Getting a deck is a great achievement. It’s also a great investment. When you get a new one, you should be proud to have a place where you can relax with your family. However, you should get a railing for your deck. This keeps you, your family, and your pets safe since decks typically stand above the ground, and accidents can occur. So what do you consider when you’re choosing a deck railing? Read on to find out more.

Know Your Materials

Choosing a custom-made deck railing can be difficult, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the most important decisions you can make is choosing the materials you’ll use for the railing. There are a number of different types, including vinyl, iron, and aluminum. For our purposes, we recommend you stick with aluminum and vinyl, both of which are durable, versatile, and attractive. You also won’t have to do much to maintain them. Wood and glass are both beautiful materials, but wood needs constant staining, and glass can be difficult to keep clean, especially when you have critters running around the yard.

How High Is Your Deck?

Building codes are also important, but you must ensure that your deck railing complies with them. Evaluate the deck’s height to determine if you need a handrail or a guardrail. You generally use a guardrail if it’s 30 inches above the ground or floor. If it’s lower than 30 inches above the ground, then you should install a handrail. This height standard obviously changes according to the state in which you live, so make sure you double-check local building codes. This is an integral part of your choice when you choose deck railing. 

Double-Check Building Codes

Making your deck meet building codes is integral to building your railing. It’s the key to ensuring you don’t receive fines and subsequently need to adjust it. Making sure you do it right the first time is important, so don’t neglect this. Checking all the building code details saves you lots of time and money. If you apply these tips, you should be able to reap the positive benefits of your railing.