We've put together our opinions and experiences on the railing lines we offer, so that you can easily read about how they are more appropriate for certain applications or stylizations.
We hope to highlight the main differences between the various types and styles of railing, so that you can decide which one might be best for you. The information below is not intended as an endorsement of any one product, but to highlight the strengths of each for helping you plan, install, and enjoy your deck.
Aluminum Railing Systems
Durability
9
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
8
View
6
Ease of Configuration and Modification
10
Affordability
7
Pros
- Wide variety of post sizes (2", 3", 4" and 6") for different design options.
- Drink rail adapter makes installing cocktail railing top easier than most other systems
- Crossover post and bracket options are easy to work with and can make large jobs go faster
- Brackets are available for virtually every connection type, for a clean connection
- When using a stair crossover post, included top rail is ADA compliant so no extra graspable handrail is needed
Cons
- Some powder coating options are rougher and make scuffs more visible
- Custom colors and combinations are special order only
- 3/4" wide balusters are wider than some aluminum railing systems' spindles/balusters
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Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
9
Ease of installation
9
Colors and Customization
7
View
7
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
9
Pros
- 1/2" wide balusters make for a better view than other brands' 3/4" balusters
- Fascia-mount post options are available, which are great for ramps
- Drink rail brackets are available for a cocktail railing top
- Panels can be ordered to the nearest foot for less waste
- Fully assembled panels make installation go faster than knockdown kits
- All mounting hardware is concealed inside the rails for a cleaner look
- Multiple post cap options are available for more style choices
- Semi-glossy powder coating doesn't scuff
Cons
- Crossover post assembly takes some getting used to, but are clean when installed correctly
- Through-posts are limited to 3" size, and crossover posts are limited to 2" size
- Thinner extrusion wall can make rails feel cheaper than other brands
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Build Quality and Feel
7
Durability
8
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
8
View
6
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
7
Pros
- Surface mounted posts are available in 3" and 4", and 4" sleeves are available for mounting over a wood post
- Drink rail brackets are available for a cocktail railing top
- All posts feature special shims for helping plumb posts easily
- Top and bottom rails are easy to cut before assembling
- Fixed brackets are available for straight connections and hinged brackets are available for angled connections.
- Multiple post cap options available
- Metal post skirt included with every post
Cons
- Some powder coating options are rougher and make scuffs more visible
- No custom combinations are available
- Panels come as kits, meaning assembly is required.
- Fascia-mount post options are limited to a 4x4 wood post with sleeve, and no special bracketry
- No crossover options are available, so all stairs require a graspable handrail rod
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Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
9
Ease of installation
9
Colors and Customization
7
View
7
Ease of Configuration and Modification
8
Affordability
8
Pros
- Panels come fully assembled, making install time faster than knockdown kits
- Pickets have a slimmer width than a standard baluster, giving a better view
- Rail panels mounts are all hidden inside the internal structure of the rail, no screws are visible
- Multiple top rail options are available for different designs (modern, or classic)
- Brackets are available for installing a drink rail
- Semi-gloss powder coating resists scuffing but isn't reflective
- Cut collars can be added to panels with imperfect cuts
- When using a stair crossover post, top rail is ADA compliant so no extra graspable handrail is needed
Cons
- Top covers/snaps can be hard to take off during installation
- Extrusions use a thinner wall, making it feel slightly less solid than other railings
- Full size panels are more awkward to cut
- Stair crossover posts take more time to figure and cut
- Cuts at angles other than 90 degrees take more work to cut and figure, since no special brackets are available
- Panels are only available in 6' and 8' lengths
- If flexed too much, stair panel balusters may end up rattling
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Build Quality and Feel
9
Durability
9
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
6
View
7
Ease of Configuration and Modification
8
