*
I recently completed decorative columns on a wrap-around porch and want to add a railing system. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what products would be best to use for durability, weather resistance and strength? Are any of the new composite materials worth using for a rail system? I had planned on using cypress or douglas fir. For the columns, I used MDO and trimmed them out with cypress. While cost is a factor, it is my own home and I expect to stay in it for a long time so it is not the primary consideration.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
This 654-sq.-ft. ADU combines vaulted ceilings, reclaimed materials, and efficient design, offering a flexible guest suite and home office above a new garage.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
*
We are finishing a hoouse with vinyl rails. They are not a bad looking system. Good and strong. This is a new system and isnt as expensive as a lot of the others we have looked at. Cuts way down on labor and eliminates painting. Materila is about double that of treated pine.
Rick Tuk
*brand?
*Assuming you want a painted look rail...I have seen fiberglass rail systems at Home Cheapo (or someplace) that I believe are a step above the vinyl ones that Rick refers to. Kind of pricey though.
*Stain grade? Paint grade? Real wood? Fake plastic?
*AndrewI ment to ask the distributor yesterday. One word of advise, if using vinyl, make sure of the placement of your posts. You cant make a gooseneck at the top of the stairs.Rick Tuk
*"Does anyone have a suggestion as to what products would be best to use for durability, weather resistance and strength?"Sure. Stone.
*We are finishing a hoouse with vinyl rails. They are not a bad looking system. Good and strong. This is a new system and isnt as expensive as a lot of the others we have looked at. Cuts way down on labor and eliminates painting. Materila is about double that of treated pine. Rick Tuk
*brand?
*
I recently completed decorative columns on a wrap-around porch and want to add a railing system. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what products would be best to use for durability, weather resistance and strength? Are any of the new composite materials worth using for a rail system? I had planned on using cypress or douglas fir. For the columns, I used MDO and trimmed them out with cypress. While cost is a factor, it is my own home and I expect to stay in it for a long time so it is not the primary consideration.