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Modern Railings vs. Traditional Style Whether you are replacing your deck or retrofitting an old railing system, there are considerations to be made about style and material choices for new railings. Traditional deck railings and the commonly used “wood spindle” and “picket” designs can be replaced with modern choices like horzontal railing systems and panel designs. Modern material choices like aluminum, stainless steel, and composites are rapidly replacing traditional wood railings. Hybrid railings and pre fabricated kit systems are fast installing and easy to source in most places. A multitude of options does however come with the caveat of difficulty when choosing your new railing system. For this we offer our favorite choices when installing a new modern deck railing system. SAN DIEGO CABLE RAILINGS MOST POPULAR MODERN DECK RAILING SYSTEMS: GLASS PANELS, BASE SHOE, AND POST CLIP- Glass panel railings make for an attractive and durable exterior railing system that is perfect for coastal decks. These systems can be installed in a number of fashions from traditional wood post frames, to steel post and clip installations. For high end installations and customers that want ultimate transparency; a base shoe cleat can suspend the panels without need for a top railing. STAINLESS STEEL CABLE – Cable railings are well known for strength and durability, as well as superior transparency when compared to traditional deck railing systems. They are easy to install, attractive and modern railing systems. Style options and color choices for cable railing systems are endless and hybrid steel, wood, and composite options can be easily incorporated to sturdily frame for stainless cable infill. Modern Deck Railing Corrosion Resistance Both cable and glass railing systems offer extreme corrosion resistance when compared to traditional picket railing systems. Maintenance is minimal in both cases; minor annual cleaning and inspection is required to keep these railings in tip top condition. If we must rate one or the other; in most cases the cable railings system will require less maintenance than glass solely because of the need for cleaning the glass panels. When combining either infill (glass, cable) with a sturdy stainless steel frame, the railing system will function for decades and maintain the beautiful aesthetic with minimal change. Our preferred material choice for corrosion resistance is domestic stainless steel which outperforms aluminum in coastal applications. Cost Comparisons for SDCR Deck Railing Choices: Cable railing systems can be constructed comparably to just about any railing system or package on the market of similar quality. Consumers should consider the longevity and ease of maintenance when comparing cheaper options that may fade, crack, or lose structural integrity. When compared to glass panel railings, the cable railing systems for modern decks will almost always be less expensive. Once again, we would still recommend exploration of durability and ease of maintenance when making these type of comparisons. A lower up front cost base does not always result in a lower overall cost, and definitely does not factor possible call backs, or early replacement of inferior railing types. California Coastal Railing Systems Our modern deck railing systems can be found up and down the California coast; performing in some of the toughest environmental conditions. If you want to learn more about the best material choices for coastal railings, contact one of our sales team members. DIY Deck Railings vs. Contractor Installation Our preferred contractors at San Diego Cable Railings have installed hundreds of stainless steel cable and glass railing systems all over California. We also offer a multitude of options for DIY installers from hand crimp cable hardware to swageless cable rail products. If you have questions about aluminum and stainless steel railing systems feel free to give us a call or visit the QUOTE REQUEST form for a free estimate on our popular stainless cable railing and glass railing systems. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A QUOTE FROM OUR SALES TEAM! Modern Deck Railings, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Modern Deck Railing Ideas MavenOctober 21, 2024 100% American made Steel, Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Railing Comparison MavenSeptember 30, 2024 Cable Railing News Stair Railing Ideas MavenSeptember 6, 2024 Safe Deck Railings Pony Wall Railing Renovations MavenAugust 20, 2024 kids and cable railings, Safe Deck Railings Safer Deck Railings MavenJuly 31, 2024 Browse More Posts Add Your Heading Text Here
If your outdoor living space is looking a bit drab, it may be time for a facelift. A structurally sound deck may only require some regular maintenance or material upgrades for a new and updated look. Today’s modern materials and building techniques can remove years from your decks appearance without the cost of a complete overhaul. Here are 3 easy ways to modernize your deck without breaking the bank: Exploring Finish Options and Construction Techniques for a Modern Deck Remodel #1-Deck Refinishing- In many cases an older deck just needs a facelift. Wooden decks tend to lose their luster over time becoming weathered and thus looking older. The least expensive and probably quickest update is to clean and refinish your deck. In addition to a clean space looking better; it will actually extend the life of your investment. Leaving environmental contaminants on flat surfaces greatly expedites the amount of wear. UV rays bake on dirt, so try to keep your deck clean with periodic maintenance or hire a pro. A professional refinisher may charge a flat rate for a smaller deck or in the neighborhood of $2.00-$4.00 per square foot for a wooden deck refinish. #2 Replacing the Decking- If the structural bones of the deck are good then replacing just the deck boards may be an option to achieve a more updated finish. Exotic hardwood species like Ipe‘ and Cumaru are very popular and durable alternatives to older wooden decks. Composite decking also offers a more modern twist on deck boards by offering a ton of color options, faux hardwoods and hidden fastening systems. Both hardwoods and composites can last upwards of 30 years so the cost of these materials is justified by the quality. Hardwood and Composite boards can run anywhere from $2.50 – $6.00 per lineal foot of 6″ material which we need to multiply by 2 in order to get an estimated square foot cost of $5-$12 per square. In addition we need to factor the cost of screws or a hidden fastener system which can add about $1.00-$2.00 dollars per square foot. #3 Installing New Deck Railings- Adding a cable railing system or glass railing to an older deck will remove decades from its appearance. If the deck has street exposure it will likely take decades off of the appearance of the house as well. Cable railings are modern and sleek; in line with the most utilized style of many newer buildings and developments. Glass railings provide transparency and windbreak with the look of modern finishes like brushed stainless or aluminum. Both railing options provide the ability to add extras like LED lighting for a finishing touch. One smart pro tip for any deck railing replacement project is to try and perform any refinishing, or deck board replacement prior to installing the new railings. By following this order you can avoid any possible damage to the new railings and also make each individual facet more streamlined. A typical order of operations for a more extensive deck remodel would call for any removal and repairs first, followed by a new deck surface and new railings. San Diego Cable Railings provides sales and installation services for cable railings and glass railings up and down the coast of California. We also offer our cable railing products to DIY customers across the country. If you have questions about ways to modernize your deck our pros can help. Give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page today.