Building a Home Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

Interior and front porch railing

last year

I would like opinions.

We are selecting railings for our new build. On the back two-story deck over a cement landing, we are doing 42". But we will also have an interior railing over steps to the basement, and a railing on the porch, 42" seems like overkill for those 2 locations, but I am not sure if it is a good idea for safety.

We are doing black metal railings, btw. On the front and inside, we are doing horizontal slats. On the back, we are doing vertical slats with one horizontal slat to "tie" it in with the other railings. I know some people would disagree with mixing the two orientations. But I would be a nervous wreck with horizontal railings on the deck for fear of climbing children.

Attached are pics from inspiration home. Our deck, porch, and staircase will be similar. Also attached is photo of deck railing sample. All railings will be custom built locally.

Featured Answer

Michelle Linden
Original Author

last year

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Your comment is incredibly rude. I am asking for advice on railing height, not your opinion on the design of my inspiration home. I think the home is beautiful and the stone as well. Our stone is similar, and I like it. You do realize that people have different tastes, right? My best friend just built a super modern home. While it isn't my style, I don't tell her that it is "ghastly." Perhaps you need to learn the old "If you can't say something nice" rule.

As far as mixing railings, I prefer the look of the horizontal railings. Yet as a teacher and mother of 4 boys, I am fearful that a child could climb and fall. Yes, I can teach my own grandchildren not to climb. But I can't guarantee every child that comes to my home will not climb, nor can I watch them every second. And we plan on entertaining and hosting lots of extended family gatherings. A child could climb a 42" railing in seconds. I wouldn't forgive myself if a child were to get hurt.

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Comments (17)

elcieg
last year
Very nice.
Michelle Linden thanked elcieg
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Amy Brookshire
last year
I may've missed something. If you are doing vertical slats for the deck for safety, why not the other spaces too? Are they not just as dangerous? I just had my interior stair railing installed and went with vertical after my fabricator cautioned me against horizontal slats and climbing children. We don't have small children but hope to have grandchildren at some point down the line.
Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
@Amy Brookshire Good question. The front railing is pretty much decorative. It is basically on flat ground where a fall would be minimal height. Plus, I don't think children would gather there very often. As for the stairs, the fall would be potentially higher (from upstairs to downstairs). But a fall wouldn't be down to a cement slab. My greatest fear is a child falling from the rear deck. It faces a lake, and would be where guests gather frequently.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
last modified: last year
What do you mean by 42" ?

The stone is really busy.
Jennifer K
last year
If you've got as much happening on the front of your house as your inspiration pic does, I'd try to avoid putting up railings on the front porch at all. As Coco Chanel used to say, "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."

If code requires you to put up railings, I'd examine your façade to see which way most of the lines go. For example, if you've used board and batten on the front of your house, vertical balusters will reinforce that look rather than fighting with it.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Horizontal railings read contemporary and thus look forced when the rest of the house is neo traditional. As others have said, less is more so consider removing a few elements for a more classic forever design.
cpartist
last year
I have to agree with Mark, Jennifer and Hallett. Your inspiration pic is making it hard to have a resting place for our eyes when we look at the elevation.
Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
I don't have a good pic of ours in progress. We did remove the large stone entrance, but kept some other areas of stone.
Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
Here are some closer pictures of the porch. In each photo, there is a piece of wood representing the height of railing, one at 36" height and the other at 42" height.
Caroline Hamilton
last year
I think your home looks much better without the railings in the front. There are too many elements going on as it is.
Jennifer K
last year
Looks like you can skip the railings on the front. If you can, the entire space will feel more welcoming. And hey! You'd save a couple grand to spend on a nice weekend away to recover from house building. ;)
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
If a railing is not required, do not install it and live without it for at least a year. If you find a compelling need for one, install it at that point. Take the money you save and throw a better house warming party.
PRO
Overland Remodeling & Builders
last year
last modified: last year
I would agree with most of the comments here. The front doesn't need to have railings cause already looks great as it is
Amy Brookshire
last year
I'd say 42" looks more like your inspiration photo.
cpartist
last year
Agree. No railing on the front. You're at ground level so it's not needed and will be another distraction.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
I wonder if the railing salesperson needs a new boat?