Our front porch railing is rotting and we'd like to replace it with PVC type railing but don't want it to look shiney

Sandy
by Sandy
and fake. I've looked at a few companies online but it's hard to tell what they really look like. Any recommendations?
  5 answers
  • Looking at things online can be great, but there is nothing like being able to see something with your own eyes and touch it for yourself. Have you toured through the local suppliers and checked things for yourself in person?
  • There are several plastic railing system as well as systems designed to be used with decks. These higher end railing systems are expensive but are designed to look exactly like wood. No rot, no splinters but as with any material will need to be cleaned once and a while to keep it from staining. Go to any of the big box stores and check out their railing systems that they sell. This time of year however, may be a bit harder to get a chance to see all the types that they have. As normally railings are something they sell a lot of in the spring and summer months. But they should have all sorts of samples to show you.
  • Armin Armin on Dec 23, 2011
    I didn't like the look of the big box stores products either. I had the Aluminum Company of NC do mine and I'm well pleased. They will come out and talk to you, bring a sample of what it looks like so you can decide. It's more expensive but to me worth it for the look.
  • Clay B Clay B on Dec 23, 2011
    Try to find a place that sells the TRADEMARK rail by AZEK. This is heavy Fiberglass rail, that has a powdercoated baked on finish(ballasters are same finish). Looks like painted wood, and super strong. I like the way the rails attache to the post, is uses an L-bracket type thing, so on the sides and top of rail, there is no cup to receive the rail to the post, it just butt's up to the post. And it doesn't make creaking noise like big box vinyl rail does. Check it out, it may be hard to find, as it is not cheap. http://www.azek.com/azek-rail/styles/
  • Strock Enterprises, Inc. Strock Enterprises, Inc. on Dec 27, 2011
    Sandy, as a general contractor, I would recommend the Azek deck rail product that Clay mentions. We've installed it many times over the last 12 years and our clients love it. It's low maintenance. The way it's made, it looks painted and not shiny plastic. It holds up well, even on the beach. And, it's fairly easy to install.