Home / Railings and stairs
Deck railings and stairs
Aluminum, cable and composite railings, plus stairs wrapped to match your deck.
Railings and stairs are where a deck gets used hardest and where inspectors look closest. Florida code generally requires a guard on decks more than 30 inches above the ground, and every set of stairs needs consistent riser heights and a graspable handrail.
Railing options
| Railing | Look | Upkeep | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (black, bronze, white) | Clean and simple | Very low | Our most popular choice; won't rust |
| Cable rail | Open views | Low; re-tension occasionally | Great for water and golf-course views; stainless cable near salt air |
| Composite rail (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) | Matches the deck boards | Low | Ties the whole deck together |
| Wood rail | Traditional | Seal regularly | Lowest cost |
Deck stairs
We build stairs on their own footings with even risers and treads, wrapped in the same decking as the deck so they match. On a recent Trex job, two runs of steps framed with ripped 2×6 risers and wrapped in Trex came to $2,849 installed.
Posts, caps and lighting
Railing posts can be wrapped in composite sleeves, topped with caps, and fitted with low-voltage post-cap lights so stairs and edges are easy to see at night. Low-voltage lighting on a recent deck was $1,200 installed.
Common questions
Does my deck need a railing?
In general, Florida code requires a guard on any deck surface more than 30 inches above the ground below. Even on lower decks, a railing or post-and-rope edge along steps adds safety.
What railing lasts best near the beach?
Powder-coated aluminum or stainless cable rail. Both hold up to salt air far better than steel or wood.