Raving About Porch Railings

Front Porch Ideas and MoreFront Porch Ideas and MoreFront Porch Ideas and More
Porch Roof Designs
Find us at PorchIdeas.com
Front Porch Ideas and More
Part 1: All About
Porch Roof
Designs
From our Front Porch Design Series
Part 2:
Raving About
Railings
From our Front Porch Design Series

Part 2: Front Porch Design Series
Raving About Railings
Hello and welcome! We are Dave and Mary from Front Porch
Ideas and More. We are often asked what makes a great front
porch design.
Visit us at PorchIdeas.com

Let’s Get the Scoop on Porch Railings
Mary and I want to welcome you to our continuing series on what makes a great front
porch design (if you haven't already, be sure to see Part I of our series – All About
Porch Roof Designs).
In this presentation we'll explore porch railings (which are actually known and
referred to as balustrades in the construction profession) to show how they can affect
your overall front porch design. While railings (balustrades) are normally required by
building codes for safety reasons, they also add curb appeal to any front porch, as
you will see.

As this illustration shows, an entire section of railing is the balustrade and is
composed of top handrail, individual balusters (also called pickets or rails),
and the bottom rail.
The majority of porch balusters are made of wood and are usually rectangular,
square, or tapered.

However, there are many
other designs options,and
materials available and
our goal is to help you find
the perfect railing for your
dream porch.
We'll start with wooden
options, though, since
they are the most
common.

Using basic wood pieces, you
can create striking geometric
designs like the rails pictured
here.
One of the reasons wooden balusters
are so popular is that they come in
many different configurations,
everything from round to square to
elaborately turned.

As this unique rail shows, you can even create a rail design that
doesn't look like anyone else's. The one thing to remember,
though, is to make sure to comply with your local building codes.
For example, a standard requirement is typically 4 inches between
balusters and the porch floor and bottom rail.

Mixing designs is a great way to add interest - like the square
balusters combined with turned porch columns on this Victorian
porch. While not typical, it creates a unique and lovely front porch.

In contrast to square wood balusters, turned designs come in a
variety of styles and typically adorn houses that are either old or
wanting to recreate the look of an older home, like farmhouses.
Using turned balusters on more modern styles, though, is again a
way to make your design different and reflect your personal
design.

Using different sized turned balusters and changing the spacing
are easy ways to change the look of the rails.

Wooden balusters in every configuration can be made into
gates, as shown in this photo. Gates are a way to keep pets and
children safe on the porch, as well as look interesting.

Another type of wood balusters are sawn, which come in many
patters including the very ornate style pictured. Mainly found on
Victorian porches, they would, however, give any style of porch
an interesting design element.

Since wooden sawn railings are usually custom made, they can
be any design and are often two pieces that come together to
form the picket during construction.

We love how sawn balusters look - the scroll designs are so
unique and different! If you're worried about upkeep, there are
actually vinyl sawn balusters, too.

Since sawn balusters are carved, they often provide a sense of
privacy with a little more openness than a knee-wall would.

Here you can see a completely different porch railing composed
of natural wood. There is no limit to the materials you can use
for railings as long as they meet your local building codes.

Another railing
option is aluminum,
which also comes in
many patterns and
has the added bonus
of low maintenance
to keep them looking
great for many
years.

By choosing black
aluminum railings,
you can minimize
your railings, letting
the view beyond
become the focus.

When you want your railings to virtually disappear from view,
stainless steel cables are the way to go. They also require
minimal upkeep and last for many years.

Stainless steel cable railings work equally well with many porch
styles - everything from ultra modern to rustic. They can be
installed horizontally or vertically and using a kit, can be an easy
project to take on as long as all your posts are very strong to
support the taut wire.

Most people think of glass or acrylic panels when they want
railings to be almost invisible, however. Popular on coastal
houses, solid see-through panels like these offer the most
protection from wind.

Railings made out of wrought iron also last for years, though
they do require a bit more upkeep than stainless steel. Wrought
iron railings run the gamut from simple to ornate and have been
around for many years, making them appropriate for lots of
different house styles.

Knee walls - a more
solid railing option -
have been around for
many years, though
they aren't as popular
on current house
designs.
Knee walls - a more
solid railing option -
have been around for
many years, though
they aren't as popular
on current house
designs.
They actually help to
provide a nice, private
porch room while blocking
wind and can be made from
wood, stone, brick, and
other materials.

The ultimate in low maintenance, though, may be vinyl lattice
panels which come in many designs, even custom, making
them a appealing railing option.

There is, of course, an option
of having no railing at all
when you desire a completely
open view. Your porch has to
be less than 3 feet from the
ground, though, for this
option to comply with building
codes.
Going without railings can
make narrow porches feel
bigger.

By painting wooden railings in various color
combinations, the same design can take on
a completely different look. Balusters can be
all one color or two or more by painting only
sections of the railing.

We've covered a lot of railing options, but believe it or not - there are many more
only limited by your imagination (and maybe a building code!). They can provide
protection and privacy as well as make a design statement and should be a
primary focus of your overall porch design.
For more information about porch railings, railing photos, designs, and materials,
and to get other front porch ideas, please visits us at porchideas.com.

In part III of our Front Porch Designs Series we'll explore your Porch
Column options. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much they can
affect your overall design too.
Please join us here to continue the series on front porch designs.
This is Dave and Mary. See you on the porch!

Photo Credits
Mr Fixuum
The Cable Connection
UFPI.com
FSI Home Products
Riggo Design
Accurio LatticeWorks

Thank you!
Visit us for more info on
Porch Railings
http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/porch-railings.html

Raving About Porch Railings

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Raving About Porch Railings