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Ideas For Deck Handrails

Lauren Bongers

By Lauren Bongers
Published April 19, 2024

Ready to choose deck handrails? Though you might think handrails are a small detail in your overall decking project, they're a must-have safety feature that make a big impact on the overall look of a deck. Below are some stylish handrail ideas to inspire your deck's design.

A wood deck with matching handrails and black metal balusters.

Parts of a Deck

A wood deck with matching handrails and black metal balusters, with a bright green lawn below it.

Many parts go into building a deck including the foundation, framing, stairs and railings. Deck railings are a necessary safety feature as they provide a barrier from the deck to the ground. In most cases, in order to meet local code, decks must be designed with deck railings. Deck handrails are a component of deck railing systems, which also include deck balusters, deck posts, deck post caps and deck accents. Handrails are the horizontal guardrails at the top of the deck railing that surround the entire deck, including stairs.

Deck Handrail Ideas

Whether you prefer a traditional, transitional or contemporary look, there are several ways you can go with deck handrails. Get inspired with a few ideas below. 

Mix Up Materials

A deck with wood flooring, wood handrails and black metal balusters.

There are no rules when it comes to the style of deck handrails. If you want to mix and match materials, go for it. One option is to mix wood handrails with metal balusters. The combination of natural wood and sleek metal is laid-back yet refined. It also makes your deck easier to care for as metal requires less maintenance than wood.

Focus on the View

A deck with brown posts and handrails and glass balusters.

If you want to maximize the view from your deck, consider glass. The glass deck banisters shown here extend around the entire deck to keep the view unobstructed. Paired with brown handrails and posts, this combination offers the best of both worlds. Glass balusters can be mixed with a variety of handrail materials including wood, composite and aluminum. If you have a deck with a staircase, choose matching glass stair banisters and glass stair handrails to keep the transparent look going all the way to the ground. 

Go Sleek and Clean

A stone house with a tiled roof and black aluminum deck handrails and balusters.

Matching aluminum deck handrails and balusters offer a sleek, cohesive look that many homeowners enjoy. In addition to looking great, aluminum is durable and low-maintenance. Following composite, aluminum is the most popular material for deck handrails. 

Step Up the Contrast

A Trex deck with white composite top rails and black balusters.

Just as you can mix materials on a deck, you can also mix colors. This deck features bright white composite handrails with black balusters in the same material. The striking black and white combination makes a bold statement.

Screen It In

A screened-in wood deck with wood flooring, balusters and handrails.

This natural wood deck with matching handrails and balusters is inviting all on its own. The screening, however, makes it even more enticing as a place to enjoy a cup of coffee or cold drink in the evening.