Suggestions for new deck railings

[carpenter383]

I am planning on refurbishing my home's pressure treated deck soon. I will flip the deck boards that are in good shape and replace those that need it. But the deck railings are in very bad shape and I was planning on replacing them with a vinyl or composite railing system. From what I've seen, most systems allow you to slip a new, hollow post over the old 4X4 PT railing post, cut a section of vinyl/composite railing to fit between two posts and then make the attachments.

I went to the local building supplier (not HD or Lowes) and got literature on several different railing systems. But I would like to get suggestions and pros/cons from some of you who have actually done this job before I make a final decision. For example, if you chose a railing that was white in color, how much maintenance have you found was required? Would you have gone with a different color? How was the process of cutting and attaching the railings - was it easier or harder than you thought? How sturdy were the railings? How did the railings work for the stairs on your deck? Was it more or less expensive than you thought? What were the names of the manufacturers you researched, and why did you go with your specific manufacturer?

Any answers you have to these questions, as well as any other comments you might have, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I've actually done alot of the vinyl railing you're talikng about.
There are a few different setups, They sell it with alluminum inserts for more strength or just thick vinyl without inserts. IMHO it makes a really nice looking deck. It is expensive though! You don't wanna cut it wrong and have to buy new pieces. You can get 4x4 sleves that are two peice to wrap existing posts or the sleves that slide over the posts.
If you go this route your material will come with instructions, but they make it seem harder than it is to install. Some go togeather different than others, but basically If your deck is not perfectly level start at the highest point and set your desired height (usually around 36" to the top) Level all the way around. keep your spindles equally spaced between the posts (railing has pre cut holes) Usually you need to cut the railing about 3/4" less that the number between the posts to allow for the anchoring brackets.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
Conventional railing will still look good and will be alot cheaper, but treated lumber will usually have problems warping if exposed to alot of sunshine. And yes vinyl expands, but the way it goes togeather leaves room for expansion.
Vinyl is virtually maitenance free too

 

[dooleysm]

We have white vinyl rails over a composite deck. I like the composite deck but do not care for the vinyl. It was a cinch to put up, except for the non-90 angles we have. They didn't make hardware to do anything but 90's. I went to the supplier and they told me you have to get a utility knife and cut out the brackets to make room for the rails to fit. It took me forever and looks terrible to me. You wouldn't notice if you weren't looking at it close, but still, for what that stuff costs, it should look perfect.

The white vinyl shows dirt very bad too. I don't recommend it.

Eddie mentioned using rebar as spindles. My BIL did that on his deck. The rails were just wood but then he had I believe 3/4" diameter rebar painted green as the spindles (he did this about 6 or 7 years ago, right before the price of steel went through the roof). It looked neat, but the weight of the rebar kind of overwhelmed the rails and added some wiggle to them. If you choose to go this way, make sure your rails can hold the weight. They also started to rust on him, which I'm sure could be helped with better paint application.

This past year he built a poured concrete wall barn/workshop and decided to take out the rebar spindles and use them as god intended, inside concrete. He replaced them with some kind of pre-assembled metal panel rails, which I think look better and are more practical.

 

[/pine]

I will flip the deck boards that are in good shape and replace those that need it

just curious but I would suspect that the boards that have not held up to the elements were originally installed "upside down"...i.e., bark edge down...

when installing decking etc. the "bark side" should always go toward the weather...

Sometimes the grade stamps, cupping or other blemishes make the opposite side more desirable but in the end the bark edge will hold up much longer...

check the end grain for orientation

 

[afcaafma]

OK, the consensus seems to be to go with PT vice the composite/vinyl deck railings. But I would like to paint/stain the railings to match the house trim and to provide some protection from the elements (deck is in full sunlight most of the day). Do any of you have suggestions on how best to apply the paint/stain? I assume a sprayer would work, but then I would have to cover the bushes, deck and house from overspray. Is there another method that works but doesn't take forever? And are there any suggestions for paint/stain? I have heard some good things about epoxy fortified deck stains - do any of you have experience with this type of product?

 

[studor]

Stain the materials before you assemble the railing

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

You could go with standard dimensional lumber from HD or Lowes and if you want something unique take a router to it.

This is about 12 years old I just powerwashed and stained for the first time a month ago