SmootSmack
11-19-2012, 01:53 PM
From my experience they also don't have the most knowledgeable to help you.
It maybe worth your wild to have a "deck" company come out and give you a estimate.
What type of steps will this railing be installed on? Cement, wood, etc..
When I moved into my current home they had a DIY railing coming up to my front door on cement steps, it was a metal railing. Just an awful job; first thing I tore out.
Also, didn't you make a home improvements thread??? Oh geez, this would have probably fit in there.
Cement
I did but it didn't quite grow the way I thought it might (guess no one else is working on home improvements), so i just started a fresh one for this topic
mredskins
11-19-2012, 02:34 PM
Cement
I did but it didn't quite grow the way I thought it might (guess no one else is working on home improvements), so i just started a fresh one for this topic
I am just giving you a hard time.
If cement, then you are going to have to anchor it to the cement. So basically wood and PVC would be kind of out (I am guessing). IF yo uare planning on staying I say Iron or Aluminum.
I guess you can do wood on cement. I think a metal railing would look nicer personally.
How To Mount Wood Posts to Concrete Steps | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_6305045_mount-wood-posts-concrete-steps.html)
SmootSmack
11-19-2012, 02:44 PM
Honestly, I'd been leaning toward aluminum but had a couple of friends suggest PVC. Was trying to find a reason why
Chico23231
11-19-2012, 02:50 PM
Honestly, I'd been leaning toward aluminum but had a couple of friends suggest PVC. Was trying to find a reason why
cheaper, easier to work with for starters
firstdown
11-20-2012, 10:46 AM
PVC will out last your home but its just not something I'd put on the front of my house. The key to a good job is going big on anchoring whatever you pick. Most people hate to anchore stuff concrete but if done right its beter then anchoring into wood.
mlmdub130
11-21-2012, 08:01 AM
Honestly, I'd been leaning toward aluminum but had a couple of friends suggest PVC. Was trying to find a reason why
because it will last forever. despite what others here are saying you can get some pretty kick ass pvc/trex/composite railing. It comes in so many colors and textures and styles you can have it look any way you want. I would higly recomned by passing home depot and going to your local lumber yard, perferably one with a show room. talk to someone there with actual knowledge, not a 63 year old retired school teacher, like you would find at home depot. i've been in construction for 15 years now and i wouldn't put much of anything on the outside of my house that wasn't some form of compostie material.
and remember just because anything says it is maintainance free does not mean thats the case. everything needs a little tlc every now and then, it's just a matter of how much.
FRPLG
11-21-2012, 09:55 AM
If you're handy at the wood and aluminum setup is pretty doable. In fact the hardest part will be the mounting of the rail in a secure fashion.