Pros And Cons Of Adding Railings To Your Deck
If you're designing a deck for your backyard with a builder, one of the things that you'll need to consider is whether or not you want railings around the structure. If so, you'll have fun deciding on several railing-related features, such as what they'll be made from and what design elements they'll offer. However, you don't necessarily have to always choose to have railings around your deck. Before you make a firm decision, it's a good idea to think of the strengths and weaknesses of railings, as well as discuss your thoughts with your builder. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pro: More Safety
The biggest advantage to having a railing around your deck is that they keep those who are using it safer. Even if the deck is just a foot off the ground, a misstep off the deck could result in a serious injury for someone of any age. This is especially true if the deck is high up, although local building codes typically mandate the use of railings when a deck is a specific number of inches above ground level.
Con: Reduced Visibility
One downfall of using railings around your deck is that they can obstruct your visibility. For example, if you're seated on the deck and wish to watch your children playing in the backyard a few dozen yards away, doing so might be a bit of a challenge because of the railings. Fortunately, you can often get around this drawback by using clear glass railings.
Pro: More Space For People
Although railings don't increase the size of your deck, they do commonly make the structure more suitable for hosting larger crowds of people. You can only fit so many chairs on a deck, but the presence of railings offers many places for people to lean and even perch. This can especially be valuable if you enjoy large summer gatherings in your backyard.
Con: Additional Expense
Any time that you add more materials to a building project, you'll be increasing the cost. If you want your deck to be built on a tight budget, you may wish to ask your builder to give you a quote with railings and a quote without — this will reveal just how much you're spending for the railings, which could compel you to keep the building costs low by going without them. Remember, if you decide to stay away from them, you can always add them at a later date if you wish. For more information, consider contacting experts like Decks & Beyond.
Share