Putting up railings outdoors comes with a great number of considerations. What’s safest? What looks good with with the exterior design of the building? What will stand up to the local weather? Pro Weld, the railing experts, are here to cover the basics of outdoor railings. We know a thing or two about how each railing material stands up to the weather. Let’s take a look.
Avoid Wood
Wooden railings are surprisingly common outdoors. That’s mostly just because wood is such an affordable material. A little paint makes a cheap product last a few years outdoors. The problem with wooden railings is that they won’t last. Rain, snow, and frequent wear and tear from use will make wooden railings deteriorate. The paint will start to curl and chip, leaving the wood beneath vulnerable to the elements. The elements won’t be kind.
The other thing about wooden railings is that each slat or dowel between the top and bottom of the railing is usually only secured with a nail or screw on either end. It’s so incredibly easy for these nails to come loose, leaving a big gap where a railing used to be. Taking the safety risks and the overall quality drop that wooden railings give to your home, it’s best to avoid them.
Consider Aesthetic
Now that we’ve moved away from wood, it’s time to consider how the material of your railings will affect your exterior. There is something to be said for exterior aesthetic. After all, the way your home looks from the outside is the first thing visitors, neighbors, and buyers will see. That’s why curb appeal is so important.
For red brick homes, wrought iron railings look truly amazing. The black iron really stands out boldly against the backdrop of red. It’s also a classic combination. Buyers and admirers alike will love this timeless color palette.
More modern-looking homes made out of lighter stone may look good with glass or stainless steel railings. It depends on the kind of vibe your exterior gives off. Are you looking for something gentle and beautiful, or something sleek and bold? Take a trip outside your house and imagine the different railing types before picking based on guesswork. Try looking up pictures of other homes with a similar design to yours and see what you think looks best on those.
Weather Resistance
When it comes down to outlasting the weather, Pro Weld offers a number of great railing solutions. Wrought iron and cast iron both do incredibly well against both rain and snow. You’ll find that both types of damp weather won’t do much in the way of wear on your iron railings.
However, if you’re looking at using stainless steel, it’s worth considering the effect of snow. The colder times of the year can lead to smooth, steel railings becoming sticky with cold. Like the timeless tale of licking a metal pole in winter, touching your skin to a cold, steel railing can lead to some discomfort. It’s all a matter of who’s using the railings and where they’re located.
No matter what choice you’re leaning towards, we’re always happy to get a call. Give us a call and we’ll take the time to answer all of your questions. We’re looking forward to helping you through your order and serving your home the way we do best.
