Deck and balcony railings
Steel, cable and aluminum guards for decks, porches and balconies. Built for outdoor life.
Deck and balcony rails take more abuse than anything else we build. Sun, rain, people leaning on them, kids swinging on them. We build them from steel or aluminum, finish them for outdoor life, and bolt them into framing that will hold.
What we build
- Deck guards on new and existing wood or composite decks
- Front porch rails, including rails down the porch steps
- Second-story balconies and Juliet balconies
- Interior loft and catwalk rails that overlook a living room
- Pool deck rails, usually stainless or aluminum
Keeping the view
If you've got a view of Beaver Lake, the hills or just the back yard, picket railing puts bars in front of it. Cable rail and wide horizontal bar keep it open. Glass keeps it completely open, and for that we build the steel posts and frame and a glass company supplies the panels.
The code part
Any deck, porch or balcony more than 30 inches off the ground needs a guard. Residential guards are 36 inches minimum, openings can't pass a 4-inch ball, and the top rail has to hold 200 pounds pushed in any direction. That last one is about posts and connections, which is where most DIY rails fall short.
Finish for outside
Powder coat over properly prepped steel, or aluminum if you want zero rust risk. Near a pool, go stainless or aluminum. Chlorine eats everything else eventually. More on materials.
Questions we get
Can you put a steel rail on a wood deck?
Yes. The rail isn't the weak point, the connection to the deck framing is. We'll look at your rim joist and decking when we measure. Sometimes that means adding blocking or through-bolting posts instead of lag screws.
Surface mount or fascia mount?
Surface mount posts sit on top of the deck boards. Fascia mount posts bolt to the outside face of the deck, which gives you a few more inches of deck and a cleaner look from below. Fascia is usually stronger on wood decks, too.
Does cable railing pass inspection?
It can, if it's built right. The cable has to stay tight enough that a 4-inch ball won't push through, and that takes stiff end posts and the right spacing. Loose cable rail is the most common reason we see one fail.
What about a balcony on the second floor?
Same idea, higher stakes. We make sure the posts are tied into framing and the top rail can take the 200-pound load the code calls for.
Other work we do for houses
Get a price on yours
Send a photo of the space and a rough measurement. We'll get back to you within two business days.
Request a quoteOr call (479) XXX-XXXX
Want a better rail on your deck?
Call (479) XXX-XXXX or send us a photo and a rough measurement. We'll get you a number.