Pros and Cons of Different Handrail Styles

No matter which style of handrail you choose, your job will be easier if you take the time to install it correctly. After all, you don't want to be walking on a deck with a staircase that's crooked or rails that are wobbly! Think of all the design possibilities open to you now; there's no longer any reason to settle for boring railings and gratings. Ultimately, you'll have to decide which handrail style is the best for your project. There are many factors at play including cost, aesthetic appeal, and durability. However, given the new code changes that favor more safety features, it's likely that more consumers will be requesting the types of safety railings that rely on the strength of their connection to a solid fixture rather than the tension in the railing itself.

For vertical handrails, choose a style that fits the building and its setting. 

Your local building codes will be your guide, though of course you can pursue permission to stray from them if you have a good reason. For horizontal rails and balusters, allow the material used to guide your decision, as there are pros and cons to each material. The same is true of shape and length of rails and balusters. Take a few minutes to consider this list, and then do what makes sense for you and your project.

The most popular deck railings these days are picket, panel (usually 3 panels per section) and cable railing. The main way to differentiate them is by the number of vertical elements in the rail. Panels range from 4 to 7 per section while picket railings have up to 10-12. Cable railing has only 2 verticals making it different from a structural perspective and the 2x2 style is often used in pool fences. Some options are more decorative and ornate than others with some incorporating seating or planters. 

Read about offshore handrail here.

In the end, you should buy what looks good but at least now you know there are a lot of options out there!

Cantilevered deck rails can be added to almost any existing structure without much work, but they do require attachment anchors every 8 feet or so to keep them secure. All structural framing (post, beams and joists) should be inspected by a professional engineer to make sure they can handle the additional weight of the railings and staircases.