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Porch railings designs


30 Porch Railing Ideas for a Stylish Outdoor Area

By

Farima Ferguson

Farima Ferguson

Farima Ferguson began her career at HGTV where she worked with designers to write about home design. Her work has appeared in HGTV, Insider Reviews, Travel Channel, and more.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 03/08/23

Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Photography by Stoffer Photography

Even though a porch railing's main purpose is for safety, it is a great opportunity to enhance your home's curb appeal. With so many options to choose from, from sown wood balusters to nautical rope details, you have many options to choose from no matter what your home's style is.

If you're wanting to upgrade your porch's design, choosing the railing is a great first step since it usually spans the entirety of the porch. To help you choose the right railing for your home, we share 30 porch ideas to help inspire you.

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What type of porch railing is best? 

The best type of porch railing is one that offers safety and security to prevent people (and pets) from falling off the porch, while also complementing the style and architecture of your home. Whether you choose to build a DIY porch railing or hire a professional, be sure to use quality materials that will hold up over time. 

What are the different types of railing for a porch? 

Porch railings are made from materials such as PVC, vinyl, powder-coated aluminum, stainless steel, stained or painted wood, or wrought iron. Some newer homes incorporate tempered glass panes for a more contemporary look. If you live in an older or period home, consider the architecture when replacing, refurbishing, or choosing a porch railing, since updating a Craftsman or Victorian porch with a non-traditional style can wreck your home’s curb appeal and dishonor its history.

How do I choose a porch railing?

Your choice of porch railing will be determined by a number of factors, from your budget to local building safety codes to the size and height of your porch. When choosing a porch railing, be sure to select materials, colors, and styles that will complement the architecture of your home. Take a look around the neighborhood to see what kinds of porch railings feature on homes similar to yours to determine which ones speak to you. Consider the climate where you live since different materials and finishes will more or less durable in warm, cold, or humid climates.

10 designs to add curb appeal |

If you are looking for porch railing ideas, it's likely you're at the start of a porch design – or redesign – project. The railings can set the tone of your entire porch so need to be chosen carefully: intricate railings will give a period home a highly decorated appeal, while simple, streamlined railings will suit a more modern exterior, while wood and rope designs will work with log cabin or country-style homes. 

Similarly, the profile and density of the railings will create either an open or private feel for your porch, something you may want to vary between your back and front porch ideas.  

The finish on the railings is important, too, with light colors creating an airy feel, and darker tones creating a more dramatic appeal. Wood finishes will bring a rustic appeal to your home too. 

Below, we showcase a variety of porch railing ideas to help you make the right choice.

Porch railing ideas

Whether you are looking for porch railing designs for your front or back porch ideas, bear in mind that they need to be chosen to reflect the architecture of the rest of your home's architecture too. If they can reflect other elements, such as your front gate or backyard fencing, too, all the better.

1. Paint wood porch railings for a cohesive feel

(Image credit: Serena & Lily)

It's always important to reflect the other materials used on your porch in the railings, so if you have a wood front door, shutters and decked flooring, wood will be a natural choice for the porch railings, too. You can heighten the effect of the use of this natural option by choosing porch furniture in sympathetic materials, too.

Wood will obviously need protecting from the elements, which is where your porch paint ideas can play a part. White is a classic, brightening choice that is easy to add accent shades to in easier-to-paint areas of the porch, such as your home's exterior wall, or even just in soft furnishings. White is also the best choice if window frames are painted white, too, to create a cohesive feel. 

'When it comes to choosing the right color for your home, it’s important that you ensure the shade is harmonious with your exterior,' says James Greenwood of Graham & Brown .

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Who knew there was a porch railing design dedicated to cocktails? If you are curious as to how they got this moniker, the binoculars balanced on the flat top rail of the railings above gives you a distinct clue: this top rail is flat and wide enough to hold a cocktail glass, which makes them the perfect choice for small front porches where you might socialize regularly but perhaps don't have the space for drinks' tables.  

Here, the porch railing has been finished with a tough varnish to suit the cabin decor of the house. However, cocktail railings really suit a range of different treatments, with the railings painted a different color or finish to the top railing.

(Image credit: Andrew Suvalsky)

If your home or backyard feature intricate architecture, it pays to echo this within the design of your porch railing ideas. Here, the railings mimic the style of the gates beyond – or perhaps vice versa. The effect is to draw attention to the porch, which means keeping the finish on the railings, in this case white, quite simple. Color can be added in furniture, as on this porch. 

