Maintenance-Free Deck Railings

Updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Keep your deck looking new for years without any maintenance

Deck rails decking railsFamily Handyman

Deck railings are available in a range of long-lasting materials, from wood/plastic composites to metal and glass. This article explains what's available and how these materials compare to wood.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORRECTDECK

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Time
Multiple Days
Complexity
Intermediate
Cost
Varies

Deck Railing overview

One of my saddest experiences as a contractor occurred when I revisited a gorgeous wood deck I had built 10 years before. It was a wreck. The homeowner had tried to keep up with the maintenance, but he’d found that it was too much work. He had discovered, like so many other wooden deck owners, that even when a wood deck railing doesn’t rot, wood tends to crack, splinter and warp.

Fortunately, a whole range of new deck and railing materials have been developed in recent years that last longer than wood and need little maintenance. Although still more expensive than standard treated wood, composite woods—and other maintenance-free materials like vinyl and aluminum—are getting popular fast.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the variety of materials now available for low-maintenance deck railings and tell you their strengths and weaknesses. While many are by the same manufacturers that make decking, they’re a separate product. You can use them on any type of deck, including decks made of wood.

Figure A: Low-Maintenance Railing Materials

Aluminum
Hollow posts; hollow railing and balusters; usually surface bolted to deck; special assembly system.

Vinyl and plastics
Hollow posts; railing and balusters hollow and usually steel reinforced; 4×4 wood posts sometimes required; special assembly system.

PVC-coated composites
Hollow posts; railings and balusters hollow; 4×4 wood posts required; special assembly system.

Hollow composites
Hollow posts; railings and balusters either solid or hollow; 4×4 wood posts often required; special assembly system.

Solid composites
Solid posts; railings and balusters either solid or hollow; often installed like solid wood.

Composites

Composite railing

Composite railings and posts resemble wood and are worked with standard woodworking tools, but have a solid, appealing appearance all their own.

The post sections shown in Figure A illustrate the range of materials now used for railings. The composites are the most popular, as is composite decking. They’re made from a blend of wood fibers and either virgin or recycled plastic, mixed into a paste and then extruded into the various railing shapes. The fibers provide strength and stability while the plastic protects the fibers from moisture, rot and insects.

Most lumberyards and home centers now stock at least one or two brands and will special-order others. Each brand has a slightly different design, selection of colors and sometimes texture. Some are hollow and some are solid. Each system comes with its own assembly directions, which must be followed to ensure strength and safety.

Solid types are more like a solid wood deck railing; you bolt the posts to the deck framing just as with wood 4x4s. Since the color is consistent throughout the material, you can shape or bevel edges with a router and leave post ends exposed. And since the material is solid, it’s more resistant to dings and nicks. On the downside, solid composites are heavier, and if you don’t support them properly, they’ll sag. And you won’t find them with PVC coatings.

Hollow composites are lighter and slightly stiffer. Decking rails and balusters are usually connected with special brackets, which are hidden (Figure B). They allow you to make strong connections easier and faster.

You can also slide the hollow posts in most systems right over standard 4×4 wood deck posts. In fact, some hollow systems require 4×4 wood posts for strength. On the downside, hollow posts tend to be larger than solid types. They often require special trim pieces to cover joints and edges. Curves aren’t an option as they are with solid railings.

Most composites are paintable, but eventually the paint will age and you’ll have to repaint, increasing the maintenance factor.

Tips for Installing Composite Railings

If you’ve worked with wood, you won’t have any trouble working with composites. Each system is engineered to meet the requirements of the building code, so it’s important not to deviate from those instructions. Composites (as well as PVC and plastics) also need extra space for expansion in hot weather. The instructions will specify how much, or the fastening system will account for this factor. Composites are not meant for ground contact.

Keep in mind that composites can’t be used for structural purposes. And although they’re heavier and denser than wood, they’re neither as strong nor as stiff. They can break if dropped or bent too far. If you skimp on supports, composites will sag from their own weight. On the plus side, this means that some types will bend easily or can be heated and forced into attractive permanent curves.

And finally, be aware that some systems have limitations and not all have been tested and approved to meet the building code. Always check this detail with the manufacturer and with your local building officials.

The plastic option

Several companies make solid-plastic decking rails and handrail systems that look like composites. You install them similar to hollow composites. They’re slightly more expensive, but the manufacturers claim that solid plastic is more durable and long lasting.

Vinyl railings

Vinyl posts, railings and balusters

Vinyl railings retain a crisp white appearance and are easy to clean. They’re hollow and typically require more parts for assembly.

If you want a white railing, vinyl railings can be a good choice. You’ll find a wide price range. The more expensive varieties are long lasting and tough and have well-engineered metal inserts for stiffness and strength. Vinyl doesn’t stain or collect mold as easily as composites in most situations, and its smooth surface is easy to clean.

On the downside, all the parts are hollow, so vinyl railings usually require more pieces for strength. You slip the vinyl posts over either a sturdy metal base or a wood 4×4 bolted to the deck frame.

Figure B: Typical Railing Assembly

Most no-maintenance railings are engineered as a complete system, including the parts we show here. Fastening techniques vary.

Aluminum railings

All-aluminum railing systems are made by many companies, usually for apartment and commercial buildings. They’re slimmer and a bit commercial looking, but they’re extremely long lasting. Since they are usually surface mounted, they require especially strong anchoring systems.

Low-maintenance components

Aluminum balusters

Aluminum balusters are inexpensive and available in a number of attractive designs in highly durable colored finishes. You should never have to refinish them. They eliminate that endless chore of cleaning and refinishing wood balusters.

Glass panels

Glass panels are expensive, but they leave you with a perfect, uncluttered view, and they also block the wind. They have to be tempered (hardened) for safety and we recommend that you use a slightly smoky glass so birds (and kids!) don’t accidentally run into them.

Low-maintenance balusters made from metal or glass and designed to be used with wood (or solid composites) are also available. They’re available through home centers and lumberyards or can be ordered online.

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

  • 4-in-1 screwdriver
  • Circular saw
  • Cordless drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Level
  • Miter saw
  • Safety glasses
  • Square
  • Tape measure

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • Deck screws
  • No-maintenance railings
  • posts and balusters
Most of the railing systems come with or require specific fasteners and fittings.