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CABLE, glass and bar railings open up sightlines for homeowners with a view. (Photo by Vista Railings)
10 HOTTEST TRENDS IN DECK RAILINGS ------------ BY DAVID KOENIG DECK RAILINGS, once an afterthought, have become a primary focus in outdoor living projects. With the options multiplying, make sure you sell and stock what contractors and homeowners want. “Since product availability is no longer a major issue and consumers are much more price-conscious than in previous years due to the economic climate, stocking an on-trend product that can satisfy buyer’s design-oriented preferences at a reasonable price point will be critical to maximizing investments up and down the channel,” notes Don Douglas, senior product manager at Fortress Building Products. Here’s what’s hot in railing materials, colors and styles:
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Aluminum, Aluminum, Aluminum By far, the trend most cited by railing manufacturers was the growth in aluminum. BuyRailings.com, among others, is experiencing particularly strong growth in aluminum railing systems, which offer durability, anodized or
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building products digest
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February 2023
color finishes, infill panels, and easy installation. Powder-coated aluminum railing provides the low maintenance that is demanded of all outdoor living products, is simple to install, and is available at a lower cost than composite railing,” explains Rob Mitchell, president and CEO of Vista Railings. “It also has growing design versatility available, as picket, framed glass, frameless glass, cable railing, and privacy wall.” “We’re seeing a lot of people switching from PVC, steel and composites to aluminum,” adds Joseph Moriarty, new business development manager for Specrail Aluminum Products. “It may not be cheaper than wood, but it offers advantages strength-wise, is easy to install, stands up to the elements, and won’t rot or rust. Those are big advantages, especially in any area near water. And it’s so versatile. We offer a lot of options in color and infill materials. Other materials don’t offer as many options.” Christopher Manduka, co-founder of Cable Bullet, also foresees continued growth for aluminum rail components. building-products.com