If, as on this porch by Andrew Suvalsky Designs , your seating is positioned to enjoy a beautiful view, it pays to ensure that the porch railings aren't set too high. The ideal height will be around 36in (though in California deck railing is required to be 42in): safe for small children, low enough to be easy to look past when seated.

4. Highlight porch top rails with paint

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Highlighting the top rail of your porch railings is a great idea for adding more color and detailing to your porch, and is particularly successful if chosen to complement your front door color ideas.

'Although the go-to paint is often a white or off white, choosing a bolder color is a great way of creating a feature, especially if you have beautiful doors or windows in your property,' says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore .  

Here, it picks out the shutters and house number, too, and is turn picked up by the planting.

5. Take inspiration from deck railings

(Image credit: Lagoon)

If your porch doubles as a deck, or perhaps you have a raised or enclosed deck overlooking your backyard, it is worth marrying your deck railing ideas and porch railing design. This will create a cohesive look from the front right round to the back of your home. 

Here, the design of the columns, with the diagonal supports, is mirrored in the design of the porch railings to create a look that's simply elegant.

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

'Screening in a back porch will provide you with privacy if you are overlooked by neighbors; it will also help keep bugs away and can help protect furniture from the worst of the weather. It can help make your porch feel like an extension of your home, too,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. 

'The porch railings you choose for privacy needn't be solid, though; these, above, would give you enough screening but still allow a cooling breeze to penetrate, a must in warm climates.'

7. Go for all-over color

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

If, like us, you love color, you can decorate a front porch – doors, railings and trim – in one bold shade. This works perfectly for small porches, like this one, and really suits the intricate gables of a Victorian style homes.

‘Your front door and surround is the perfect introduction to what lies beyond, consider elements such as the vernacular of the build and a palette that has empathy with the architecture,' says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball Brand Ambassador.

Want to go a step further?  'Work with colors that share the same undertone or several shades lighter or darker than one another – this again will create a considered look that is timeless and attractive,’ says Patrick. 

If you are going to take this approach with dark colors, ensure your front porch lighting ideas are efficient enough to light (and show off) what could otherwise be a dark space.

8. Choose cable porch railings for modern spaces

(Image credit: CQM Design + Interiors / J Holt Manning)

If the effect you want to create is minimalist and streamlined, cable railings are the perfect choice for your porch. They are also a great choice for making a small porch feel larger, for maximizing the view beyond and for allowing as much of a breeze as possible to penetrate a stuffy space. 

Cable railings, though modern in finish, needn't just be limited to modern homes; you can see here that designer (and homeowner) Christie Manning of CQM Interiors has used them to complement her period home's architecture.  

9. Pick a composite material for durability

(Image credit: HSH Interiors)

If you love the look of wood but not the upkeep – especially if yours is a large wraparound porch – composite will be a good choice for you. Composite porch railings are made from a combination of wood and PVC and good products look convincingly like wood. They also come ready-colored, so there is no need to paint (or repaint) them, plus they come in a range of styles, so you can find a railing design to suit your home.

10. Pare back porch railings for cottages

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

If you are looking for cottage porch ideas, you could go for an intricate design, but if yours is a small, quite enclosed space, a pared back porch railing will be more space-enhancing and will allow more light into the porch. 

'This type of design is particularly to suited to porches where there is little possibility of injury from falling, particularly for little ones. It also means that the lovely planting in the borders beyond the porch can be enjoyed fully,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.

How tall should a porch railing be?

A porch railing should be at least 3ft in height to be safe, especially if the porch is raised; in California, deck railings are required to be 42in high. In all cases, ensure you stick to height regulations in your locale. 

What is the best material for a porch railing?

The best material for a porch railing is one that suits both the architecture of your home and the amount of upkeep you are prepared or able to dedicate to your porch. This means that period homes are more likely to suit painted wooden or wrought iron porch railings, while modern homes are more likely to suit metal porch railings. However, this is not a hard and fast rules. As for upkeep, composite porch railings require the least upkeep, while anything painted will need touch ups every three to five years, with total renovations every five to 10 years.

How do I decorate porch railings?

The best way to decorate porch railings is to do so in a way that complements the architecture of your home. So if your home's front door or window frames are painted white, it's likely that white-painted wooden porch railings will suit best. Equally, simple designs will suit more modern, streamlined homes, while more intricate designs will work better for period homes.

