If you’re looking for deck railing styles, you already know that your railing plays a key role in the overall look and feel of your outdoor living space. But to curate the perfect perimeter, you need lots of ideas and inspiration that showcase the possibilities. And we’re here to deliver you just that.
Deck railing styles range from sleek modern designs and character-rich contemporary builds to elegant, classic profiles, so you’re bound to find just the right look for your space. Explore these uniquely designed railings — and take note of how they affect the overall aesthetic of each outdoor living space — to discover the right railing to transform your design.
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Get a bird’s eye view of your railing options, from material choices to design details and more, in our Deck Railing Ideas Series. READ THE SERIES
Tips for Finding the Right Railing Style for Your Deck
With so many options for deck railing styles, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve gathered some tips for thinking through your railing choices to design the perfect perimeter for your deck.
Establish a Budget
Deck railing styles will range in price based on factors like material and labor — and upfront cost doesn’t always give you the full picture.
Consider Material & Aesthetics
The materials used in your railing play a big role in the overall aesthetics of your railing design — and your overall outdoor living space.
Find the Right Color(s)
Like material, the color or combination of colors you choose for your railing will affect the overall look and feel of your space.
WHY YOU WON’T FIND WOOD ON THIS LIST
Wood railing requires sanding and staining throughout its lifespan to keep it safe and beautiful, which means mounting costs for you year over year. LEARN MORE
With guidance on how to think through your railing options, you’re ready to explore deck railing styles for inspiration. Each railing features a different combination of materials and colors to evoke a specific aesthetic style. You can choose to either recreate one of these attractive options for your design or put your own spin on it for a unique look.
1.) Contemporary-Style Drink Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Drink Rail in French White Oak® and Black with black aluminum balusters + French White Oak decking from the TimberTech® AZEK® Landmark Collection™
Embrace a contemporary-style design with a high-contrast deck design. Choose light colored composite decking that embraces the interior design trend of a light wood aesthetic, and pair it with black railing for sharp contrast. A Drink Rail made with the same lightly hued boards as your deck surface creates a sleek horizontal line when installed without any post caps. Plus, deck railing styles with a Drink Rail are highly functional, serving as a convenient place to set down your drink.
2.) Modern Drink Rail With Southwestern Flair
Pictured: Impression Rail Express Drink Rail in Weathered Teak® (narrow-width) and Black with black aluminum balusters + Weathered Teak wide-width decking from the TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection®
Blend your modern ideas with the character-rich charm of southwestern design by mixing sunny, light wood tones with metal elements and geometric patterns. Opt for crisp, clean lines along your perimeter with the Impression Rail Express aluminum railing with narrow aluminum balusters. The defined black lines of your metal railing offer textural contrast with the visual softness of light wood tones in your deck surface and décor. For more cohesion between your sun-washed deck and black metal railing, opt for the Drink Rail using a composite deck board the same color as the surface boards.
Embrace a Modern, Mission-Style Look
Have a mission-style home? The crisp, narrow horizontal and vertical lines of the aluminum railing will contrast any Spanish-colonial elements, such as a stucco archway to give your outdoor living space a modern, mission-style aesthetic. Plus, the narrow profile of the railing allows for clear sightlines to your backyard views.
3.) Modern Coastal-Style Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Premier Rail in White with black composite balusters + Coastline® decking from the TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection
Go for a modern coastal style aesthetic for a fresh, inviting deck design. The modern coastal style blends the simple, functional style of modern design with the natural fibers and beachy colors of the coastal style. for a modern coastal railing design, take a bright white composite railing to complement the clean whites of a coastal color scheme and make it modern with black baluster infills for a sharp contrast. In your furniture and décor, use blues, whites, grays, and lots of natural textures like wood tones and fibers like rattan and jute. Be sure to sleek, clean shapes for your deck amenities to maintain that sleek, modern feel.
