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Polls Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

Front porch railing or no railing?

10 days ago

The porch height is apprx 6inches from the ground so the front railing is not technically required.
We are in the middle of updating the exterior siding aswell as the front porch. The plan is to replace the porch posts with something more squared and beefier and to update the spindle railings (if we keep the railing) to more of a straight look.
We took off the railing to better visualize these changes and I was surprised that i didn’t LOVE the no-railing look as much as i thought I would.

The view from the porch looking outward is extra amazing without the railing, but my gut reaction to the look of the house from the road was that maybe the cottage style of the home called for a railing on the porch and that taking the railing away takes away the cottage -style charm.

I’d love to hear thoughts and impressions!

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Comments (10)

arcy_gw
9 days ago
No railing is a more modern look...but other than that it's 6 of one half dozen of another.......
Kendrah
9 days ago
I like the more modern look without the railing - you have a lot going on in the front of your house and no railing is a lot less cluttered looking, however, it leaves the right hand single door entrance looking absolutely lost, disconnected, and like you have a duplex home each with its own entrance and own style. So, if you go without the railing, then how do you change that other entryway to look less fussy and more matched? If you like the cottage look and stay with the railing, this solves the problem.
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Thank you Saypoint. Oh I like those brackets much better than my white ones and prefer without the wall plate. I like your newel too. Have you ever had a shirt (darn hoodie or comfy sweater pockets) get caught up on the rail? It might just be a me issue with my kitchen cabinet knobs and my short height! I'm wondering now why we have the railing going into wall plates. Do you think it has anything to do with extra support because my railing is so long? Actually the bottom of rail is directly into the wall. This one looks a little thicker than mine. If I'm going to keep the same spindles with the square I'm assuming I should repeat the square part in the newel. Saypoint I really like your newel paired with those spindles. I think I prefer that over the blockiness (is that a word?) of what I have going on currently.
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S J
9 days ago
No railing.
palimpsest
9 days ago
No railing.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
9 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago
No railing

It's unfortunate the style of your home doesn't fit the environment in which it's located. It's like if someone wore a sports coat to a square dance.

I'd limewash the brick.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
9 days ago
I think your home is very nice, and not out of place at all. What a site!!!

What are you doing with the siding?
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
9 days ago
Your house is very, very busy. Therefore, no railing.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
9 days ago
No railing. I think it’s a cleaner look. I wouldn’t really call your house cottage style, although it has some elements. It’s a big, beautiful home in a gorgeous setting- lucky you!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 days ago
last modified: 9 days ago
I had a friend who broke her leg in 2 places falling of a low porche in to a bunch of evergreens she stepped back to avoid someone . IMO if it is raised off the ground more than 6" it needs a railing to avoid a lawsuit. How high is the porch off the ground.The front of your home is super busy so the railing really simple and whay two doors for entry both confusing for anyone visiting which one is the actual entry for guests? IMO all thtrim andsiding one color to simplify this very busy exterior Leave the brick. Too many gables for but not an issue now. I love this look with brick and more color in the landscping .
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
9 days ago
The first sentence of her dilemma states that the porch is 6" higher than the ground.

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