Affordability
8
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Build Quality and Feel
10
Durability
9
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
7
View
6
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
5
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Build Quality and Feel
9
Durability
8
Ease of installation
6
Colors and Customization
6
View
7
Ease of Configuration and Modification
7
Affordability
6
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Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
8
Ease of installation
6
Colors and Customization
6
View
8
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
4
Pros
- Mesh panel is a high-strength low-obstruction infill option
- Compatible with a drink rail configuration
- Brackets are available for virtually every connection type, for a clean connection
Cons
- Cutting mesh panels to size requires a grinder and more time
- Mesh sections may be a climbing hazard for children
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Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
7
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
9
View
9
Ease of Configuration and Modification
7
Affordability
6
Pros
- Even though "no view" is the point with a privacy rail, the variety of infill options make it a preferable privacy option to vinyl fence panels
- Both "screen panels" and solid boards can be used for a breezy panel or a solid panel option
- The channel system Barrette uses allows for deck boards to be used as an infill if desired
- On full height privacy sections, different infill options can be selected for the top and bottom halves
- Can be coordinated with standard Barrette Avalon aluminum panels on stairs
- Regular height rail sections use standard Avalon top rails, so that the infills can easily be configured for either a privacy panel or standard baluster section as desired
Cons
- Privacy sections cannot be used on stair sections
- Using other brands of deck boards as an infill option is limited to double-sided deck boards, since both sides are visible
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Composite Railing Systems
Build Quality and Feel
9
Durability
7
Ease of installation
6
Colors and Customization
6
View
6
Ease of Configuration and Modification
8
Affordability
6
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Build Quality and Feel
5
Durability
6
Ease of installation
5
Colors and Customization
8
View
4
Ease of Configuration and Modification
8
Affordability
7
Pros
- Ordering different configurations is fairly straightforward
- Panels don't require fastening each baluster to rails, making install time faster
- Gaskets are included to hide seams where rails meet the posts
- Easy-wire post cap lights are available from Trex and many other brands
- Drink rail options are available, which can be run over the top of the post or between posts
Cons
- Railing can be squeaky
- Doesn't feel as solid as other composite rail systems
- Drink rail deck boards running between posts will be wider than the post, showing the cut end and gray filler of the deck board.
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Build Quality and Feel
4
Durability
5
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
4
View
4
Ease of Configuration and Modification
7
Affordability
9
Pros
- Rails are predrilled and don't require any fasteners to secure balusters
- Can be used with wood 4x4s or metal structural posts (4x4 size)
Cons
- Vinyl composite may crack under impact under cold temperatures
- Only available with white rails abd round black spindles
- Stair rail will require ADA handrail
- Posts are limited to 4x4 sleeves
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Vertical and Horizontal Cable Railing Systems
Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
8
Ease of installation
6
Colors and Customization
7
View
9
Ease of Configuration and Modification
6
Affordability
5
Pros
- Continuous top rail involves less cutting than a standard panel system
- RailFX can be installed with posts spaced at 55", instead of a support every 48" like most cable systems
- Cable fittings fit inside end posts, and are tightened with an allen wrench
- Matching narrow stair top rail integrates into the top of the post easily and satisfies graspable handrail requirements
- Posts and top rails are designed to be a smooth, sleek top rail for a more modern cable railing look
- All-metal construction and integrated fittings minimizes the need for periodic cable tightening
- Fascia mount brackets are clean-looking and robust
- There is a unique profile for a drink rail top, which hides the screws fastening the deck board, and individual and unsightly brackets are not required
Cons
- Some stair and angle joints and connections can be difficult to cut and fasten
- Cables on the longer runs may need to be periodically tightened
- Posts only available in 2-3/8" size.
