The cost of railings is highly dependent on what you’re buying. Different railing types come with their own challenges. Due to the differences in terms of creation, quantity, and installment, they are all priced differently.

Iron Railings
Wrought iron railings can have the highest price range, by linear foot. The cost depends a lot on the design of the wrought iron railing and the amount of metal used. These railings can be a lot of work to bring to life, from molten metal to a beautiful piece of functional art. Each part is hand crafted with care, like a metal sculpture for your home. Wrought iron railings for the outdoors must also be coated to keep them safe from rain damage and rust. 

Stainless Steel Railings
Stainless steel railings offer simplicity and clean look. Furthermore, they require less maintenance than wrought iron railings. Their more linear design and affordability make them great investments for small businesses. Their sleek appearance and effective functionality make them a great investment for large businesses. No matter what kind of business you have, there is good reason to consider stainless steel railings. However, stainless steel is also a great choice for homes. Their affordability and appearance make them ideal for modern, minimalist or industrial interiors.

Glass Railings

Last, but not least, we have glass railings. These railings don’t have the expense of craftsmanship to the same degree that wrought iron does. However, the material isn’t cheap, and the installation can be touchy. The result, however, is worth the price. The smooth, transparent panels of glass allow maximum light efficiency and visibility within any home or business. Glass railings are one railing type that provides elegance without the need for a unique design.

The type of railing you choose for your interior is largely up to personal preference. However, the reason for choosing a railing type is different for indoors than for outdoors. Here are some of the benefits different railing types have when utilized indoors.

Stairway Integration

Choosing metal or glass railings for your interior is a great choice, visually. They often compliment the appearance of the carpeted or wooden stairways they border. Adding a contemporary look to your stairway is a great way to improve your interior. Floating stairways are also a great way to improve interior visibility and open concepts, as they don’t block light like solid wood.

Light Efficiency

One challenge that is typically more relevant to indoor settings is light efficiency. Trying to keep each part of the house illuminated without adding a new fixture around every corner can be difficult. This is especially true for areas like the basement, or a loft, which both can lack in windows.

Glass railings are great for maximizing light efficiency. Glass can actually spread light further than it would have gone without interruption. This makes glass railings great for keeping a space lit up. The clear panes also will not interrupt light sources with shadows the way other railings might.

While most railing materials are well-suited for building exteriors, there’s more to consider than appearance when deciding. Any railing type with close bars or solid panes can be used for basic safety, such as what you need surrounding a porch or balcony. However, because exterior railings have some needs that are unique from their interior counterparts, there’s more to consider. Here are some ways that different railing types can beat others in meeting your exterior needs.

Height for Security

The first difference is height. While interior railings are primarily for safety and appearance, outdoor railings do even more. There is the matter of security, which is not typically necessary indoors.

When it comes to security, iron railings are the best choice, hands down. Their height can be over doubled, making fantastic gates and fences for surrounding properties. The strength of iron is perfect for keeping out trespassers and preventing theft and property damage.

Pool Safety and Barriers

When it comes to barriers, like what you need around your pool, glass railings are the best option. Glass railings are beautiful. They provide visibility, making it easy to monitor children from the other side. They protect observing parents from getting splashed with cold water. And, last but not least, they keep children from accessing the pool when there are no adults around – a huge security must-have.

Affordable Stair Safety

One of the most common uses for exterior railings is providing safety for stairways. While floor-to-floor stairway railings are a huge safety must-have, even shorter stairways can benefit. 5 steps leading up to a building entrance isn’t much for most of us. However, for public businesses, providing something to hold on to is necessary for elderly and disabled patrons. Choosing an affordable railing type, like aluminum or stainless steel, provides exactly that, without the extra cost and frills.

Choosing the railings that suit your needs can be tricky. If you like the appearance of all railing types for different reasons, relying on their unique qualities may be the answer. Ask yourself what you need your railing for. Is it for the interior or exterior? Are you buying to outfit a business or a home? How long do you need your railing coverage to be? What’s within your budget?

If you’re coming up short on which design is best for you and your needs, it might be time to call and ask for some advice. While you can glean most of what you need to know from our website, there’s nothing better than 

personalized help. Getting a price quote, a time estimate, and learning the limits of how far we can go with customization will help a lot in choosing. So, let us know you need some help, and we can get you all of the information you need to make an informed choice for your order.