Let’s look at some of the things you need to consider for deck railings, and how you can still have plenty of creative deck railing ideas that incorporate the functional parts of deck railing. For one, the railing is important because it is the most high profile part of the structure of the deck, it is often the first and last thing people see, and serve purpose as well.

Your railing serves three main purposes:
1. Security: Your deck may be raised and thus, a railing serves as a barrier between you and falling. It also serves as a way to keep children in and animals out, or other unwanted visitors. The railing is a security feature in many ways, it can have locking features, it should be high enough that it is not easy to fall or climb over, and it must also be sturdy to support the weight of those on the deck leaning against and on it.

2. Decorative: Believe it or not, your railing can make a huge difference when it comes to the look of your deck. You can use your deck railing as a way to dress up the area. Many people use the railing in holidays to string lights, garlands, etc. In other cases, the material the deck railing is made of is decorative enough. Basically your deck is pretty basic so it is like the walls of your house, or an artists canvas, it is your decorative space.

3. Last but not least a deck railing also provides a bit of privacy. Many people spend significant time out on their decks, whether it is lying out, entertaining, cooking dinner, or just catching up on the gossip in a magazine. So, because it is a place where a lot of time is spent, it should have at least some measure of privacy, and the deck railing is what provides this privacy.
Now that we can see the three main purposes of deck railings, we can now look at deck railing ideas that fulfill these purposes. One thing to remember is that your railing should be planned at the same time your deck is as it may have to be built down into the base of the deck for needed sturdiness and stability.

Although your deck railing ideas don’t necessarily have to match the material you use to build the deck itself, it is not a bad idea to at least compliment those materials, you probably do not want white vinyl railings with beautifully stained redwood deck flooring.

Another thing to consider is mixing the materials you use for your deck railing. You may want to use a composite wood material to construct the base of the deck because this has a durability feature that is hard to beat, but you may not want the look of that material in terms of the railing. So, use more than one material.

For the best look, you should try to not get the deck components to match each other, but also to match the colors and materials your home was constructed with. This does not mean they have to be the same thing, when you wear clothes you do not necessarily wear purple pants because you are in a purple shirt, but you definitely avoid wearing red pants with a fushia pink shirt. So, think along those lines, it does not have to be the same material, but it should go together.

Now that we have seen some of the basics that should be considered for deck railing ideas, let’s look at some ideas themselves:
1. One great deck railing idea is stainless steel cable railing; this type of railing uses a solid stainless steel top rail, and it uses cables instead of balusters. This is a great idea if you are looking for increased security as well as visibility from your deck.

2. Another fun and creative deck railing idea is glass balusters. While initially this may not seem practical, glass blusters offer elegance and sophistication to your deck area as well as increased visibility from the structure, so it is both beautiful and functional.

3. Another deck railing idea is to use an ornamental metal like iron or wrought iron. This is a great material as well because it too offers beauty and function in the same package. Strong metals like iron offer durability and beauty but must be treated regularly to withstand the weather. And even with that it may not withstand as well as other materials do. Metals like iron have a tendency to rust with weather, so consider your climate in the equation.

4. One great idea to spice up your deck railings without opting for a more expensive or ornamental option is to use deck planters or flower boxes create a nature paradise on your deck.

5. You can also use accessories for your deck railings to spice things up a bit. For example, you can get centerpieces for balusters that come in a variety of designs and create a very classic look on your deck; or you can get post top accessories like post caps and finials that screw directly into the post top to offer an ornamental look to the railings without really increasing the cost.
There are plenty of deck railing ideas and choices, so have fun and find the right one for your situation, budget, and personality.

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