Do-it-yourself porch railing: types, stages of work

Porch railing is an ornament and a constructive detail designed for fencing along the edges of the stairs. The architectural element is designed for safe entry and exit. Structures are installed in accordance with state standards and building codes.

Contents

  1. Basic requirements for the railing
  2. Design features and arrangement
  3. Dimensions and proportions of the railing installed on the porch
  4. Types of porch railings, their advantages and disadvantages
  5. Focus on durability: metal porch railings
  6. Beauty and luxury of forged railings
  7. Natural and environmentally friendly: wood railings
  8. New technologies: vinyl railings with glass infill
  9. Prefabricated railings
  10. How to make your own railing
  11. Tools and materials
  12. How to make a railing
  13. Assembly

Basic railing requirements

Porch - outside extension in front of the door to the house. It performs the function of transition from ground level to the floor, has a height of 50 cm to 2 m. Steps are an obligatory part of the porch, a platform is mounted directly in front of the door.

Architectural extension can have different sizes and configurations of a circle, square, complex geometry. Porch railings are both decorative and functional, and should complement the design of a building's exterior.

The material used to construct the structures must be compatible and the railing must be able to withstand a point load of 100 kg. The railings are ergonomic and comfortable to use. The upper part of the structure should have a cross section of 40-70 mm. To prevent a person from falling out through the side of the structure, the balusters are mounted at a distance of 15 cm from each other.

Design features and device

Special requirements are placed on the strength of the structure, which is ensured by the optimal distance between the supporting structures (pillars, balusters). They are attached at intervals of up to 90 cm above or at the end of the step. In this case, the railings are removed from the flight of stairs while maintaining the width of the passage. The space between the uprights can be filled with:

Handrails can be welded or screwed. When installing stainless steel railings, a spot welding method is used without metal spatter, which eliminates damage to the interior.

At the top, the porch railings are connected by handrails with square, rectangular, round sections, made of different materials. To facilitate the construction, the railing is made with a carved ornament. This decision emphasizes the architectural and artistic design style of the entrance structures.

Openwork railings made of cast iron, wooden and metal carved panels look great in the design of the porch of monumental and concrete buildings. Decor elements of solid porch railings can be repeated in canopies. Stained-glass windows, sculptures, metal or stone with engraving are used to finish the entrance structures.

Porch railing dimensions and proportions

Design parameters must comply with building codes. For comfortable movement of an adult, the height of the railing on the porch should be 90 cm. In private buildings, fences are mounted 70 cm high, and in structures with a dangerous opening - 110 cm.

The height of the fence is regulated by SNiP 2.08. In this case, the installation of horizontal joints is prohibited so that children cannot climb on them. For convenient use, the width of the railing should not exceed the size of the palm.

Types of railings for porches, their advantages and disadvantages

Porch railing performs zoning, protective, service functions. The material used for the railing must be safe, tactilely pleasing, resistant to the environment. When choosing, it is recommended to take into account the features of finishing the steps, the house and the load on the structure.

Bet on strength: metal porch railing

Stainless steel railings are resistant to environmental influences, easy to install, high strength, long service life. They do not require painting and are less expensive to install than comparable powder-coated ferrous metal structures.

Such designs are distinguished by their practicality, aesthetic appearance, and simplicity of solution. Stainless steel porch railing is used in high-tech, modern design.

The disadvantages of metal fencing include the complexity of installation, the use of special equipment when installing. Some structures are prone to corrosion and require periodic painting.

Beauty and luxury of forged railings

Beautiful porch railings can be equipped with forged elements, which are made of copper, stainless steel, brass, iron, bronze. Products are created by cold and hot forging.

Such elements can be given any color shade, add an effect by applying the technology of patination (artificial aging) of metals. Railings of this type are safe, perfectly combined with other materials, made in different styles. The installation of forged products emphasizes the design of a part of the building.

Natural and sustainable: wooden railing

Wooden railings match the masonry and log entrance area. For buildings built of timber, wooden structures will be the only design option. This material is different:

Lumber has a limited lifespan, which is offset by design potential. Carved fragments can be used as decorative elements. Street structures with balusters must be treated with a special compound that increases the resistance of the material to atmospheric factors.

New technology: vinyl railing

For porch fencing, PVC handrails and sectional railings are used, which are made with imitation of natural wood, stone. This material has disadvantages, which are sensitivity to ultraviolet, low temperatures.

