We have stained hickory, installed over 15 years ago, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I love these floors, they’ve stood up to three active dogs, visiting grandchildren and active homeowners. I’m posting photos, yet IRL, the darkest one is how they look normally, the two lighter shots are due to the flash. IRL the floors appear to be darker than in the photos. They are Mannington, and the stain color was Nutmeg. Hickory is very high on the hardness rating, so there are only a few minute scratches, even after all our activity. My son installed Brazilian cherry in his house and was distressed at how easily it shows scratching from their dog.

@k9arlene, Thanks. Yes, birds would make a mess. It would be pain to get a ladder to clean the outside of the railing. Luckily, it is only one story up. Industrial is not my favourite look. Thanks for letting me know you think the glass matches the look of my house more. @tibbrix, Thanks for clarifying the view with cable railings. Surely, there is somewhere near me that someone has used them that I can see. As per providing a wind breaker, that does sound nice, but in practice I am not sure how often we would be out there on windy days anyway. I too am concerned about cleaning. Carol

Ontariomom, I wonder with the set up that Ice has if that still might work for you because the panels are not solid up to the railing. I think the opening above the frosted glass makes it much less a barrier than frosted glass all the way up. I don't think it would appear to block the house like other, more solid choices would. And it would give you a bit of privacy on that deck, plus solve the cleaning issues. You could explore the code for how much space above the glass to the railing you could have.

Lindsey, Any specific color suggestions? I did not mention that am 18 hours away from the house and will be unable to be there in person to make a match. I need to pick a color now for the painter. Everdebz, I just want aa good color that shows the least amount of dirt. Flo Mangan, Yes, sand, but the dining room is in the center of the house and connects to all the other rooms. Very high general traffic. Wish I could ask renters to take off their shoes, but cannot.