

The Disadvantages of Vinyl and Composite Railing Kits Even if the product uses real wood, the PVC coating will protect it, allowing it to last longer without the need for the muss and fuss typically required for maintaining real wood products. Composite can resemble wood: Some composites are made to look like wood.Low-quality PVC, on the hand, is something to look out for as it will fail much quicker, defeating the purpose of trying to save money. PVC products also don’t rust or corrode like metal does. Durable: High-quality vinyl and composite products don’t fade, chip, chalk, or discolor easily.Low maintenance: Vinyl and composite don’t need to be maintained at all-only cleaned as needed.The Advantages of Vinyl and Composite Railing Systems Besides the base material, the rest of the attributes of vinyl and composite are very similar. Essentially an umbrella term for any product comprised of different materials, composite railing systems can vary widely between manufacturers, but are commonly coated in PVC. Made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, they’re not painted or coated as the base material is colored.Ĭomposite, on the other hand, is especially appealing if you want the look of wood without the hassle. Vinyl commonly comes in white and is a great option for low maintenance railing. Vinyl and composite railings have a lot to offer homeowners, not the least being their ease of installation, many kits snapping together. Vinyl and Composite Railing Kits for Decks
#CHEAP DECK RAILS INSTALL#
But, regardless of the material you choose, these easy to install deck railings are DIY friendly-and some are literally a snap to work with.
#CHEAP DECK RAILS HOW TO#
Having grown increasingly popular with manufacturers and consumers alike over the years, railing kits come with components either pre-assembled or loose, and a set of straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions on how to install them.Īs for the railing material, your best options are either vinyl, which is well-known for being easy to work with composite, which is very similar to vinyl in terms of both installation and care or metal, which tends to come in a wider variety of styles. As I explained to the young man, when you want a quick and simple installation, your best bet is generally to purchase a railing kit. Luckily, thanks to modern design and materials, railing installation doesn’t have to be complicated. They were out of town for the week celebrating their anniversary, and he wanted to surprise them with brand-new railings when they returned as a gift, but the only time he’d ever worked with railings was in shop class. His parents’ old deck railing was decades old and starting to show its age, wobbling when leaned on and creaking and groaning under pressure. The other day, a young man came to me in the hardware store looking for a little help with a DIY project he’d been planning for a few months.