Decorative fences made of WPC (wood-polymer composite) are environmentally friendly and durable. These porch railings are quick to assemble and do not require constant maintenance. The material, consisting of wood flour and PVC, is resistant to fungi, bacteria, living organisms, does not require anti-corrosion protection.

They retain their original shade for 20 years thanks to mass dyeing technology. WPC withstands dynamic and mechanical loads, temperature range -50…+70ºC.

High quality PVC is used to make vinyl railings. This material is distinguished by ease of use, environmental friendliness, color range, resistance to temperature extremes, and does not come into contact with open fire.

Glass railing prefabricated

Porch railing with glass looks stylish and can decorate different types of front stairs. The design perfectly combines metal handrails with transparent, frosted, tinted, tempered glass panels 8-12 mm thick, 90-150 cm long. This method eliminates the need to drill panels. The use of holders in the form of plates during installation ensures reliable fastening. It is easy to decorate glass, add engraving, lighting, the design can be equipped with curly balusters, caps for handrails.

How to make your own railing

Building a railing in the private sector also requires compliance with building codes. Before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with the design and installation technology.

To make a porch railing with your own hands, you need to perform calculations, decide on the materials. Handrails and balusters for the porch made of wood are distinguished by ease of execution. All parts must be sanded before assembly to remove the roughness.

Tools and materials

The following tools are required during work:

When choosing blanks for handrails, attention is paid to the absence of visible defects on the surface of the bars, boards. An impregnating composition is used to protect wood from moisture.

Handrail manufacturing procedure

First of all, you should decide on the shape of the structure, the method of fastening. The porch railing consists of the following elements:

If the railing is attached to the bearing posts from the side, then the structure is assembled on self-tapping screws. Then, racks are inserted into the balusters using a tenon-groove connection, which are pre-lubricated with sealant or wood glue.

If the handrail is mounted from above, the balusters are attached to the steps first. After they are aligned in height, a handrail is put on, which is fixed with self-tapping screws. If it is necessary to install a railing with bends, wooden blanks 3 cm thick are soaked in water until softened. Then bend and fix in this position.

Similar parts can be made from thin veneer, which is laid on the steps close to the uprights. The finished structure is glued, wrapped in a film and fixed with clamps. The veneer is released from the clamps after drying. After bending the wooden parts, they are impregnated with an antiseptic.

Assembly

Wooden porch railings are installed in the recommended sequence. First, mount the extreme balusters. You can fix these structural elements in steps. When installed in a bowstring, the end of each baluster is sawn off at the required angle.

Then holes are drilled in the step and baluster 8 cm deep. The elements must be fixed using a metal pin. To set all the elements in level, a cord is pulled between the extreme balusters.

After the installation of intermediate structures, the handrail is installed using screws, glue, studs. The joints of the railing elements are puttied with a special compound, and the finished structure is painted or varnished.

choice of material and installation features

Wrought iron porch railing

Entering the courtyard of any site, the first building that catches your eye is the porch, business card and face of the house. And for decoration and safety of using it, there are railings or handrails that enclose the edges of the stairs and the porch itself. Their design and appearance determine the appearance of the entire structure, and what kind of porch railings can be, the article will tell.

Content of Article

Requirements for rushes, the railway safety ensures the safety of traffic. Leaning on them, you can avoid falling on a slippery surface.

In addition, handrails are a decorative element that supports the overall style of the building, making the porch design complete.

According to SNiP 31-02-201, the characteristics of the railing must meet the following requirements:

How high the railing should be on the porch depends primarily on the tenants, their age, weight and height. But it is imperative to follow the safety rules for using the structure.

Requirements of GOST 25772-83 for the height of the fence

Design features of the railing

Types of handrails

When installing a fence for the porch of your house, first of all, the question is solved: “What to make the railing on the porch from?”.

It depends on:

The durability of the structure, its appearance depends on the quality of the material used. Outdoor railings for the porch are exposed to temperature extremes, high humidity.

The main types of materials from which the porch railings are made are shown in the table:

Features

Metal

Metal railings are:
  • Expensive and beautiful;
  • Increased strength and reliability;
  • Good combination with any kind of structures;

To exclude the possibility of corrosive damage and preserve the structure for many years, the metal is treated with special anti-corrosion agents that provide reliable protection from direct sunlight, temperature changes and moisture.

