Raving About Porch Railings

Front Porch Ideas and More Front Porch Ideas and More Front Porch Ideas and More

Porch Roof Designs

Find us at PorchIdeas.com

Front Porch Ideas and More

Part 1: All About

Porch Roof

Designs

From our Front Porch Design Series


Part 2:

Raving About

Railings From our Front Porch Design Series



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Part 2: Front Porch Design Series Raving About Railings

Hello and welcome! We are Dave and Mary from Front Porch

Ideas and More. We are often asked what makes a great front

porch design.

Visit us at PorchIdeas.com



Let’s Get the Scoop on Porch Railings


Mary and I want to welcome you to our continuing series on what makes a great front

porch design (if you haven't already, be sure to see Part I of our series – All About

Porch Roof Designs).

In this presentation we'll explore porch railings (which are actually known and

referred to as balustrades in the construction profession) to show how they can affect

your overall front porch design. While railings (balustrades) are normally required by

building codes for safety reasons, they also add curb appeal to any front porch, as

you will see.



As this illustration shows, an entire section of railing is the balustrade and is

composed of top handrail, individual balusters (also called pickets or rails),

and the bottom rail.

The majority of porch balusters are made of wood and are usually rectangular,

square, or tapered.




However, there are many

other designs options,and

materials available and

our goal is to help you find

the perfect railing for your

dream porch.

We'll start with wooden

options, though, since

they are the most

common.




Using basic wood pieces, you

can create striking geometric

designs like the rails pictured

here.


One of the reasons wooden balusters

are so popular is that they come in

many different configurations,

everything from round to square to

elaborately turned.



As this unique rail shows, you can even create a rail design that

doesn't look like anyone else's. The one thing to remember,

though, is to make sure to comply with your local building codes.

For example, a standard requirement is typically 4 inches between

balusters and the porch floor and bottom rail. Visit us at PorchIdeas.com



Mixing designs is a great way to add interest - like the square

balusters combined with turned porch columns on this Victorian

porch. While not typical, it creates a unique and lovely front porch.




In contrast to square wood balusters, turned designs come in a

variety of styles and typically adorn houses that are either old or

wanting to recreate the look of an older home, like farmhouses.

Using turned balusters on more modern styles, though, is again a

way to make your design different and reflect your personal

design. Visit us at PorchIdeas.com



Using different sized turned balusters and changing the spacing

are easy ways to change the look of the rails.




Wooden balusters in every configuration can be made into

gates, as shown in this photo. Gates are a way to keep pets and

children safe on the porch, as well as look interesting.




Another type of wood balusters are sawn, which come in many

patters including the very ornate style pictured. Mainly found on

Victorian porches, they would, however, give any style of porch

an interesting design element. Visit us at PorchIdeas.com



Since wooden sawn railings are usually custom made, they can

be any design and are often two pieces that come together to

form the picket during construction.




We love how sawn balusters look - the scroll designs are so

unique and different! If you're worried about upkeep, there are

actually vinyl sawn balusters, too.




Since sawn balusters are carved, they often provide a sense of

privacy with a little more openness than a knee-wall would.




Here you can see a completely different porch railing composed

of natural wood. There is no limit to the materials you can use

for railings as long as they meet your local building codes.




Another railing

option is aluminum,

which also comes in

many patterns and

has the added bonus

of low maintenance

to keep them looking

great for many

years.




By choosing black

aluminum railings,

you can minimize

your railings, letting

the view beyond

become the focus.




When you want your railings to virtually disappear from view,

stainless steel cables are the way to go. They also require

minimal upkeep and last for many years.




Stainless steel cable railings work equally well with many porch

styles - everything from ultra modern to rustic. They can be

installed horizontally or vertically and using a kit, can be an easy

project to take on as long as all your posts are very strong to

support the taut wire.




Most people think of glass or acrylic panels when they want

railings to be almost invisible, however. Popular on coastal

houses, solid see-through panels like these offer the most

protection from wind.




Railings made out of wrought iron also last for years, though

they do require a bit more upkeep than stainless steel. Wrought

iron railings run the gamut from simple to ornate and have been

around for many years, making them appropriate for lots of

different house styles.




Knee walls - a more

solid railing option -

have been around for

many years, though

they aren't as popular

on current house

designs.


Knee walls - a more

solid railing option -

have been around for

many years, though

they aren't as popular

on current house

designs.

They actually help to

provide a nice, private

porch room while blocking

wind and can be made from

wood, stone, brick, and

other materials.



The ultimate in low maintenance, though, may be vinyl lattice

panels which come in many designs, even custom, making

them a appealing railing option.




There is, of course, an option

of having no railing at all

when you desire a completely

open view. Your porch has to

be less than 3 feet from the

ground, though, for this

option to comply with building

codes.

Going without railings can

make narrow porches feel

bigger.




By painting wooden railings in various color

combinations, the same design can take on

a completely different look. Balusters can be

all one color or two or more by painting only

sections of the railing.




We've covered a lot of railing options, but believe it or not - there are many more

only limited by your imagination (and maybe a building code!). They can provide

protection and privacy as well as make a design statement and should be a

primary focus of your overall porch design.

For more information about porch railings, railing photos, designs, and materials,

and to get other front porch ideas, please visits us at porchideas.com.




In part III of our Front Porch Designs Series we'll explore your Porch

Column options. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much they can

affect your overall design too.

Please join us here to continue the series on front porch designs.

This is Dave and Mary. See you on the porch!




Photo Credits

Mr Fixuum

The Cable Connection

UFPI.com

FSI Home Products

Riggo Design

Accurio LatticeWorks


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrfixumm/3973419628/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrfixumm/3973419628/in/photostream/

http://thecableconnection.com/

http://www.ufpi.com/

http://www.fsihp.com/

http://riggodesign.com/

http://acuriolattice.com/

http://acuriolattice.com/




Thank you! Visit us for more info on

Porch Railings http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/porch-railings.html

http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/porch-railings.html

http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/porch-railings.html

Raving About Porch Railings

Self Improvement

Transcript of Raving About Porch Railings