6 Deck Railing Ideas and Designs

6 Deck Railing Ideas and Designs

by — Andra DelMonico
Published on July 26, 2021
Updated on March 25, 2025

Adding a deck to the backside of your house can increase the enjoyment of your property and add value to your home. Whether it is small or large, having a railing can give it a finished look. It can also increase its safety by reducing the risk of someone falling off of the edge.

Choosing the right railing can make or break the finished deck design, though. So you want something that is strong and durable but won’t completely take away from your enjoyment of the view.

These deck railing ideas will help you figure out the perfect look for your deck that also fits within your budget.

1. Cable Railing

Cable railings use a series of cables to create a wall. The cables are typically placed several inches apart, but you can arrange them as close or as far apart as you want. A more densely packed cable system will be safer if you have children or pets using your deck.

Elevated back porch with modern hog wire railing and wide concrete stairs. — Source: @ae.expressiondesign via Instagram

Dark house exterior with front steps featuring cable wire railing and light wood handrails. — Source: @theultimatedeckshop via Instagram

Long deck with modern cable railing and wood-look composite decking overlooking a wooded backyard.

Wood deck with cable railing and wicker furniture overlooking a lush green landscape under a clear blue sky. — Source: @bezdanrailings via Instagram

If the railing is purely decorative, you could place the cables further apart. There should be a top rail on the top of your cable deck railing. It could be made from wood or vinyl. This gives you a place to lean on, place a drink, or just clearly define where the cables end.

The key to making this type of railing look good is to mount the hog wire in a solid frame. This covers the wire’s edge and gives it the necessary support to stay secure.

2. Metal

Using metal for your deck railing will give it a strong and durable feature. Wrought iron is incredibly heavy but also durable and strong. It’s one of the most expensive materials to use for your railing. It also looks best when it’s the only material used for your metal deck railing.

Low platform deck with black metal railing and wood-look boards next to a concrete patio. — Source: @backyard_timber via Instagram

Raised backyard deck with black metal railing and outdoor dining set, featuring open space and lattice panels underneath. — Source: @cascade_metal_design via Instagram

Two-level backyard deck with black metal stair railings, composite steps, and a plastic-covered lower section. — Source: @srtrailing via Instagram

If you want to use a modern material for your metal railing, then consider a stainless steel cable deck railing. A cable rail system gives you the look of metal without being too bulky. The metal cables are strung through the posts in horizontal rows and pulled taught.

3. Glass Deck Railing

Modern deck railings embrace the idea of minimalism. The railing should be secure and protective but also blend in. This makes tempered glass railings popular. These are large glass panels that get secured on all sides to stand vertically next to each other.

Rooftop deck with glass railing offering a panoramic view of a forested landscape.

Backyard deck with black-framed glass railing and covered grill, surrounded by wood fencing.

Sometimes, there will be a top rail across the top to give the glass support and a place to rest your drink or hand. Glass deck railings are expensive. They also require consistent cleaning, or your glass won’t look crystal clear. A cable railing is a great alternative if the glass is out of your budget. The cables are minimalist, more affordable, and easier to maintain.

4. Two Tone

Elevate your deck design by making it two colors. Use wood, vinyl, or composite for the posts and top rail. Then you can have aluminum deck balusters between the posts. This railing design elevates the look of your deck because it gives it the look of a custom deck.

Two-tone wooden deck railing with gray balusters and natural wood posts, set in a cozy backyard with fencing and greenery. — Source: @mdrnhandyman via Instagram

What’s nice about this approach is that you could install deck lighting in a hollow vinyl top rail without committing to a full vinyl railing. The light would point downward, creating accent lighting and highlighting the edge of the deck.

5. Wood and Metal Deck Railing

Combining wood and metal in deck railing offers a striking blend of natural warmth and modern industrial flair. This design approach allows for creative flexibility, enabling homeowners to mix the rustic appeal of wood with the sleek, durable nature of metal.