When constructing a fence, sharp corners must be avoided, which can create a danger to human health, especially for children. The most solid thing is the porch, the railing of which is made of metal forging.

Wood

Wood has always had high strength and aesthetic appearance. When using wood in home decoration, do-it-yourself wooden porch railings will be the best option. You can strengthen the structure with a metal frame, decorated with a wooden handrail on top.

The tree is distinguished by such qualities as:

  • Aesthetics. Good for machining;
  • Strength;
  • Easy do-it-yourself installation;
  • Environmentally friendly;
  • Comfort and safety.

Disadvantages of wood structures:

  • Short life;
  • From the impact of negative atmospheric factors, beautiful wooden railings can lose their color, swell or dry out.
  • Only good workmanship and a special coating will avoid injury to the skin of the hands from contact with the railing.

Plastic railing for porch

Due to the advantages of polyvinyl chloride over wood and metal, plastic fencing is gaining popularity.

Design advantages:

  • Improved wear resistance. The fence can last for decades without changing its appearance.
  • Flexibility. When using a mounting hair dryer, which makes PVC plastic and soft, you can get any design during the installation process;
  • Easy installation;
  • Variety of textures;
  • The ability to apply any pattern to the material makes it indispensable in design.

WPC porch railing

Wood-polymer composite, compared to wood:
  • Does not absorb moisture;
  • Does not rot;
  • Does not require painting;
  • Washes well;
  • Quick and easy to install;
  • Does not swell;
  • Does not dry.

Concrete

Modern concrete can imitate any popular material. It is indispensable for the design of status houses.

Design distinguish:

  • Capital;
  • High strength;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Solid structure prevents destruction;
  • Durability;
  • The plasticity of the material allows you to reproduce any form of construction;
  • Beauty.

Concrete railings are often installed in combination with balusters, as shown in the photo.

Disadvantages include:

  • Long drying time of finished fence;
  • To avoid injury and damage to clothing, the surface must be made perfectly smooth;
  • The handrail, assembled from separate parts, must have a perfectly flat surface, all joints are adjusted, and the available corners are smoothed as much as possible.

Stone

Stone is solidity and durability. But working with such material is quite difficult. Wherein:
  • The high strength of the stone requires considerable effort in the processing of elements and installation of the structure;
  • Such fences look good as an element of the decor of an expensive house, adding solemnity and monumentality to the exterior;
  • For the manufacture of porch railings, sandstone, marble, granite or artificial stone are used, the price of which is much lower than natural material;
  • Quite a variety of colors;
  • Refinement and elegance of the railing design will add a combination of railing stone with a forged frame.

Vinyl porch railing

Vinyl is the material of the future. For the manufacture of structures used high-quality polyvinyl chloride.

Items different:

  • Durability, more than ten years, and vinyl railings such as Certainteed, without change in their qualities, will last 20 years;
  • Large variety of colors;
  • Resistance to large temperature differences;
  • Easy to operate. Caring for the product, it is enough to wipe them with a damp cloth;
  • The material has an “A” fire safety class. He has no contact with fire;
  • Environmentally friendly.

Design Options

There is no one size fits all solution for making your own porch railing that fits any building style.

For the finished composition, it is necessary that the style of the exterior of the house and the design of the porch be observed.

When choosing a fence design, you can use the following recommendations:

It should be borne in mind that the steps and railings on the porch, made and installed with your own hands, are the face of the house, requiring the same attention as other elements of the structure.

Fencing manufacturing technology

Before you make your own handrails for the porch, you should familiarize yourself with their design and construction technology.

Fencing includes:

For example, consider the option of how to make a railing on the porch with your own hands from wood.

Construction material can be:

When choosing blanks for railings, you should pay attention to the absence of visible defects on the surface of the bars, boards.

An impregnation suitable for the color and texture of the wood is purchased, for a specific type of wood. This is necessary to protect the wooden elements from the effects of precipitation, after the installation of the structure.

Before you make a porch with a railing for a cottage, you should purchase the following tools:

The technology of how to make a wooden porch railing involves the following sequence of work:

Assembling a wooden railing

The video in this article will tell you how to make a wooden railing yourself.

Prefabricated railings

Stainless steel railings for porches, rarely used in private homes. Although, their advantages are undeniable for the use of structures in the open air - they do not rust. In addition, these railings are quite durable.

They are:

A very important quality of such structures is that they can be bought ready-made. The product contains a large number of moving parts.

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