Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. So you might as well enjoy it! At The Deck Supply, we won’t stop you from wandering through another lumberyard, but we will give you some advice on how to make the most of your time and money. Wood may be one of the most affordable materials available, but is it really worth your investment? Our dexperts weigh in on wooden railing costs, maintenance, and more.
What does wooden railing cost?
Without beating around the bush, wooden railing costs vary depending on the type and grade of wood you choose. While we don’t carry wood railing at The Deck Supply, we quote most customers at about $15 a linear foot currently. When compared to aluminum, which is typically around $75 a linear foot, a $60 difference is hard to pass up!
However, wooden railing costs snowball quickly when you factor in paint, stain, replacements, and repairs over time. For the total life of your deck, we recommend durable, reliable metal railing options with factory warranties. While the initial cost of wood railing is much cheaper than aluminum or steel options, trust us, the hidden costs are the ones that add up the most.
The Real Cost
As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Lumber costs a lot less than metal for many reasons, but when you budget for your project, there are a few hidden costs that the guy in the red or orange vest won’t know about as they pick out your planks. It truly pays to trust our dexperts.
Repairs
If you didn’t buy a fixer upper, why would you build a deck that will need regular repair work? When you break it down, decks aren’t so different from any other room inside your home. If your pipes regularly leak or break, you’d replace them with a sturdier option to ensure less costly repairs down the line, right? The same should go for your deck. Repairs can add up no matter where they happen in your home, so avoid having another thing added onto your honey-do list by investing wisely in your railing.
Maintenance
While our dexperts love building decks, we can think of many things we’d rather do than maintenance. Every deck needs regular maintenance to look its best, but wood railing takes a certain level of commitment we reserve for the bold and the crazy. Unless you like spending hours stripping, staining, and painting, and can afford the hours of labor to keep it all ship shape, we recommend options with much lower maintenance for every aspect of your deck.
Headaches
We won’t factor in the cost of painkillers, but if you could avoid a headache, why wouldn’t you? The biggest hidden fees when it comes to wooden railing cost are the headaches over time. Will it be able to handle your rowdy friends, harsh conditions, and anything else that life throws at your home? If not, splinters and broken wood may be the least of your worries. The Deck Supply only carries metal railing options not only for professional looks and quality, but to give our customers the peace of mind they deserve as they enjoy everything that makes their outdoors great.
Our Recommendations
Since decks are all we do, our recommendations are relatively simple. Finding the right railing for you typically starts with how much you’re willing to invest into your deck. We completely understand if you’re not looking to make the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. But we do want you to be satisfied with your purchase for years to come. Our dexperts recommend the same railing we trust for our own homes, so check out these top options!
Aluminum Railing
The 42″ Level DekPro™ Prestige Aluminum Rail Kit is a popular choice for homeowners who don’t mind spending a little more for a lot of quality. This textured aluminum railing comes completely ready to assemble with every nut, bolt, and baluster you’ll need for a truly professional look. With two edge profiles and four available coatings, this is one of the most customizable, reliable railing kits available. To get all the strength of aluminum with a slightly higher cost and added heft, we look to steel railing options.
Steel Railing
Fortress Fe26 Steel Assembled Rail Sections are some of the toughest pre-assembled rail sections on the market. With a contemporary design and ultra-durable powder coating, this railing is designed to stand the test of time. These options are available in various lengths from 6 to 10 feet and are ADA-compliant at 3 feet at finished height. Fortress is also leading their industry with a whopping 15-year limited warranty against weathering and bending. Building your deck with professional-grade materials is easy when you know where to find them!
Our Final Verdict
When it comes to wooden railing costs, our experts recommend looking to more durable options. No matter what railing you choose, The Deck Supply makes it easy to find quality materials and service you won’t find anywhere else. Build your dream deck with a dexpert at any of our locations. Or shop our online selection to bring our showroom wherever you go!