Wood stair railing can be painted to match any color under the sun.
Railing can add a decorative look to any porch, but on a staircase, it is a necessary safety feature as well. As a result, choosing the right type of stair railing for a front porch comes down to both appearance and durability. Fortunately, you can choose from several different types of railing that offer a decorative style and performance, so you can find the ideal option for your porch stairs. Does this Spark an idea?
Wood
The classic type of stair railing for a front porch is wood. A front porch is often built using wood, so a wooden railing matches the rest of the structure and creates a traditional look. Wood is an easy material to work with and usually fits most budgets. However, you must choose a wood that can hold up to moisture, insects and other damage that occurs outdoors. Some woods, such as cedar, ipe, teak and redwood, are naturally resistant to decay and insect infestation, but they can be costly. Pressure-treated wood is a less expensive than cedar or redwood, and is treated with chemicals that help it resist decay and insect damage.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is one of the most decorative types of stair railing that you can use -- it often features ornate scrollwork or other intricate patterns. You can even have your wrought iron stair railing custom-made to feature a personalized design that complements your porch and home's exterior. Wrought iron is a highly durable material, and lasts longer than many other types of railing. It usually requires less maintenance as well. However, wrought iron railing is one of the more expensive types of railing that you can choose for a porch, so it may not fit all budgets.
Aluminum
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative to wrought iron, an aluminum stair railing may be an ideal option for your front porch. Aluminum railing resembles wrought iron, so it also presents a decorative look. Unlike wrought iron, however, it is available in a wide range of colors, including white and bronze, so you can match the colors of your home's exterior. Aluminum stair railing also holds up well to moisture and insects, so it lasts for many years. It can be combined with other materials, including wood, to create a distinctive look for your porch railing.
Vinyl
Vinyl is another highly durable type of stair railing for a front porch. It is typically white, but it comes in a variety of styles and designs that allow you to customize the look of your porch. Because it is made from plastic, vinyl railing is completely moisture- and insect-resistant. It does not need to be painted, and will not fade or chip over time. Vinyl railing is usually easy to install as well, so it is an ideal option if you want to install your own porch stair railing.
Tags: stair railing, your porch, front porch, wrought iron, ideal option
