21+ DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Your Home

If you're looking for a railing for your deck or porch, you might feel as if you need to resort to hiring a contractor to build one. But many of our customers have done just the opposite, building a sturdy railing all by themselves. Our outdoor stair railing kits and other railing solutions make it possible for just about anyone to install their own railing using just a few basic tools.

Our customers are often grateful for our railing solutions to install. They also appreciate the versatility and durability of the components. To show you can build your deck railing, here are 19 customers examples to help inspire your build:

Back Deck Stair Railing

Dave added this deck to his cottage a few years ago. However, after a few years, Dave figured he should install a railing to make the steps safer and easier to use. Dave's railing is a custom solution that utilizes the Wall Flange fitting to attach the railing to the side of the stairs.

To attach the handrail to the railing upright the Swivel Tee in combination with the Single Socket Tee are used to create the angle.

Double Sided Deck Step Handrail

The above railing was installed by John to comply with his home insurance. His insurance company wanted him to install a railing on his back deck to ensure it was safe and up to code. Rather than hiring a contractor, John was able to install this railing himself using our Surface 29 Handrail kit.

Easy 3-Step Deck Railing

Ken installed this railing for his neighbor's back deck steps. His neighbor recently took an unfortunate fall, and Ken wanted to make it easier for him to get up the steps. Ken appreciated the ease of installation and reasonable cost of the railing.

This railing is also another custom solution that utilizes a few of our ADA fittings to make the railing smooth and easier to grab.

Balcony Deck Railing

When Bruce and Claudette built this deck for their 3-Story house in Western Montana, they originally used 4x4s and 2x4s for the posts and railing. However, the wood quickly deteriorated and became an unsightly piece. In addition, the railing inhibited the view of the nearby mountains.

So they decided to take to the internet to find a pipe railing solution. That's when they contacted our experts. The couple appreciated the durability and look of our railing systems. They were also happy that the railing was maintenance-free.

2 Step Deck Stair and Landing Rail

Charlie and Barbara built this railing for the back deck of their home. The deck is enclosed by the house on three sides. So they needed a railing for the exposed side and the two steps. The resulting railing extends from the building horizontally along the deck and opens up at the staircase.

They worked with our experts to create a simple and custom solution that they loved.

Front Deck Stair Railing

Claud built this railing for her front deck using one of our deck handrail kits. This kit makes it possible to attach a railing to a base on both ends of the railing uprights. A perfect fit for Claud's situation.

4 Step Deck Railing

David wanted a railing for his 1880's house that would compliment the feel while still offering stability and style. This railing is a custom solution that provides support along the railing and edge of the deck.

David primed the rails and then sprayed them with a textured brown paint. He said that it was a "super look with serious stability!"

Metal Deck Railing

Ruth built this creek viewing platform to help mitigate bank erosion for a Boy Scout Eagle project. She needed a railing for the platform and Kee Klamp fittings and pipe fit the bill. She was originally introduced to Kee Klamp by a local construction company but came to Simplified Building for additional components. Ruth appreciated the versatility and strength of using Kee Klamp for the railing and she's even considering using it for railing on their home deck.

 

Strong and Stylish Wood Deck Railing

This deck railing was built by Eliot in New Rochelle, New York. It uses composite lumber posts for the uprights and fittings and pipe for the horizontal railing. Eliot also mentions that Kee Klamp fittings do not react with the composite lumber and stain it as rusting steel or iron would. To attach the pipe railing to the composite lumber posts, the Flange fitting is used.

Along the staircase, our ADA fittings are used to create a smooth railing. The fittings used here include the Wall Mounted End Return and the Internal Coupling.

Deck Railing for a Boat Dock

This railing for this boat dock/deck was built by Dennis in Rockwood, Tennessee. Wood posts are used for the railing uprights while Kee Klamp fittings and pipe are used to reate the horizontal railings. To attach the pipe railing to the wood posts, the Flange fitting is used.

Simple Back Deck Stair Railing

This railing was built by one of our own team members here at Simplified Building, Michael Braun. Michael personally designed this composite deck as a fresh addition to his family's nicely landscaped backyard. He installed a Surface L160 Handrail kit to complement his deck steps.

