Railing News

Optimizing Your Deck for Year-Round Use

Deck Railings, Glass Railings | September 23, 2021

While most outdoor decks are popular destinations during spring and summer, they are often not as commonly used during fall and winter. Colder weather, rain, and snow can make your deck uncomfortable, significantly reducing the amount of time you can spend on it throughout the year. As leading providers of aluminum railing systems, glass wind walls, and other deck railing solutions, the team at Vista Railing Systems understands how the right products can maximize comfort and enjoyment. That is why we have provided some tips for optimizing your deck for year-round use to maximize the amount of time you and your family can spend on it.

Learn about some of the benefits of glass railing systems and how they are suitable for all types of weather.

3 Ways to Make Your Deck Comfortable All Year

To keep your outdoor deck comfortable during the cold winter months, consider the following tips:

1. Use the Right Railing Products

The right railing systems can maximize comfort without compromising visibility or safety. For example, a glass wind wall or frameless glass railing system can block strong winds without obstructing your view. This can help to keep warm air contained within your deck while minimizing the amount of cold wind that gets in. Alternatively, if you live in an area that is warm all year, consider using an aluminum picket railing or cable railing system to allow for maximum ventilation.

2. Create Warmth

During winter, it is a good idea to add a source of heat such as an outdoor heater or fire pit. Umbrellas or other forms of cover can also be installed to keep rain, snow, and hail off of your deck, maximizing comfort regardless of the weather. The right combination of heaters, railing systems, and covers can make your deck a contained space that is unaffected by seasonal weather.

3. Maximize Light and Visibility

During winter, night falls quickly and greatly reduces the amount of daylight you have to work with. This makes lighting systems a crucial component of your deck. String lights, ambient lighting, and other modern lighting systems are a great choice for optimizing visibility at night without being overly bright or warm. The right railing systems can also maximize the amount of natural light that gets through to your deck during the day, so it is important to consider which option is best for your needs.

To learn more about how to optimize your deck for year-round use or to learn about our deck railing products, get in touch with the team at Vista Railing Systems. We can be reached by call or text at 1-800-667-8247 and will work with you to determine the perfect solution for your needs.


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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