Functionality and aesthetics, these two design applications can coexist and when they do, they can fantastically increase the value of any indoor or outdoor railing build. The team at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. applies the same design principles at the forefront of any project. We not only fabricate but also install custom railings for both home and commercial spaces in Greater Vancouver.

In our previous blog posts, we discussed a few materials for staircases and accompanying handrails. Now, let’s take a new, refreshed, broader look at railings and ask which materials are best when customizing railings in your home.

What is the Benefit for Customizing Railings?

Custom interior railings or exterior railings not only fulfill the safety checkmarks on any new build but also enhances the style and adds character to your home. Sturdy railings are the difference for preventing falls on stairs, landings, balconies, etc. But a new and unique railing not only improves on your home’s interior design or exterior curb appeal but also contributes to higher property value!

Let’s Talk about Materials!

Here are five of the most common types of railing materials as well as what applications they are best suited for.

Aluminum railings

With a high strength-to-weight ratio, aluminum railings are lightweight but very stable and very durable. Aluminum makes for great outdoor railings, especially during Vancouver wintertime when it is less likely to become covered in ice because of how it conducts heat. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion and moisture damage, making it long-lasting and easy to maintain.

Brass railings

Brass is an enduringly popular material for indoor railings that have been used for centuries and across many design motifs. It can serve as a charming decorative element in traditional, rustic, country, and even industrial designs. Because it is resistant to corrosion, brass is a good choice for year-round exterior use as well.

Glass railings

Durable tempered glass railings are another fantastic option for both interior and exterior railing installations. Glass is often chosen for balconies and decks because it doesn't obstruct the view – and why would you if Greater Vancouver is the view! This design motif of transparency, clean lines, and the sensation of opening up space makes glass a popular option for stairways, lofts, as well as for pool enclosures. On top of everything, glass is very low maintenance and easy to clean.

Wrought iron railings

If you're after timeless curb appeal and a material that can withstand the elements during every season of the year, then you won’t go wrong in choosing wrought iron railings. Because it is hand-crafted, a wrought iron railing can be as ornate and decorative or simple and minimalistic as you like. If you’re interested in more on wrought iron, check out our last blog here.

Stainless steel railings

Stainless steel has all of the strength and durability of regular steel as well as superior corrosion resistance perfect for standing up to Vancouver's heavy winter rains, all at an affordable price! It's also a good choice for interior railings, as it comes in numerous attractive finishes that can complement your overall design scheme.

Beautiful Custom Railings in North Vancouver & The Greater Vancouver Area

Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. has been providing homeowners with custom interior railings and exterior railings in Vancouver since 1942. We design, manufacture, install, and repair railings of all kinds, offering our clients a full-service package for all of their railing needs.

To receive a free estimate on aluminum, brass, stainless steel, iron, or glass railings in Vancouver, just contact Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. today.

When considering the design of your new home, it’s the small details that make all the difference. Whether it’s a railing for an interior or exterior staircase, you want to pick something that will be an extension of the overall design of your home. It’s long been recognized that a staircase can be the centerpiece of a room, so it’s important that you pick a design that commands the attention of anyone who enters your home. Here at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc., we offer a variety of services for the design and installation of railings anywhere in Vancouver.

Wrought Iron
Wrought iron opens the door to a lot of different design possibilities when it comes to your railings. Iron styles usually consist of elaborately executed patterns superimposed atop the standard railing design. Some of these patterns include diamonds, iron scrollwork, and tapered lamb’s tongue. Of course, these designs are just the beginning; the only limit to the shapes and patterns of your railings is your imagination.

Glass
If you’d like to transform your home into something that feels more modern, glass is a great way to develop a style that’s both sleek and current. Coupled with the use of a metal handrail, a series of glass panes can help make your home feel like a pioneer of 21st-century staircase design.

Metal
Metal is a material that evokes simplicity, robustness, and grace; using stainless steel for your railings will make your Vancouver home feel spacious, trendy, and sophisticated. With a variety of shapes and patterns to choose from, there’s sure to be one that fits the design of the interior or exterior of your house.

If you’re looking for someone to design your railings in Vancouver, contact us at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. With over 60 years of experience, our team of experts will work with you to find the perfect style to fit your home. Visit our products for more information regarding design and installation.

Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. The magnificent mountain backdrop, the stunning ocean views, the city skyline. If you’re fortunate enough to have a great view of the beauty that Vancouver has to offer, why not make the most of it with glass railings?

1. The perfect end to a long day
Enjoying an unobstructed view of the city is the perfect way to end a long day. With nothing blocking your view you’ll be able to sit outside on your deck or balcony and enjoy a cold beverage while you relax and take in the scenery. Glass can make your outdoor living space more enjoyable whether you’re having a barbeque, entertaining guests or just soaking up the sun.

2. Focus on the little details
When it comes to designing the perfect deck, it’s the little details that can make even the most ordinary balcony railings to the next level. Choose a design that best suits your tastes and lifestyle and then select unique hardware pieces to hold your glass railings in place for a one-of-a-kind look you won’t see anywhere else.

3. Easy to maintain
Glass requires very little maintenance and will retain its beautiful appearance for many years. Unlike wood and some other materials, mildew growth is rarely an issue, and clean-up is as simple as a bucket of warm, soapy water.

4. Beautiful appearance
With a wide range of options to choose from, it’s easy to find glass railings to complement the look and style of your home. From tinted glass to an array of colors and finishes for other components, glass can lend its beautiful appearance to any front porch, balcony, or pool enclosure.

5. Sleek, sturdy and safe
Not only can a glass railing provide you and your guests with an unobstructed view of Vancouver’s beautiful skyline but you’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your railings are incredibly safe. At Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. in Vancouver, our glass railings are constructed using high-quality tempered glass for strength and durability that you can count on.

6. Enjoy your privacy
Other materials, like wood or PVC, are great at providing privacy but they obstruct your view of the city’s scenery and can block out all the light. Glass privacy panels can be used to provide you with privacy for your outdoor space, without destroying your view.

If you want to make the most out of your outdoor space, upgrade to the seamless, stylish look that only glass railings can provide. For the design, manufacture, installation, and repair of glass railings in your Vancouver home or business, contact Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. and get started with a free quote.

Trends come and go so when it comes to design there are a lot of choices and decisions to be made, especially if those decisions will be featured prominently to all your neighbors. Well-heeled buyers have long been commissioning outdoor spaces with elements of high design, but now even buyers with modest budgets can have a touch of class on their decks with a new guard rail system. Deck rail design trends are on the rise as interior designers stretch their horizons.

At family-owned Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc., we understand that choosing the right materials to invest in the appearance of your home can be a challenge - we’ve been designing, manufacturing, and installing metal fences, stairs, and railings in North Vancouver for more than 70 years with affordable, high-quality service to all our customers.

Fortunately, manufacturers have responded with enough new deck railing products to satisfy all tastes and price points. Selling these products, as well as in creating custom designs, means understanding what is clicking with today’s homeowners in the areas of design choice, lifestyle enhancement, low maintenance, and cost. To ensure your new or replacement deck is on-trend, consider these areas:

Design - manufacturers, dealers, and builders alike are reporting more mixing and matching of styles and materials. Various shades of brown, and some reds, are proving to be most popular, along with composite materials that reflect the style and location of the house with many looking almost exactly like wood.
Lifestyle - buyers are looking for rail systems that don’t block the view as traditional balusters can. Cable rail, glass, and traditional balusters that are thinner and darker have become more popular. Demand for deck lighting continues to grow, with choices ranging from baluster and post lights to accent lights recessed into the deck boards. Water and fire features make your deck even more enjoyable.
Maintenance - is affecting people’s decisions with aluminum or vinyl composite railings and spindles winning out over wood rails and spindles that can be hard to maintain.
Cost - when it comes to rail systems it’s important to emphasize installed cost.

According to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), the most notable railing provision from a design standpoint was a requirement that handrails be at least 36 inches above fixed deck seating, in order to prevent small children from standing on the seat and climbing over the rail - suggesting high-design railings are here to stay.

Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. manufactures interior and exterior railings with wrought iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and glass to be attractive, sturdy, and affordable. If you are looking to invest in custom gates or railings in North Vancouver, contact Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. today.