Railings are great to have for safety purposes, and of course to add a nice design element to any space. There are many different kinds of railings to select from, and so with that in mind, the goal of this article is to outline key factors when it comes to the buying process. When deciding what the ideal one is for your particular property, be sure to keep these factors at the top of your list.
Factors to consider before buying railings for your home or office
Each factor below will play a part in your decision making process when it comes to purchasing railings for your home or office. There may be one or two factors that matter most to you, but all of these factors come into play when it comes to railing selection.
- Cost – Every material has a different cost than the next, but keep in mind that this railing is a long term investment into enhancing your property, so don’t nickle and dime when it comes to selecting the ideal material. Aluminum is typically the lowest cost option available on the market, followed by cast iron, and wrought iron is usually at the higher end of the spectrum. You also have to consider the cost of installation as well where obviously the lowest cost option is to do the work yourself or get help from an experienced family member or friend. If you are hiring a contractor to put the railing in, then be sure to shop around and consider at least five different companies who can do the job successfully.
- Look and feel – Railings can really add a look of sophistication and flare to a space. Most options are going to add to a property’s design element, it’s just a matter of deciding which option makes the most aesthetic sense for your home or business. Wrought iron is always an excellent choice from a design perspective. A nice, modern option is cast iron which is gaining in popularity, and for older properties a timeless option is wrought iron. Make sure that whatever material you decide on you take into account the look as you will be living with this railing for many years to come. Visually appealing elements are such huge considerations for many when it comes to putting anything into their home or office, so ensure that your railing fits with your space and helps to make it pop.
- Upkeep – Most homeowners have enough work to do around their place without adding more to their to-do lists. When it comes to railings you don’t need to really worry about a ton of maintenance, but this is certainly an element to have in mind before forking over money to make a purchase. If you can’t be bothered to do much to keep your railing in good shape then aluminum is more than likely your top option. Aluminum fixtures that are of high quality don’t need to be painted to keep the surface looking beautiful, and they are a rust free material. Cast and wrought iron can certainly last a very long time, but they require a bit more maintenance than aluminum alternatives to keep looking like new.
- Material strength – Cast and wrought iron are both extremely strong and durable materials to have in a railing. When safety and security is an important factor, then you can’t go wrong with a cast or wrought iron option. Aluminum offers benefits such as being more lightweight, but if security is a top concern then the other two options will offer more strength and support.
Cypress Railings is a Vancouver-based railing company that offers top quality products which are created by our experienced team with the highest level of skill and craftsmanship. Our team consists of designers, welders, fabricators, and installers with many years of combined local experience.
Our products are hand-made with exquisite attention to detail and the flexibility to customize colour, finish, pattern and overall design, all at competitive prices. In-house fabrication also ensures that extra care is taken during the fabrication process, as opposed to the process that railings go through when being mass-produced by large companies.
