The Advantages of Aluminum Railings

Aug 12, 2016

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When it comes to deck railing and handrails, aluminum is not your only choice. But when you do a side by side comparison with other popular materials such as wood, steel and vinyl, the case for aluminum comes clearly into view and illustrates why your best option may be this selection.

Why not wood?

Wood is a traditional choice with a classic charm. Certainly, it presents a rustic feel to your outdoor recreation space, but unlike the timelessness of wooden railings inside your home, when subjected to the elements, wood is highly vulnerable to weather conditions. To prevent decay, rot and mould requires a lot of maintenance. You can also expect with a wood installation to require scraping and re-painting every year or so to address peeled paint as a result of direct sunlight. Alternatively, powder-coated aluminum is immune to the same weaknesses of wood and is identified as a low maintenance solution.

Why not steel?

The best attributes of steel are its strength and its overall resilience. This has contributed greatly to steel’s popularity for railings and fencing in commercial settings. However, steel requires ongoing attention and needs to be scraped and re-painted every few years to maintain an ideal appearance. The other challenge with steel, particularly in a residential installation requires specialized cutters and grinders on the job site so it’s not an easy material to work with for the do-it-yourselfer. Meanwhile, aluminum is recognized for its flexibility in installation and is easy to modify with a standard miter saw. Compared to steel, another aluminum advantage is that a powder coated aluminum railing never requires to be re-painted.

Why not vinyl?

Vinyl is a great choice for deck surfaces to create an attractive waterproof seal to extend the life of your deck. While vinyl has also been explored for railing use, this is a more suitable solution in climates that don’t experience the seasonal extremes that we see in Edmonton. Some common complaints about vinyl railings are that it is not a very sturdy material and when subject to the intense heat of summer and numbing cold of winter, it is more likely to crack or break. So while popular in the southern States, the life expectancy of a vinyl rail system in Canada’s climate may be a short one. Unlike vinyl, aluminum is impervious to the elements and there have been no reports of cracking or breaking by homeowners that have made this selection. An added benefit of aluminum in comparison to vinyl is that it is not prone to fading under direct sunlight such as vinyl. Over time, vinyl becomes dull and sunbleached, while aluminum maintains its original hues and lustre.

When you consider the attributes and advantages of aluminum railings in Edmonton against other material options aluminum stands up well as a sound investment for your deck project. Add greater value to your aluminum railing when you customize your railing with fixtures such as LED and other unique elements. You’re sure to love your decision to select aluminum railings for your deck.