Deck Railing Materials: Mix It Up for a Unique Look

January 15, 2021

Mixing deck railing materials gives you plenty of options to create a custom look for your deck’s perimeter. With TimberTech® Railing, many railing components are compatible with each other, giving you countless combinations.

Before you create your unique look with different deck railing materials, it’s important to first understand:

✓ What a deck railing system is

✓ What your railing material options are

✓ How to mix and match different deck railing materials

WANT TO EXPLORE ALL YOUR OPTIONS FOR RAILING?
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What Is a Railing System?

Your deck railing system is more than just a handrail; all railing systems are made of several different components. With certain TimberTech railing systems, you can customize nearly all of these components in terms of color and which deck railing materials you select.

The top rail is the uppermost piece of rail that connects to the top of the infill.

The bottom rail is the piece that runs along bottom beneath the infill.

The infill is what fits between the top and bottom rail, filling the inside of the rail. It can be made of glass, composite or metal balusters, or CableRail.

The skirt is a covering that surrounds the bottom of the post.

The post is a vertical piece that sits in between the infill and connects the top and bottom rails.

The cap is the piece that sits on top of the post. It can sometimes include lighting.

How to Mix & Match Different Deck Railing Materials

Mixing and matching your deck railing materials gives you the opportunity to fully express your design preferences and create a custom look that’s all your own.

We offer six railing system options that let you mix-and-match materials: The railings of the Classic Composite Series and Impression Rail Express®.

As you conceptualize your ideal railing system, you will follow these steps:

• Choose your primary railing material.
• Choose your top rail profile, where applicable.
• Choose your infill.
• Choose your post sleeves and cap.

Finally, an optional step you can take to truly set your railing apart from the rest:

• Choose your outdoor lighting.

Step 1: Choose Your Primary Rail Material

Your Very First Step In Your Railing Journey

Choosing your key railing components.

Why? Because your preferred primary railing material determines which infills, post sleeves, and post cap options are available to you.

Choices for Deck Railing Materials: Key Railing Components

The TimberTech railing portfolio is divided between the two types of materials: aluminum and composite railing. Remember: This doesn’t mean that every component in your rail system will necessarily be made of aluminum or composite — it will depend on the railing system you choose. You can mix and match deck railing materials within certain railing systems.

While aluminum and composite are the two main materials in our portfolio, your final railing system can potentially contain elements of both — as well as unique infill options such as cable and glass.

PREFER TO THINK IN COLOR?
Check out our railing options sorted by hue. Choose from black, brown/bronze, and white color families.

Step 2: Choose Your Top Rail Profile

Within the two main railing categories of aluminum and composite railing, there are several top rail profile options. When choosing a top rail, you’ll want to think about:

• The preferred material.
• The overall aesthetic look and feel of your outdoor living space.

Traditional

Traditional railing styles typically have the look of milled wood, with elegantly sculpted details befitting many different styles of homes.

The Classic Composite Series gives you beautifully crafted top rail designs and is a versatile option because of its universal bottom rail that makes customization, ordering, and installation easier.

Classic Composite Series: Traditional Railing

For a sleek look with no lack of elegance, consider RadianceRail Express®.

Modern

Modern railings embrace simple, defined shapes that suit mid-century modern and contemporary-style homes.

Classic Composite Series: Contemporary Railing

Minimalist

Looking for a minimalist approach to railing? Our aluminum railing options offer a sleek look and narrow lines that keep your view unobstructed.

Impression Rail Express® offers a pre-assembled aluminum panel, where the top and bottom rails have pre-drilled holes for the balusters which makes for an easier installation.

Aluminum Railing Options

Step 3: Choose Your Infill

The infill you choose contributes to your railing’s style and how well your railing integrates with your natural surroundings. Cable rail and glass, for instance, offer greater visibility than traditional balusters.

Keep in mind that not every infill option is compatible with every rail choice.

Infill Materials

Step 4: Choose Your Posts & Caps

Your posts and caps can either match the material and color of your top and bottom rails or contrast them. Remember that not all top and bottom rails are compatible with contrasting post materials.

Step 5: Consider Rail Lighting

Add deck lighting elements to your posts, caps, and/or under-rail for inviting ambiance and enhanced visibility.

Step 6: Get Deck Railing Inspiration

Whether your style is more traditional, contemporary, or something in between, mixing deck railing materials will give you the look you want. Find your inspiration from these combinations.

Traditional

Preferring symmetry and modest ornamentation, the traditionalist will lean toward a railing that complements their deck boards and home while offering a touch of elegance.

A Tried and True Traditional Look

Classic Composite Series with RadianceRail top rail option in White with contrasting black square aluminum balusters offers a clean, crisp look that pairs beautifully with any TimberTech deck board.

Finish the look with composite posts in white to match the rails and post cap lights for inviting ambiance.

Modern

Characterized by sleek lines, crisp angles, and minimal ornamentation, a modern-style railing will be one that embraces simple shapes and revealing sightlines.

A Stylish Contemporary Look

A Drink Rail with Traditional Walnut coupled with a Cable Rail infill creates a chic, transparent railing and particularly complements the English Walnut deck boards from the TimberTech AZEK® Vintage Collection.

For a final touch, composite posts with over-the-post capping emphasize straight lines and right angles while accent lights add gentle warmth.

Minimalist

Minimalism champions the bare essentials of design with simple elements, clean lines, and little to no ornamentation.

A Sophisticated Minimalist Look

Impression Rail Express railing in Black with black aluminum balusters offers functional elegance while making the view the star of the show.

Finish your minimalist railing with Classic Composite Series contrasting composite posts with post cap lights to create a gentle distinction from the industrial metal railing.

Step 7: Start Designing

Design your customized railing by following these steps on our TimberTech railing portfolio page:

• Filter on the left-hand side for your preferred top rail material:

  1. Aluminum, or
  2. Composite

• Choose the top rail or top rail series you want to explore (for example, Reserve Rail™, or Classic Composite Series).

• Use the Railing Configurator tool at the bottom of the page to mix and match compatible deck railing materials.

Example: Rail Configurator for RadianceRail Express

*You can change the colors of the overall rail system in the Railing Configurator. For Step 2, just first select your top rail color.

Now that you’re brimming with inspiration and railing knowledge, explore the Outdoor Living Catalog to expertly mix and match your deck railing materials.

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