- Horizontal cables can be a climbing hazard for children
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Build Quality and Feel
9
Durability
9
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
6
View
8
Ease of Configuration and Modification
7
Affordability
5
Pros
- Keylink's classic rail and post style fits well with traditional home styles, where a metal railing look is ideal, but the visibility of a cable infill is desired
- Drink rail is available as a top rail option
- Brackets are easy to install, with easy-access screw locations and channeled posts that help keep brackets centered
Cons
- Keylink is in the mid-to-high range for horizontal cable systems
- Keylink's top rail style fits more with classic metal rails, and may not fit homes that have a more contemporary style
- Brackets for rails have a large external plate with visible screws
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Build Quality and Feel
9
Durability
9
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
8
View
9
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
7
Pros
- Panel spacers are only 1/2" and match the color of the cables for less view obstruction
- Keylink's classic rail and post style fits well with traditional home styles, where a metal railing look is ideal, but the visibility of a cable infill is desired
- Brackets are easy to install, with easy-access screw locations and channeled posts that help keep brackets centered
- Posts are available in multiple sizes
Cons
- Keylink's top rail style fits more with classic metal rails, and may not fit homes that have a more contemporary style
- Brackets for rails have a large external plate with visible screws
- Drink rail option requires customization and is more difficult to configure
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Build Quality and Feel
10
Durability
9
Ease of installation
8
Colors and Customization
7
View
7
Ease of Configuration and Modification
9
Affordability
5
Pros
- Vertical cables have the advantage of cable with less work to tighten and no climbing hazard for children
- Drink rail adapter makes installing cocktail railing top easier than most other systems
- Wide variety of post sizes (2", 3", 4" and 6") for different design options.
- Brackets are available for virtually every connection type, for a clean connection
- Crossover post and bracket options are easy to work with and can make large jobs go faster
- Panels come fully assembled
- Crossover post and bracket options are available for continuous top rail options
- When using a stair crossover post, included top rail is ADA compliant so no extra graspable handrail is needed
Cons
- Some powder coating options are rougher and make scuffs more visible
- Custom colors are special order only
- 3/4" stabilizing rods replace every 4th cable, which does take away from the view more than horizontal cable systems
- Stair panels only available in 6' length
- Fascia-mount post option is custom order and is not as attractive as other options
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Glass Railing Systems
Build Quality and Feel
10
Durability
8
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
6
View
10
Ease of Configuration and Modification
6
Affordability
4
Pros
- Frameless glass means your view is unobstructed
- No posts or top rails are required, meaning there is virtually no cutting required
- All stainless steel metal parts means everything is compatible with oceanside projects
- Lighting system uses easy-connect plugs for faster wiring
- Can be installed with lights to illuminate the glass panel
- Color-changing lights can be configured to your style or theme via a remote or the app
Cons
- Figuring glass to fit your project takes more planning, and may require building your deck to work with preset glass sizes
- Railing on stairs either needs custom glass or other brand of railing
- Leveling and aligning glass may take more work if not using glass connectors
- Installing wiring for lights adds to install time
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Build Quality and Feel
7
Durability
8
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
6
View
9
Ease of Configuration and Modification
6
Affordability
6
Pros
- Full glass panels provide the best view compared to aluminum or composite baluster panels
- 1/4" glass for panels is easy to handle
- Glass can be inserted after all metal frame parts are installed, making installation easier
- Top and bottom rails are easy to cut before assembling
Cons
- Glass panels cannot be used on stairs. Use standard Impressions Express baluster panels for coordinating stair rail panels
- Glass panels need to be custom ordered to size
- Top rail options are limited to Classic and Modern top snap
- Only 3" post size available
- Still requires aluminum posts and top/bottom rails
- If pets and children are around, glass may require cleaning more often
- No drink rail option is available for top rail
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Build Quality and Feel
8
Durability
8
Ease of installation
7
Colors and Customization
5
View
9
Ease of Configuration and Modification
6
Affordability
6
Pros
- Full glass panels provide the best view compared to aluminum or composite panels
- 1/4" glass for panels is easy to handle
- Crossover post and bracket options are easy to work with and can make large jobs go faster
- When using a stair crossover post, top rail is ADA compliant so no extra graspable handrail rod is needed
- Top and bottom rails are easy to cut before assembling
Cons
- Glass panels cannot be used on stairs. Using Signature mesh, rod, or baluster panels is recommended for coordinating style
- Glass panels need to be custom ordered to size
- No fascia mount option for posts
- Top rail options are limited to the standard top
- Only 2.5" post size available
- Still requires aluminum posts and top/bottom rails
- If pets and children are around, glass may require cleaning more often
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