How to Choose the Perfect Railing to Complement Your Decking

Railing and balustrades finish off your decking and enhance the security you feel when using the outdoor space. Today, the most popular options are glass balustrades or PVC balustrades, but how do you choose between them?

At Vinyl Solutions, we have a wide range of balustrading and rail choices, so you can find something that will fit exactly what you have in mind. Having provided bespoke decking and balustrades to holiday home and caravan owners for over 20 years, we’ve got a strong grasp on what you need to think about when choosing the perfect railing.

In this blog, we share these considerations so that you can find a railing that will complement your decking and keep you safe.

What Are Your Options?

When it comes to the style and design of your decking, you have plenty of options to choose from.

• Materials – choose from glass or PVC balustrades
• Spindles – if you choose uPVC, then you can opt for English or Latin spindle styles
• Colours – uPVC balustrade posts and rails are available in a wide variety of colours
• Glass panel styles – if choosing glass, there are three styles to choose from
• Glass colours – glass balustrade panes come in four different colours
• Privacy options – or you can opt for something a little more solid to create privacy

Each choice will create a different aesthetic and will also have different levels of maintenance.

• uPVC – is more traditional, creating an open feel. It is also low-maintenance and won’t need resealing, just a cleaning every now and then to remove dirt and debris.
• Glass – is more contemporary in style but can match the openness of uPVC balustrading if you choose clear glass. It needs a little more maintenance as fingerprints can make it look dirty more easily.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Decking Railing

The main points to consider when choosing the right material for your railing are:

• Durability
• Visual appeal
• Cost-effectiveness
• Maintenance requirements

Durability

• uPVC Balustrades
  • Highly resistant to moisture, UV rays, and corrosion.
  • Offers good impact resistance; less prone to shattering.
  • Long-lasting with minimal maintenance required.

• Glass Balustrades
  • Durable, especially with tempered or laminated glass.
  • May be more vulnerable to scratches; requires careful handling.
  • Metal frames may need corrosion-resistant treatment.

Visual Appeal

• uPVC Balustrades
  • Available in various colours and finishes; can mimic traditional wood or metal.
  • Typically offers a more classic look.
  • Panels may obstruct scenic views.

• Glass Balustrades
  • Modern, transparent aesthetic with uninterrupted views.
  • Reflects natural light, giving a spacious feel.
  • Can be framed, frameless, or semi-frameless for style versatility.

Cost-effectiveness

• uPVC Balustrades
  • Lower initial cost, making it budget friendly.
  • Minimal maintenance required, reducing ongoing costs.
  • Easier and cheaper to repair or replace sections.

• Glass Balustrades
  • Higher initial investment, especially for high-quality glass.
  • Requires regular cleaning to prevent smudges or deposits.
  • Replacement can be costly if panels crack or chip.

Maintenance

• uPVC Balustrades
  • Low maintenance; usually requires only occasional cleaning with soapy water.
  • Resistant to staining and fading, so minimal upkeep is needed.

• Glass Balustrades
  • Requires frequent cleaning to maintain a clear, smudge-free appearance.
  • May require special cleaning products to avoid scratching or streaking.

Sometimes, it can be helpful to write a list of the elements you want from your decking railing, as this can help you prioritise and balance features of both uPVC and glass balustrades.  

Design Considerations for Holiday Home and Caravan Decking Balustrades

Your decking serves as an extension of your caravan or holiday home, so it’s important to choose a style that complements it, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.

Here are a few tips to consider when choosing the design features of your decking railing.

Firstly, you should consider the overall aesthetics of your holiday home:

• Match architecture – enhance the architectural style you already have with a traditional or contemporary positioning of rails and structures.
• Enhance existing features – if your holiday home or caravan has wood or metal accents on the exterior, highlight these by choosing colours and textures that match.
• Balance with the landscape – the decking and railing should fit in with the surroundings. Creams and anthracite decking are subtle contrasts to the landscape, while lighter colours like white can blend seamlessly in coastal or sandy areas.

Colours will have a big impact on the feel of the decking:

• White rails – can have a fresh, clean appearance and create a spacious feel.
• Cream rails – is a versatile shade that adds a touch of warmth and pairs beautifully with both light and dark exteriors.
• Anthracite rails – are a trendy, dark grey shade that adds a contemporary, stylish feel to outdoor spaces and contrasts well with light-coloured caravans or holiday homes.

Making the Perfect Balustrade Choice with Vinyl Solutions

There are several elements to think about when choosing the perfect railing for your decking, from design and style to maintenance and durability.

Glass and uPVC balustrades are both becoming popular choices because they offer durability, security and are relatively low maintenance. Plus, they both offer a lot of design flexibility, meaning you can create the perfect look to match the exterior of your holiday home.

At Vinyl Solutions, we have been designing and installing composite and uPVC decking for caravans and holiday homes with glass and uPVC balustrades for over 20 years.

Over this time, our design options have grown to offer a selection that allows you to choose a decking that suits your style and needs.

Alongside the many options available, we’re proud that we offer custom solutions, meaning you can combine all the options that work for you into one perfect decking system. And when we say you choose everything, we mean it!

You’ll have your say in:

• Configuration
• Style
• Board materials and colours
• Balustrading
• Lighting
• Accessories

What’s more exciting is that our software will create a drawing for you, so you can see what your choices will look like on a floor plan before committing to them.

Book an initial consultation with our experts to start designing your perfect decking today. Call us on 01202 650 700 or complete our online contact form, and we will be in touch to arrange a consultation.