Wooden deck with vertical metal balusters and rich wood framing, surrounded by tall pine trees and forest views. — Source: @elwingworks via Instagram

Small front porch with light wood decking and horizontal cable railing, leading to a ramp and black metal gate. — Source: @byron.fence.co via Instagram

Large elevated deck with natural wood railing and screened-in porch, built off a dark-sided home with a landscaped yard. — Source: @designerspacesinc via Instagram

Warm wood deck with curved black metal balusters, red umbrellas, and potted flowers surrounding a covered hot tub. — Source: @christascheffer via Instagram

The contrast between these materials can create a visually compelling and contemporary look that enhances the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. This combination is not only stylish but also ensures a sturdy and long-lasting railing structure, providing both safety and elegance.

5. White

A crisp white deck railing will help your deck to feel light and bright. The white color will reflect the light and help your deck area to feel fresh. You could have a wood deck that you paint white for a white deck. This will require upkeep and repeated painting.

Tiered wood deck with white railing and wraparound staircase, surrounded by fall foliage in a forested backyard. — Source: @burkeandburkebuilders via Instagram

Multi-level wooden deck with pale wood boards and white railing, attached to a gray house with steps leading up. — Source: @kairoshomeimprovement via Instagram

Backyard deck with white railing, black grill, outdoor seating, and scenic view of lush fields and trees. — Source: @teresanelson_66 via Instagram

Brown composite deck with white and black railing, pergola overhead, and wicker dining set under a large patio umbrella. — Source: @greenfutureconstruction via Instagram

Traditional front porch with white vertical railing, cozy seating, and fall decorations under a tree with golden leaves. — Source: @butterfly9882 via Instagram

Raised deck with long white stair railing and support beams, attached to a gray house with sliding glass doors. — Source: @voyagersidingcompany via Instagram

A lower maintenance option is to use a vinyl railing or a composite deck. The material’s color is white, so you don’t have to worry about painting it. Seasonal or yearly cleaning will remove any dirt or mildew buildup and keep it looking fresh.

6. Wood

The traditional deck material is wood. If you already have a wood deck, then it’s natural to just use wood for the railing. With a wooden deck, you can have a DIY deck. The simple wood railing uses posts, balusters, and a top rail. Use thicker pieces for the posts and thinner pieces for the pickets. The top rail should be flat so that it’s comfortable to lean on.

Classic front porch with natural wood railing and steps, matching the siding of a small beige home. — Source: @guyfridays via Instagram

Backyard deck with neutral-tone railing and lattice skirting, attached to a gray house with a tidy lawn. — Source: @greendalerailing via Instagram

Cozy light wood deck with matching slatted railing and pergola, surrounded by white stones and greenery. — Source: @jessica.lyn.smith via Instagram

Two-story home with modern wood front porch and pergola, featuring horizontal slat railing design. — Source: @wolfhoundconstruction via Instagram

You could make the wood railing extra-wide, and then people can use it to set their drinks on. You could leave your wood deck railing natural with a simple treatment to protect the wood. Or you can dress it up by painting it. Try painting everything or doing the two-tone look with one color for the posts and rail and another for pickets.

What can I use instead of deck railing?

Instead of building a railing on your deck, you could have a row of thick bushes. Boxwoods, evergreen holly, and inkberry are all dense bushes that can grow in the ground or containers to create a natural barrier. If you want to add privacy with your railing, mount a lattice that a vine plant can grow on. A stamped metal privacy screen can also work.

What is the most inexpensive deck railing?

The cheapest material to use for your deck railing is pressure-treated lumber. The wood is found at any local home improvement store. You can buy it yourself and do the labor, saving you big on the labor. An affordable alternative material is vinyl. It’s low cost for installation and has low maintenance costs.

How high can a deck be without railings?

Your deck can be up to 30 inches tall before you are required to have a railing. However, this is an average measurement, so be sure to check your local building codes before building your deck. A Deck that is 30 inches tall is just over two feet, anything taller, and someone could get seriously injured if they fall off the edge.