5-Step Wood Deck Staircase Handrail

This railing was built by Ellen from Mississippi.

She replaced her 3 foot wide deck stairs with double 4 foot wide stairs to open up her entire deck. Because she wanted a wider look for her deck, she didn't want to use a wooden railing that would cover the new steps.

It was easy for her to install Surface C50 Handrail kit. The best part was that the stability of the railing made it easy for her 82-year-old "momma" to go up and down the steps.

Raised Deck Railing

It's not just the product that matters.

This raised porch was built by Michael in order to cover and expand a decaying 100 year old concrete porch. He was recommended to Simplified Building by a friend and decided to use us for his deck railing.

Michael worked with one of our experts, going back and forth to ensure every was as it should. He was able to get the parts that he needed and the support afterwards to ensure that his front deck was safe to use. At the end of the day, working with our expert was the deciding factor for Michael.

4-Step Wood Deck Staircase Railing

This railing was built by Edward for the staircase attached to his back deck. Edward wanted something to grab when going up and down the stairs, particularly in the winter when the steps are icy. The handrail is a custom build that uses the Top Fix Rail Assembly, the Standard Railing Flange, and Wall Mounted Handrail Bracket.

Simple Deck Stair Handrail

This railing was built by Dan in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The railing that accompanies the 3-step staircase was put together using our Surface 29 - Surface Mount Railing Kit.

Deck and Staircase Railing

This railing was built by Gary in Chesapeake, Virginia for his backyard deck. The railing is a custom design that makes use of our Kee Klamp fittings.

Gary chose us because our product is of the "highest quality and looks it too". We were able to get what he needed and get it to him quickly. Gary was very pleased with how professional our team was and how quickly we responded to him.

Contact our experts if you need a similar deck railing.

Pool Deck Stair Railing

This small staircase/deck was built by John in Justin, Texas. To accompany the staircase, John used wood posts to create railing uprights. He then used Kee Klamp fittings and pipe to create the railing handrail. To attach the handrail to the wood posts, the Swivel Flange was used.

Dual Deck Staircase Railing

This railing was built by Mynor in Canoga Park, California. Railing accompanies the staircase on both sides and was made possible with our Surface 567 Handrail Kit.

Short Deck Stair Handrail

This railing was built by Sandra in Loomis, California using our Surface 518 Handrail Kit. Sandra explains it best:

"I wanted to send you a picture of my newly installed handrails. They are solid and secure as a rock and the quality of the materials and design are outstanding. The installation instructions were clear and straightforward. It would have been helpful to include a drill bit size for the handrail screws, but not that difficult to figure out. I'm sure you're aware the stainless steel Phillips head mounting screws are unusable since you included the hex-head mounting screws as well.

My husband is undergoing knee replacement surgery next week and with these rails, he will be able to negotiate the stairs. I did my online research before purchasing from your company, but nothing came close to the craftsmanship or design of your rails.

Thank you all for the great customer service and for getting these here in time! I can't tell you how satisfied I am with my new stair rails, but I will most likely be back for more."

Deck Fence Handrail

This railing was built by Scott in Springdale, Arkansas. Although this deck/walkup ramp includes a wood railing, the metal railing allows people to grab the handrail fully. It's something to consider if you have a wood deck with a wood railing as a metal railing may provide a better handrail to hold onto for guests or elderly family members.

Deck Railing for a Wooden Ramp

This railing was built by Todd in Statesville, North Carolina. It is a custom solution that uses Kee Klamp fittings and pipe.

Small Wood Staircase Handrail

This railing was built by Toni in St. Augustine, Florida. It was made possible using our Classic Adjustable Simple Rail Handrail Kit.

Get a Handrail for Your Deck

If you're interested in building your own railing for your deck, we offer a variety of different kits to accommodate any situation. We have railing kits that mount to the wall only, to the ground only, or to both to fit any deck. Additionally, if you need a custom railing, our projects team is here to help. We offer free design assistance for your project. Our team is experienced and can help you with any of your railing needs.