Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford
Do you have a favorite outdoor space? If yes, could it be your backyard? Or your front porch? Or maybe it is your deck. If it is your deck, then we are on the same level because that is my favorite outdoor space too.
The deck is a cozy space in the house where you can sit, relax, and enjoy yourself.
However, the enjoyment of the deck in your house can be improved if only you can add some deck railing options to it.
You don’t have to include some boring and expensive railings to your deck, below are some DIY deck railing ideas you can use to create a wonderful deck space for your enjoyment.
Related: 30 Porch railing ideas
Here Are the DIY Deck Railing Ideas:
1. Recycled Pallets Railing
For those who are on a budget, this is a great DIY deck railing idea. It is also good for those with plenty pallets hanging around their home.
This may not need any tutorial, you just have to be creative when arranging those pellets and fitting them between the posts. Try to get plenty of pallets together and get this done in minutes to improve your house design.
2. Landscape Retaining Wall
This is a great option for deck railing. You can just build this beautiful landscape retaining wall in your deck instead of building traditional posts that have spindles between them.
To beautify this retaining wall, you can plant different beautiful flowers that will add colors to the deck.
3. Wagon Wheel Deck Railing
This is a neat type of deck railing. To get this done well, you can purchase the wagon wheels or you can collect old wagon wheel items from around the neighborhood.
Those you get around may make the design look rustic; buying a new wagon wheel will be the best and it will look great on your house deck.
4. Tree Branch Decking
Just like the wagon wheel deck railing, this is another neat deck railing idea. After building the deck, you will have to replace the normal spindles with branches.
This is a very good idea especially if you have plenty of branches hanging around your house. It is very simple to design and it looks great on your house.
5. The Wood Lattice Screen
A house with a deck provides the best place to bond and rest with friends and family; you will know this if your house has one. However, the deck in your house may lack privacy.
Don’t condemn the deck yet, you can just construct the wood lattice screen around your deck to provide you with enough privacy.
6. The ‘Cracked Ice’ Deck Railing
This is a beautiful deck railing that is generally built by professional custom deck designers. When fully designed, you may be able to swing it if you only have a crafty mind.
After it is done, the cracked ice deck railing provides the best place to relax and hang out with your family. Although it may seem to be expensive, its impact on your house worth it.
7. Posts Mounted on the Outside of the Deck
Are you building a new deck already?
If yes, you will want to make it look traditional by trying out something new. You can make use of this DIY deck railing idea; this will make it look different than the normal deck railing design. You can do this by mounting decking posts outside the deck.
8. The Lattice Porch Panels
You need to try this DIY deck railing idea if you have an environment that is full of lattice or if the lattice is surrounding a screened porch.
Once you have this, you can cut it to your taste creatively to have a fresh new design. It is a simple DIY project that you may not need the help of professionals.
9. The Branch or Log Railing
The log railing is a great deck idea that will give your deck railing a gorgeous design with beauty. This idea is better with a rustic theme or even a wood cabin theme.
10. Plexiglass House Railing
Do you always feel like seeing what is happening outside? Are you afraid that a custom deck may prevent you from seeing outside? Well, the use of plexiglass will help you out instead of railings.
This idea is safe for you to use and you can easily see through it. This is a DIY project and it may need the help of professionals.
11. Birch Wood Deck Railing
If you have a lot of birch wood in your property or house, you can make use of this great deck railing idea.
Just make use of this wood for the deck and prevent it from getting wasted. This is an inexpensive deck railing idea and it will beautify your deck.
12. The Deck Slide
Although this is not a railing design, it is just a way of adding spice to your deck railing. This is a great especially if you have kids because it will help them get down the deck and it will prevent kids from falling down the deck.
13. Belly Up Bar Rail
This deck railing idea is a great one for your deck because it is unique. The addition of a bar area does not mean that you will have to redo your deck railing; it is just a way to touch up the design and satisfy you always at your deck.
14. Horizontal Deck Railing
If you need your deck to look modern, then this deck idea is for you. The design of this thick, horizontal railing includes the use of thick pieces of wood.
This is mostly useful during winter because it has warmth to the porch. This idea will make people want to visit you!
15. The West Village Terrace Railing
For those who have a low budget, they can try their hand on this DIY deck railing idea. This idea is not for everyone (especially if you are considering the budget aspect) and you can easily do it yourself. It looks very durable and beautiful on your deck.
16. Rope Railing
This deck railing idea would be best for a lake house and a cabin in the woods. It will be great for houses sited in the suburbs. So, think about creating a rope railing in your house, especially that in the suburb now.
17. Flat Slat Railing
The flat slat railing idea is an updated type of the common spindles (you can see this around).
However, this adds a modern touch to your deck and it will upgrade your deck from the basic design to the modern design with an added flare. You need to consider this deck idea.
18. The Modern Porch Railing
This deck railing idea will make your house look more modern again. The design of this modern porch railing can be done with the use of hog fencing to design the railing part of your deck. Try this and see how your house will look like (your house will look classy and modern).
19. The Criss Cross Porch Railing
This deck railing idea is used mainly for houses located at the beach. This is great especially if you don’t want anybody to get under the porch.
It is a simple DIY idea that adds beauty to your porch design and makes it look modern.
20. Thin Rope Railing
As already mentioned in Rope Railing (which involves the use of thicker rope), this railing is mainly used by thin rope and care must be taken when designing it.
Since the rope is thinner, the design is simple and it is a DIY project that you can easily handle yourself. You can consider this railing idea because it is more manageable than so many others.
