Porch Railing Ideas - 7 Designs to Add Curb Appeal

Porch railings can be a great way to add curb appeal to your home. They give the front of your house a finished look, as well as protect visitors from trips and falls. Porch railings can be simple or ornate, depending on what you're looking for and how much maintenance you want to do. Some people prefer wood, metal, stone, or other materials for their porches because they have more options for customization.

Split Railing Fences

Split rail fences are usually lower-profile and consist of about 3 to 4 horizontal stacks of fencing between posts. They are common in the west or farmland areas and add a rustic appeal to your home when used with a mixture of materials.

Aesthetically speaking, these types of railings look best when they're stained or painted. If you opt for natural-colored paints like white or gray, then it will go with almost any color scheme you choose for your house!

Made/Combined with Stone

Stone is an excellent material for porch railings. It's durable and lasts a long time, meaning that you won't need to replace it after just a few years. It comes in many different colors, styles, and shapes, so you can find something that suits your tastes perfectly. Many homeowners like to mix stone with other elements like metal or wood for a range of styles, from rustic to modern.

Railings for Patios

Patio railings can be a great addition to your home. They can add curb appeal to your property, provide privacy and security, and add decorative touches that let you express your creativity. They also expand your living space into an outdoor area that is designated for relaxing, parties, or landscaping.

Painting Iron Railings

Painting iron railings is one of the most popular ways to update your porch. It’s a relatively inexpensive option, and it allows you to customize the color in any way that fits your style. You don't have to be an expert painter to do it yourself. You just need a few simple tools and materials, some creativity, and a little bit of patience.

Vertical & Horizontal Combinations

Horizontal railings are one of the most popular railing options for small porches, as they're easy to install and do not take up much space. They also come in various styles, including straight and curved designs.

Vertical railings are best for larger areas on your porch, because they provide more support than horizontal ones do. They can be used either as a standalone design element or with other factors like arches or columns to add visual interest and dimension to your home's exterior facade.

Adding Cocktail Railings

These are exceptionally popular with homes with many family members or host frequent guests because you're adding space to set down objects. The large flat top of the rail is usually big enough to hold a cocktail glass (hence the name). That provides a lot more space for games, drinks, food, decorations, and anything else you may need in your outdoor setting.

Custom Designs

If you have a unique feature on your home, like a cathedral ceiling element or distinctive patterns in the architecture, you can echo these features in the design of your railings. This allows visitors to see a more cohesive building design and often draws the eyes to specific parts of the home like outdoor hardscaping, the entrance, or bay windows.

Get Expert Advice

Whatever your next porch railing needs, MJ Iron Works Chicago is here to help. We offer an expert team of certified welders that are licensed, bonded, and insured to craft incredible porch railings for your home or business. Send us a note today, and let’s get started with your unique solution to improving the curb appeal of your property!