top colours. Vista’s quoting program is super easy to use and saves us a ton of time. The sales team is fantastic – always friendly, quick to help, and great to work with! We also love seeing the new products they continue to add. It’s exciting to expand our offerings and keep things fresh for our customers! Keep up the great work

Kim Ytsma
HF Smith Lumber

I purchase many different types of items in the building industry and have been at all levels from putting away lumber, customer service management and purchasing at wholesale level. The Vista railing company by far has been the best company to deal with in my entire 41 years in the industry. It’s just unbelievable the support and quality they produce from all levels — from manufacturing, pulling the product, design team and of course the sales support. Railing is a very difficult item for some yards to sell due to the complexity, but Vista makes it real easy with the least complicated quoting system, the Vista planner.
Thank you Team Vista for all you do for me and the industry!!

Randy Muentener