Porch update?
+20
We want to remove the old rickety railing around our porch. Looking for ideas to replace it with something that is NOT railing. Does that make sense? As you can see there's a rather large drop from the porch to the ground so I need something to keep anyone (grandkids in particular) from mistakenly stepping off. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Have you considered screening it in?
You could use steel cables or take a look at this idea, using poultry wire:
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/decks/simple-easy-custom-diy-deck-railings-39302424
Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings
These photos of railing alternatives might help: https://morningchores.com/deck-railing-ideas/
Daphne: maybe these wood-alternatives might work
https://www.familyhandyman.com/decks/railing/no-maintenance-deck-railings/
Could you screen in the whole thing? That would give a little more protection and make it clear not to step off the patio.
What if it was just not all the way vertical like this pic here? Found it here: https://camillestyles.com/design/10-screened-in-porches-were-obsessed-with/
There are LOTS of ideas here:
https://www.pinterest.com/archadeckstl/deck-railing-and-porch-railing-design-ideas/
You could replace it with vinyl so there is no upkeep except to rinse it off. You could replace the rails with new rails and here are other ideas you could also replace it with the wire rails that I am showing photos below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGh-FglhWbA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqUtzOrvd3g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXbFsGPp-tI
I have seen some beautiful plexiglass porches as well as cables.
Here are a few different types
Aluminum
Hollow posts; hollow railing and balusters; usually surface bolted to deck; special assembly system.
Vinyl and plastics
Hollow posts; railing and balusters hollow and usually steel reinforced; 4×4 wood posts sometimes required; special assembly system.
PVC-coated composites
Hollow posts; railings and balusters hollow; 4×4 wood posts required; special assembly system.
Hollow composites
Hollow posts; railings and balusters either solid or hollow; 4×4 wood posts often required; special assembly system.
Solid composites
Solid posts; railings and balusters either solid or hollow; often installed like solid wood.
Whatever you do make sure it passes building codes. Specific heights, products spacing that need to be followed.
You can use wire instead of wooden spindles but you will need rails to make the frame. We recently added boards to our porch and instead of traditionally doing them, we went with pressure treated wood and put them like wooden fencing you see on ranches.
US Guardrail Codes:
36” min. height
Spacing of openings (spindles for example) to not allow passing of a 4” sphere through them.
Must take lateral load (leaning on it or pushing on it) of 200 lbs.
They call what I like "hog panels". You can buy them at Tractor Supply. But it will open up your porch in looks and they are sturdy enough to hold hogs in pens! It can be easily cut with a wire cutter to sizes needed.
For anyone who is not familiar with what hog wire railings are, here are two examples:
Plexiglass panels, either mounted with aluminium, or in between wooden posts, offer a clean, updated look.
Per codes, you need railings of some type if the drop exceeds a certain amount. I like the cable railings. They are strong, don't block the view, and look nice.
Hello there,
How about fencing panels or solid panels or a Railing Awning comes in fabric or could be you could use Artificial Hedging along the front or the back of the fencing. You could wind it in and out of the posts to make it more solid. Best wishes.
What a gorgeous space you have to work with! Paint will go a long way.