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Thinking of adding Composite Railing to your patio or deck? We recently finished up our concrete patio out back with it. Here is the finished look and what you need to know about Composite Railing!
This project took us a couple evenings to knock out, that is, when the rain was holding out on us. The difficult part was more along the lines of choosing what kind of handrails to go with. We made a visit to our local home improvement store to see what easy options they offered for a concrete patio railing then we came home and dug into some research. The other options were that of wood and metal.
What is Composite Railing
What Is Composite Railing Made Of?
So, maybe at this point you’re thinking…what in the hey is composite railing? A composite rail is manufactured with the make up of both PVC and recycled wood fibers.
While composite railing options cost more than other options such as wood, we wanted something with little upkeep and a handrail that we would not have to replace in just a couple years, managing the weather nicely and thought the extra expense was well worth it. When thinking long term it was actually not more expensive then a wood railing due to wood’s life span , maintaining and preserving it that in which would be required.
Why Choose A Composite Porch Railing
The Benefits of A Composite Handrail
Besides being cheaper in cost in the long run. Here is a list of other things you might have not considered.
- You won’t have trouble with your rails splitting
- You’re railing will not rot or decompose
- No worries of the composite peeling or rusting
- No need for staining or painting
- Due to the product’s material it will not fall prey to animals
- Manufacture offers a 20 year limited product warranty on the life and finish of the composite (check with your particular brand product, this is what mine was)
- Low-maintenance & easy to care for
- Gives a classic, beautiful and timeless look
- Installation is easy to put together and can be less complicated than other materials
- Strong, durable and long-lasting
- Great option to install on both concrete and wood porches or patios
Before Installing The Composite Railing
I thought I would throw in a quick before photo to give you an idea of our patio’s humble beginnings.
Now for the project. Then we waved our magic wands and it was done. No, no I wouldn’t have a DIY blog if that was the case. It’s fun, I enjoy sharing this stuff with you! Let’s get started installing this puppy.
Supply List
Metal Post Mount Kit (Includes hardware and instructions for wood and concrete installations)
Post Cap (ours is out of stock, this one is the same just fancier)
Handrail, we went with the Sentry (there is the traditional style and also the classic style depending on what handrail design you love)
Rail Connector Brackets (choose these according to which style rails you go with, again we went with Sentry) Here are the traditional brackets and Here’s the Classic ones
Baluster (we chose midnight black to give ours a two tone look) You could also choose all white or chestnut brown
Other Concrete Railing Options
We loved the look of our composite railing, plus, had some extra material from the concrete patio so we decided to install a matching handrail for the front porch.
Some other ideas are:
Install a composite gate on your deck or patio that pairs great with any of the composite railing system products mentioned above.
Stair railing kits are also available.
Tools Needed For Concrete Patio Installation
To mount into concrete–>We used a Impact drill, however we strongly recommend a ratchet wrench to install the screws to prevent stripping!
ShopVac (This is to suck out concrete shavings from your holes during and after drilling through the concrete)
Level
Tape Measure
Installing Concrete Patio Railing (Sentry Style)
We first drilled the holes in the concrete with the hammer drill and then used our drill to screw the posts into the concrete.
Once all the post were mounted, we slipped our post sleeves on over top. We could of cut the post sleeve down somewhat shorter but we liked them on the taller side.
We then were able to slide on our base trim down to the bottom of the post.
The caps were placed firmly on top.
Now you can see what I mean by the taller look of the post.
Using The rail connectors, we attached the handrails. One at the top and one towards the bottom of each post.
Note: You’ll need to install the bottom rail first, then add your balusters and last you can attach the top rail. This is so everything lines up and fits perfectly.
Lastly, the black balusters went in each of the premade slots.
After Photos
Recently Updated Photos
As you can see, we are working on some privacy on the back of our patio with this tall grass we recently planted. We’re now going on almost 4 years with our composite railing and we are happy that’s the route we took when choosing a handrail. It’s held up nicely, however, the white does tend to get dirty very easily.
How To Clean Composite Railing
Over time your composite railing will need a thorough cleaning. Part of caring for our new railing has us washing it rather frequently. Harsh winters, bird poo, moss, algae, and debris are sure to build up on the composite. I included some tips for how to clean composite railing that I hope to be helpful.
The first option is to use a hose, a bucket, a brush or sponge along with a dish detergent like dawn dish soap.
You can however use a pressure washer to spray down your composite rail but keep a safe distance between the pressure washer and the concrete railing. We suggest staying a minimum of 6” away from the surface.
For the more stubborn stains you might need something a little more heavy duty and efficacious which is why I recommend a composite deck cleaner.
According to Review Gurus, The 5 Best Composite Deck Cleaners Are These:
#1 Simple Green Pro HD
#2 Resist Mist Composite Deck Cleaner
#3 Wash Safe Industries WS-SC-1G
#4 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner
#5 Wet And Forget Moss Mold Mildew & Algae Stain Remover
You can also whip up your own homemade cleaner that works like a charm, get the full instructions here.
I hope this post gave some insight on whether or not you would be happy with a composite railing for your next outdoor DIY project!