9 Deck and Porch Railing Ideas with Photos
By: Tessa
Deck season is quickly approaching, so it’s time to get yours summer-ready! Updating your deck or porch railing is for more than just show. A sturdy railing keeps your pets and curious kids safe from potential falls. But, of course, there are plenty of aesthetic reasons to update your railings, too. Installing a railing is an affordable and simple way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. Here are a few updated deck and porch railing ideas with photos of a variety of home styles to inspire your own exterior update.
Do you need help beyond choosing a new deck railing? At brick&batten, our virtual exterior designers are always hard at work creating custom exterior designs and renderings for our clients. We’re on standby ready to make your current home your dream home. Get started online now!
#1 // Railing With Sleek Lines on a Traditional Home
We love the classic beauty of this traditional home. The three-story bay window is such a beautiful, unique architectural element. However, the homeowners came to brick&batten wanting to add a modern touch, so our designers recommended horizontal cable railing with wood trim on top. The clean lines and metal coupled with the organic look of the wood merge timeless with contemporary.
#2 // Glass Railing on a Mid-Century Charmer
Notice that in this before-and-after, our designers left the glass railing as-is. It’s such a unique choice that our designers loved, so they tied it in with the elements used in their virtual exterior design. If you choose to go with glass railing, be prepared to make cleaning it part of your regular routine. Most trustworthy glass railing suppliers use very thick, tempered glass for safety measures. Bonus: Glass deck railing won’t obstruct your view, even when sitting in low-slung chairs.
#3 // Horizontal Railing with Light or Dark Paint
These designs illustrate the versatility of the railing from #1. Mixing brown and black in this way is certainly not a faux pas, especially when it comes to wood. Because this railing combines a warm neutral with a cool neutral, it looks great on light or dark paint and with cool or warm undertones.
#4 // Black X Railing on an Off-White Home
We love a little drama in a design, and this home’s dark accents paired with the monochromatic off-white paint deliver drama. The dark and bold second-story railing are a strong visual focal point. However, to pull this off, we suggest an off-white rather than a stark white. It prevents the design from looking too harsh and sterile. The bronze gutters further celebrate the home’s traditional roots.
#5 // Decorative Iron Railing
The lines in this iron railing add interest and detail to the home’s exterior. Following a similar diamond pattern as the door was an intentional choice by our designer. This just goes to show that your home’s architectural style doesn’t tie you to a specific railing type. Railings are a way to show creativity as well!
#6 // Craftsman Railing with Double Posts
Similar to a standard vertical railing, the double posts used in this design create an updated craftsman look without being too busy on the front of a small home. Just like vertical lines help people appear taller, the same idea can be used on your home. Adding vertical lines can give the illusion of more vertical space. Also, notice how the double railing coordinates with the vertical lines on the door. All intentional choices made by the brick&batten design team.
#7 // Wood Asterisk Pattern Railing
This little Cali bungalow needed something to set it apart from the neighbors. With the client wanting to go with a beach vibe, our designer opted for an interesting railing design. The asterisk pattern is a small detail that adds a little flair and interest. Paired with wood corbels and handrail, along with the whale weathervane, suddenly this bungalow came to life.
#8 // Railing Design on Widow’s Walk
While a white X railing has a modern farmhouse appeal to it, this X railing has more shapes integrated for added detail and interest. Used for the widow’s walk on this traditional brick home, it doesn’t take away from the gorgeous entry. Rather, it’s another method of drawing the eye to the doorway.
#9 // Keep it Simple with a Traditional Vertical Railing
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. There is something to be said for a simple vertical railing, especially on this coastal cottage. The design team chose not to change the railing. Why? Because the current railing looks darling on this house and the ROI just wasn’t there. Part of making simple changes to improve curb appeal is knowing what changes are worth making.
Railings come in so many shapes and forms. Don’t be afraid to add a modern railing to a traditional home! Finding the right railing for your house could take some trial and error, but working with an expert home exterior designer can save you money in the long run.
At brick&batten, we help clients make wise design choices every day. Order an online design from us to get your custom exterior makeover plan. We provide you with a before-and-after visualization of your home with a virtual rendering that helps you see what your design choices will look like before you commit to them. We’ll also give you a useful, clickable resource list so you can set your plans into action in whatever way works best for you.
Subscribe for more content like this!