Our outdoor spaces mean a lot to us, and many take constructive steps to ensure that gardens communicate our personal tastes.

Suppose you've already overindulged in Rattan furniture or other luxuries and gotten your wood decking looking spotless, but you're still thinking that something is missing. In that case, you should consider using a decking balustrade.

Decking balustrades are integral for both safety and privacy while allowing you to break up a garden that has a monotonous feel to it. One of the best things about deck railing is that you can find deck railing ideas that suit your unique style and personality.

To do this, you'll need to understand the different deck railing designs available so you can put your unique stamp on your garden.

This article will discuss seven creative deck railing ideas with a guide to what balustrades are and why you need them.

What are deck railings?

Deck railings, or balustrades, refer to a continuous row of columns that are then topped by a rail. You might see these lining your stairs or on the perimeter of your outdoor decking.

These deck railings add a unique flair to your decking by allowing you to create exciting designs and patterns and provide a great deal of privacy and safety, especially if you have an elevated deck!

Balusters are verticle supports known as moulded shafts or squares. They're present in many architectural features but are most commonly seen in furniture design. These are sometimes known as spindles and can be made from various materials, including wood, glass, metal, ceramic, and stone.

You'll often see D.I.Yers use balustrades to ensure people don't fall over the edge of stairs or a balcony. So, if you've ever run your hands down a bannister or leant over a balcony to spy on your neighbours, then you've come across a balustrade!

Why do you need a balustrade deck railing?

Aside from aesthetic reasons, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider using a balustrade to accompany things like your wooden deck. Firstly, a deck railing becomes necessary if you're the owner of raised wooden or composite decking.

These create an essential boundary between the deck and the ground below, stopping children or unlucky adults from falling over the side and earning themselves a nasty industry.

While a simple cable railing might provide a visual indication of danger and discourage children and adults from venturing over the edge of a deck, animals and pets aren't so lucky. Having sturdy deck railing provides a more substantial barrier and prohibits pets or people from falling off a deck, making your outdoor space safer for all!

The second reason you need a balustrade to accompany your deck is privacy. We all know the feeling of not being able to fully relax on your deck because it feels as if our neighbours can see every inch of your garden through their windows or in their gardens.

You deserve to feel safe and comfortable on your property, and thanks to deck railings, you can! Some deck railings play slight visual tricks by distorting the visuals through your balustrade.

That means your neighbours won't be able to fully see what you're doing on your deck, meaning you can sunbathe or read a book in peace.

You can choose opaque glass railing designs to obscure visuals into your deck or use geometric design ideas to distort your neighbour's views.

Of course, we can't forget about the visual interest of deck railing. Creating a beautiful deck railing is a great way to tie your garden into the rest of your home. Sometimes, garden furniture doesn't do enough to bridge the design gap between your interior design choices and your landscaping.

So, choosing an excellent deck railing design is a good way to communicate your personal aesthetic to the rest of your community, showing off your tastes and providing your home with an exterior that matches its personality.

Seven deck railing design ideas

Now that you know what a balustrade is and why you should use one in your home let's go through seven deck railing design ideas that you can use to bring your outdoor space to life!

1. Traditional balustrade

A traditional style balustrade is popular due to its simplicity and the ability to customise this option to suit your unique taste. These wood railings are made up of a square-edged rail with verticle spindles.

These are primarily positioned at equal widths apart and can be painted with various colours. One of the key benefits of this decking option is that it provides adequate safety for elevated decks while allowing natural light and plants to go through the gaps in the spindles. Usually, a traditional balustrade is made of timber.

2. Try geometric or Chippendale railing with wooden panels

Geometric patterns are a great way to introduce your personal taste to your garden while obscuring your neighbour's view onto your decking. Geometric railings, also known as Chippendale railings, refer to geometric lines formed within a rectangular shape.

Usually, this will be made of wooden panels coupled with metal rods. This provides high protection for elevated decks while creating a more dynamic deck design.

If you're worried about this standing out from the rest of your gardens, you can encourage your trailing plants to use this balustrade as growing posts. This will provide a more natural look and ensure your rail integrates perfectly with the rest of your garden.

3. Use multiple colours

If you're tired of dark tones in your wood railings, or you're starting to see the effects of a pressure-treated balustrade, then why not add a contemporary touch and play around with colour?

If you're using a timber balustrade, then you can easily liven up your railing with a lick of paint. Using multiple colours can help you transform your balusters from a two-dimensional wood piece into a dynamic and fun display that perfectly encapsulates your perfect style!

4. Choose a modern twist with glass railings.

Glass railings are all the rage as they provide users with an unobstructed view of their garden and provide a contemporary-style home with a more modern twist. These balustrades consist of wide glass panels and a top railing.

This is perfect for anyone with a balcony who requires a protective barrier between their deck and the ground level. Using a glass railing is also a good option as this gives users the option to use frosted or different coloured glass.

This adds another layer of privacy to your garden, making it the ideal railing choice for anyone wanting to spoil their nosy neighbour's fun!

5. Combine wood and glass

Using a mixed materials approach to your balustrade may be the best option if you're looking to put your personal stamp on a contemporary style.

Having timber as a frame for a glass balustrade is excellent for those looking for comprehensive protection with the ability to customise the colour of their handrails.

Using large panes of glass in between wooden posts means that no children or pets can get through your balustrade, meaning this is one of the safest options!

6. Choose an ornate balustrade

Living in a home with lots of history can come with many benefits, but in contrast to a modern home, it can be a lot more difficult to find garden fixtures that suit the property's age and personality.

Finding options that offer a privacy screen while completing your outdoor space can be even more difficult, so finding great deck railing ideas can be challenging.

One of the best ways to combat this is to use ornate balusters instead of glass panels or a wood railing. Ornate balustrades consist of iron railings manipulated to form a decorative shape.

These can be great deck railings for your patio, outside deck or balcony in any gothic-style home.

One of the best things about metal railing ideas is that they offer a high level of privacy by almost completely obscuring your neighbour's view into your patio or balcony.

7. Use horizontal wood railing slats

Who said your balustrade had to consist of verticle timber slats? One of the best things about deck balustrades is that you can customise the style however you desire.

If you want to create interesting shadows with your balustrade, you can opt for a horizontal deck railing design. This gives your deck a much more solid look, providing comprehensive protection for elevated decks.

Horiztonal decks also offer much more privacy for gardens, making this the ideal choice for anyone looking for an escape in their back garden.

Summary

Starting your balustrade and decking project can be daunting, but at Trade Warehouse, we're here to provide you with the tools you need to embark on your project. From Anchors and Fixings to the decking screws you'll need to secure a great quality composite or timber deck, we've got you covered.

We can also provide you with the tools and PPE you need to install your balustrade, no matter your design choice. Why not shop with us today to benefit from our nationwide shipping, or check out our blog for more insider DIY tips and tricks?

FAQs

What can I use instead of a wood deck railing?

Suppose you're not on board with wood railing ideas, and you're looking for a lower maintenance option. In that case, you can consider more durable alternatives like stainless steel cables, metal tubing and even composite decking railings. 

Composite decking railings refer to a material that is an interesting combination of plastic and wood fibres.

These offer D.I.Yers a stronger hold for longer and will mean your balustrade will withstand more adverse weather!

What is the most popular deck railing?

Typically, the most popular and common deck railing that you'll see includes wood balusters with a simple handrail top. This is a timeless option that tends to go with more home styles.

Do deck balusters go inside or outside?

Usually, deck balusters go outside as the material used tends to be treated to withstand wet weather, thus making it more resistant to rot. However, balustrades can go inside and outside the home, bringing your decking or staircase to life.