Your porch is important. The front porch is one of the most forward-facing parts of your home. It helps to create the all-important first impression or curb appeal of your house. Meanwhile, your back porch or deck area may be a gathering place for family and friends. Countless memories are made in that space. If your front and/or back porch looks old and tired, ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman of Cincinnati can give it a much-needed facelift with a new porch railing system. New porch railings increase the beauty of your home while making your porch safer and more accessible.
The days of boring, utilitarian porch railings are long gone. There are so many options to choose from to beautify and enhance one of the most visible and traveled parts of your home. Let’s examine a few of those designs and how ProMaster’s Home Repair Heroes can transform the appearance and functionality of your porch.
Materials
Selecting the right porch railing system for your home begins with choosing the material that fits your desires and budget. There are multiple material options for new porch railings on your Cincinnati home.
Wood
Wood is the most popular material for porch railings. It is typically the most inexpensive option. It is also highly customizable. Wood can be stained for a more traditional look. It can also be painted, in which case your color options are nearly limitless. That can really give your porch some added pizazz! Just keep in mind that paint won’t last as long as a high-quality stain.
Other materials can be combined with wood to create an even more interesting and unique design, as seen in the ProMaster porch rail installation below.
Wood requires more ongoing maintenance than other railing materials. It will need to be stained or painted every five to seven years, depending on weather, sun exposure, and other factors. Wood is also more susceptible to insect damage and rot over the long haul, so factor that in when you are considering your porch railing material.
Composite
This material is a blend of plastic and wood fibers. Composite porch railings feature exceptional weatherability. They will not rot, warp, or crack. They also do not require paint or stain.
Composite railings are available in a variety of colors and styles. Some composites feature a wood look, but feature a longer lifespan and require less maintenance than actual wood. Others feature a sleek, modern look that will give your Cincinnati porch some pop!
Composite railings cost more than wood railing systems, but that cost is typically offset by the longer lifespan and the maintenance-free nature of the material.
Vinyl
If you’re looking for a maintenance-free porch railing option that costs less than composite, vinyl may be just the ticket. Vinyl porch railings are available in multiple colors. Colors can also be mixed between the top and bottom rails and the balusters to increase your porch area’s visual interest.
Vinyl can oxidize over time, causing the colors to fade. It is also more prone to scratching than harder materials. But, all in all, it is a durable, long-lasting material, making it an attractive option for porch railings.
Metal
There are different metals that can be used in porch railings. Aluminum, wrought iron, and steel are among the most popular options.
Aluminum is normally the most inexpensive option for metal railings. It is a lightweight material, but it is still quite sturdy. There are different color options, with black or white (or a combination of the two) being the most popular. It also features a long lifespan. An aluminum porch railing system can last up to 25 years with little maintenance.
Steel and iron are the strongest porch railing materials available. They are also the most expensive. These railings can add a sleek and contemporary vibe to your porch. These metals are more likely to rust, so there will be some painting and maintenance required to keep your porch looking its best for years to come.
Designs
Porch railing designs should complement and accentuate the architecture of your home. Fortunately, the design options for railings are virtually limitless.
As seen in the pictures below, different colors, shapes, and materials can all be combined to enhance the design and personality of your home.
Any porch railing system must comply with local building codes. For example, all counties in the Greater Cincinnati area require balusters to be no more than four inches apart. Your ProMaster Home Repair Hero will ensure that your railing is not only attractive and functional but also fully compliant with the applicable codes.
Ready to Talk to an Expert?
The Home Repair Heroes at ProMaster are the porch railing experts in the Greater Cincinnati area. They can help you choose the right material and style that fit your home’s design and enhance the usability and appeal of your porch.
ProMaster’s craftsmen are the best of the best. Not only are they porch railing ninjas, but they always deliver on-time and family-friendly service. Have you ever been told that a service provider will arrive between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm? We don’t do that at ProMaster. We know your time is valuable, so we set exact appointment times.
Our craftsmen are professional and courteous. They will treat you and your home with respect. Your project will be completed on time and with the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the industry. And, when the work is finished, our craftsman will ensure the site is clean and ready to use.
If you’re ready to meet with a Home Repair Hero, you can schedule an appointment online or contact us by phone, email, or text message.
You don’t need to put up with an old, unsightly, or dangerous porch any longer. ProMaster can add beautiful new railings that will breathe new life into your porch and your home!
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