Illuminate Your Deck Design
Incorporate built-in lighting into your deck design and railing for an inviting, ambient glow.
4.) Industrial-Chic Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Contemporary Top Rail in Classic Black with stainless steel cable rail infill + Weathered Teak wide-width decking from the TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection
Love the multi-dimensional, modern look of an industrial-chic aesthetic? Industrial-style designs typically feature mixed materials such as wood, metal, stone, and other building materials for lots of visual and tactile textural variety. Choose deck railing styles with mixed materials such as the Classic Composite Series Contemporary Top Rail which features a board top rail, composite posts, and several different infill options. For a truly industrial feel, opt for the stainless steel cable rail infill for a metal element to contrast with the soft wood look and feel of the railing’s composite boards and posts — and your wood-toned deck surface.
5.) Sleek Minimalist Railing
Pictured: Impression Rail Express Modern Top Rail in Black with glass panel infills + Ashwood and Espresso decking from the TimberTech PRO Legacy Collection
Looking for deck railing styles with a minimalist feel? Go for a narrow aluminum railing with glass panel infills for a barely-there aesthetic. A minimalist see-through railing is ideal for decks with a view, allowing you unobstructed sightlines whether sitting or standing. Plus, the streamlined design won’t take away from your deck design so you can add more design details — like an attractive two-tone square inlay — without making your space feel too busy.
6.) Chalet-Style Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Contemporary Top Rail in Traditional Walnut with stainless steel cable rail infill + Antique Leather decking from the TimberTech PRO Legacy Collection
The chalet style, sometimes called the modern alpine style, evokes the feeling of a ski lodge in the mountains. The style champions clean, bold lines, natural textures, and warm wood tones. And you don’t have to live in the mountains to create this rustic, inviting style, as it can work for a variety of homes that also emphasize natural materials and textures, such craftsman-style homes. To curate a chalet style railing, opt for the Drink Rail or Contemporary Top Rail, both of which feature a wood-toned board as their top rail. Combine the wood tone with thick black composite posts and a stainless steel cable rail infill for a multi-textured, curated look that perfectly suits a modern alpine style deck design.
7.) Boldly Traditional Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Premier Rail in Black with black composite balusters + American Walnut decking from the TimberTech AZEK Landmark Collection
The traditional style is known for its classic shapes, harmonious design, and richly hued color scheme that touts natural materials and colors. Traditional deck railing styles should evoke a timeless appeal, such as a composite railing with a milled wood-inspired top rail design and simple composite balusters. For a bold design, choose black composite railing and thick (5.5” x 5.5” as opposed to 4” x 4”) posts for a strong, defined perimeter. Pair the dark railing with deeply saturated decking to bring the warm, dark wood tone beloved by the traditional style to your deck design.
8.) Classically Elegant White Curved Railing
Pictured: Classic Composite Series Premier Rail in White with black composite balusters + Coastline, Mahogany, and Dark Hickory decking from the TimberTech AZEK Landmark Collection
Prefer more elegance to traditional deck railing styles? Opt for a crisp, clean white composite railing for your perimeter — and add an elegant, curved design. TimberTech composite railing can be bent into curved designs just like our decking for a sophisticated aesthetic. A gently curving white railing can give your deck design a fairy-tale inspired aesthetic, especially with soft lighting in the posts for inviting warmth. Pair your white railing with medium to deep-toned decking — or opt for a multi-colored deck surface — to make the bright white pop in the design.
Deck Railing Styles: Define Your Own Design
With a broad look at several deck railing styles for different aesthetically themed spaces, you’re ready to start considering your own railing design. Get a look at all your options from top rail choices to infill materials, colors, and more in our comprehensive Railing Guide. For any questions regarding your railing design, feel free to contact our TimberTech experts who are ready to assist you.
Find the Right Railing for You
The beauty of a railing’s many parts? Ample opportunity to customize to your personal style. Browse our Railing Guide for insight and inspiration.