21. DIY Wire Railing
If you are overlooking the beach or your backyard, then this deck railing idea would work well for you. The design is classy and unique and it will definitely fit anywhere. For the design of this railing idea, you will need both direction and inspiration to get it done.
22. The Store Bought Railings
This deck railing idea is one of the best ideas out there. It does not make use of your time and you can easily create it yourself. All you have to do is to buy these store railings and use your creativity to bring something out.
23. The X-Shaped Porch Railing
This deck railing idea for porch is great for a country setting or a beach setting. The design looks very simple making it one of the simpler DIY you can create.
This is a great idea for you especially if your deck is not too high off the ground. It allows perfect view and prevents you from falling.
24. Galvanized Pipe Railing
This is another budget-friendly deck railing idea that you can use on your deck. It looks simple and the idea is unique.
You may not need a tutorial for this but you can use your creative ideas to get this done. For those who need a durable deck railing, this is a better deck railing idea for them.
25. Chippendale Railing
If you like the look of a Chippendale railing, this option is for you then. Once you know how to do this, you will want to practice it. This is a unique DIY project and it looks different on your house. Check it out and do it yourself.
26. Horizontal Deck Railing
This deck railing idea is what most people love to use. It is a modern design that adds the modern touch to the deck in your house, making it looks great from every corner of the view. If you are concerned about your view and the design, this is a great railing idea for you.
27. The DIY Deck Railing
This simple DIY deck railing idea is very simple to design and it involves the use of cattle or hog paneling. You can modify the paneling if you already have an extra railing at the top. For those in need of a very simple DIY deck railing, this might be of help.
28. Stainless Steel Welded Mesh
If you want a strong and unique deck railing idea, this option is for you. You may need a tutorial to do this deck railing option. It is not as costly as it looks and it is very durable. Lastly, it will add a touch of beauty to your house.
29. The Modern Wire Railing
The modern wire railing is a unique and a totally different railing idea for your deck. The design of most of these railing ideas is built mostly and totally out of wood with wood pickets and wood posts.
However, modern wire railing is totally different because it is designed with wire for the pickets or metal for the poles but it is still built on a wooden base.
30. Electrical Conduit Deck Railing
Looking for another deck railing idea, this is an easy deck railing way out for you. To do this, you will have to take away the pickets they already used to design most of the house decks. Then, you will have to drill holes around the deck area and put these electrical ducts in a horizontal array into the holes. Although the design looks simple, it looks great too to the eye.
FAQs
What is the code for railing on a deck?
The IBC mandates that any deck which is 36inches and above in height, sustains at least 300pounds in weight, and with treads that are at least 10inches in depth must require deck railing.
How much do deck railings cost?
On average, deck railings will cost from $100-700. This range includes materials, labor costs, and installation.
What is better vinyl or aluminum railing?
Both are considered the top choices for railing. Both are rust and corrosion-resistant. They also share low maintenance characteristics. But between the two, vinyl railing is now a more preferred choice because of three things: the color will not fade, it does not require sealing and it does not need staining.
Does my deck need a railing?
The general rule of thumb is that any deck that is less than 30inches in height does not require a railing. Nonetheless, you might still opt for it depending on the terrain of your property. So even if it is just 20inches in height, if the surface beneath is unsafe, your deck might still need a railing.
How far apart can deck railing posts be?
As mandated by the IBC, deck railing posts should not be more than 4inches apart. Maintaining this distance allows enough view in between the spindles and close enough to ensure safety especially for kids.
How high should deck railings be?
Codes for deck railings are specifically strict because this exterior structure is clustered under critical health and safety matters. According to the International Building Code (IBC), all deck rails should be 36inches higher than the home’s existing residential deck. For restaurants and other commercial establishments, it should be 42inches and above.
How do you secure a railing on a deck?
Aside from the 36-42inches railing height, you also must note that the posts you should use must not be more than 10inches long. To secure a railing on a deck, the following steps should be mastered:
- After cutting the posts, you must secure them by bolting the posts to the rim joists. Make sure that the spacing in between is not more than 72inches from the center.
- If you are working on a composite railing system, you must slide the post’s sleeve against the wood post. After this, slide the post’s sleeve skirt above the sleeve. This will ensure that both are resting on the deck.
- Next, secure the top and bottom rails by screwing them in at 2inches apart.
- Attach the top cap and install the balusters next. After which attach the final top caps to secure everything.
Related: 35+ Best Deck Skirting Ideas and Designs
Do you need railings on both sides of deck stairs?
The IBC mandates that any stairs with four or more steps must have a handrail on one side. But a stairway with more than 88inches of height should have handrails on both sides of the stairs.
Is cable deck railing expensive?
Yes. On average, a cable railing costs $60 per linear foot. Compute this against the standard 350sq.ft. deck and you would get an average cable deck railing installation of $2000-3250.
Is it OK to notch deck railing posts?
Strategically, this is not necessary. Notching the deck railing posts set up weak connections in between them. Notching them up will only reduce the structural integrity of the railing posts.
Is cable railing cheaper than wood?
In terms of materials, cable railing is twice the cost of wood railing but in terms of labor and installation costs, cable railing can be more inexpensive than wood.
Do outdoor steps need a handrail?
Yes. It follows the four or more steps of stairs requiring a handrail on one side and any exterior walking surface that is 32 inches and up requiring two sets of handrails (one for each side).
Conclusion
Above all, now that you have 30 different top DIY deck railing ideas, I am sure you know which one to choose already. You can choose based on your lifestyle, your taste and maybe your budget.
You can also try to lay your hands on different styles. The Canopy Tree services in Southern Highlands may be of help to your desired railing designs. Aside from pruning services, they are also a team of expert tree house builders!
