Americans spent approximately
$713 million on new
outdoor decks and porches in
1998 alone, topping all other
categories including new kitchens, roofing,
and siding. While there is no way of
knowing how much of that money was
spent on railings, there's no question
that railings add cost and complexity to
a deck project. Pre-engineered railing
systems and pre-assembled modules
may take some of the head-scratching
out of design issues as well as the pricing
of materials and labor.
While wood has long ruled the roost
in deck construction, its shortcomings
are well known. A regular diet of scraping,
sanding, and painting is required to
keep a wooden railing looking spiffy.
Maintenance-free materials and finishes
save everybody work, from the installer
to