Ideas for reasonably priced railing that won't block view?
jomarn
18 years ago
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Comments (27)
diggerb2
18 years agojohn_hyatt
18 years agoRelated Discussions
Any suggestions? Porch Railing meets Window
Comments (11)How far is it from the window to that nearest post in front of the window? If it is not too wide a distance, I think the idea of placing a set of steps between the post and the window is your best bet. If the steps will be less than 44", I think you can get away with only having a handrail on one side... the side away from the window. (Check with your local building code to verify the maximum width stair allowable without requiring handrails on both sides.) Then, if the steps are wide enough, place small potted plants along the wall-side of the steps and no one would ever wonder why there is no railing on that side and therefore will not notice that the window would have gotten in the way of a railing....See MoreSelecting stain color of stair handrail before floors?
Comments (15)You can always go to a flooring store to just look at wood samples in various colors and get started there, so you have an idea in mind of what color you are going for. Then it will be up to the flooring guy and the staining guy to get as close to that color as they can to what you have in mind. I started with the flooring first (which wasn't stained as it's vinyl) which gave me a lot to work with as there is a lot of variation in the flooring color, and then I ended up picking out the stain for the kitchen cabinets to blend with the flooring color, and I liked it so much that we used the same stain for the stained woodwork, including the handrail. Don't push your desires aside and then get angry or wait too long and be miserable. That is not the best way to get what you want. Rather, learn to be calm assertive....so they can either explain to you why what you want isn't going to work and it explain it to your satisfaction....or if they can't, insist that you want it done your way. You are footing the bill and you have to live with the choices that are made...they don't. They have other objectives. I remember when dealing with the trades, it was difficult as they each would insist on something but they'd be conflicting. It was because each trade saw it from their perspective and their ability to get their part of the job done in the easiest way. But I had to make sure I got MY way as I had to live with the result...they didn't....See MoreRailing for loft - which style?
Comments (30)You are all so helpful and generous with your suggestions, so thank you! I've definitely come to the right place for help. :-) Amysrq, I think I agree with you that my concern over the glass railing isn't that it isn't safe, but that it wouldn't FEEL safe! I think that the mere knowledge it is glass, and glass is breakable, would make me afraid to have my kids pressing against it. Just gives me the heebie-jeebies thinking about it! And looking up at a fingerprint-covered glass railing would bug me, I already know it. SO, glass is out. Hostagrams (and everyone else with this thought), thank you for point out that the black spindles would be easy to look through, where as with wood I would almost have to look around each spindle. (Does that make sense?) It is this issue more than any other that makes me lean toward the black spindles. I don't want to block the view or the light, and I don't want to have to stand up and look OVER the railing to be able to see anything below or out the windows. Sandyponder, I LOVE your railing! Looks very cool and functional, and doesn't block the view at all. But I showed the picture to DH, and he vetoed it immediately. Not rustic enough, apparently. But thanks for the photos - it looks great! Okay, all of this leads me to the fact that I'm pretty sure that a combo of black balusters and logs is the best compromise for DH and I. The logs in the railing would tie in with the log mantel, which is important to DH. I'm thinking that something like this (which is pretty much what is in my original post) might be the best of all worlds. So did all of your great ideas and input ultimately lead me back to where I started? Well, no matter what we decide, you have all been a huge help in helping me think through this decision. So thank you! Alicia...See MoreDeck railing ideas
Comments (21)Kristin, I would go with the vertical slats and stay away from any grid — hogwire, cattle panels, horse panels or any of the similar products. They are all far too easy to climb. FYI, the grid that you frequently see is not hogwire — that is a misnomer, perpetuated by lazy copy editors. Hog wire panels and cattle panels have openings 6 inches wide and graduated in height from top to bottom, none of which are symmetrical. The more often used utility panels have 4x4 inch square openings and are quite easy to climb. Even 2x4 mesh panels or fencing (known as no-climb, haha) can be climbed — just ask my small pony. Actually, in a pinch I've climbed over such a fence by wedging my toes in. While it is true that a climber will find a way to climb, there is no need to make it easy or inviting. Stick with the vertical....See Morejomarn
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