Whether you’re after safety, utility, or pure aesthetics, this helpful guide and these inspirational photos will provide you the knowledge-based confidence to help you choose the best railing for your dock.
For deck owners, railings offer beauty, safety, and convenience. If you have a waterfront dock, you might also want to think about installing railings for the same reasons. The railings that work for a deck could be just right for your dock, too. However, there are differences in functionality and design to consider between deck and dock railings. Keep reading to discover these nuances and determine the ideal railing for your waterfront escape.
The type of railing you choose for your dock will depend on the type of environment where your dock is located and the exact purpose you want the railing to serve. Here are the primary considerations to help you decide:
High-quality, environmentally friendly composite dock railing is made out of recycled materials and requires no painting, staining, or sealing. Composite railings offer the widest color selection and can be used with wood posts or wood posts covered in a composite sleeve. Square composite balusters provide a traditional aesthetic, while aluminum round balusters can also be used in conjunction with composite rails for a pleasing design combination. Composite railing systems like Trex Transcend® are easy to install and offer a variety of design options.
Aluminum railing is an excellent choice for those seeking a more sleek and contemporary feel. Aluminum is a naturally strong and corrosive-resistant metal and aluminum railings are typically backed by significant warranties lasting up to 25 years long. Some aluminum top and bottom rails are strong enough to support alternatives to traditional balusters like beautifully designed stainless-steel mesh infills and glass panels. Trex Signature® aluminum rails fitted with glass panels can help preserve views and deliver a truly modern aesthetic. Glass panels can also be an effective way to cut down on windy conditions if you have a dining/picnic area on your dock.
Rope railings supply a truly authentic nautical flavor and are the easiest to install. The rope can be attached to the sides of posts with brackets or can be threaded through holes drilled right through the center of the posts. While one of the least expensive options, Nautical rope railings provide less fall protection and will have to be replaced more often than other options.
Trex cable railing is another choice that provides a more modern or contemporary feel. Like glass panels, cable railings are an effective way to maintain full scenic views of the water. But unlike glass, cable railings allow summer breezes to pass through and require little to no cleaning. The posts on cable railing systems have to be strong, which means that the structure of your dock needs to accommodate sturdy bracing and robust fasteners.
Also called cocktail rails, drink railing systems are so named because they have a top rail wide enough to set a beverage on. These wider top rails are often made from standard deck boards reinforced by a support rail beneath them. The deck boards used as a cocktail rail can often be the same boards installed on the surface of the dock. Trex allows you to incorporate a cocktail rail into most of their composite and aluminum railing systems.
Giving careful consideration to how your dock will be used is the most effective way to ensure that you choose the right style and best location for your dock railings. And utilizing the experience and premium products from an industry leader like Trex is also key in getting the most value from your dock railing investment.
Explore these composite docks and start planning your dock build today.