Some substances used for porch and deck railings may be considered (or claimed to be) maintenance free since they don’t require regular painting or sealing like wood railings perform. Many non-wood materials may be called maintenance free, including aluminum, glass and stainless steel, except for the most part the term is used to describe composite and vinyl (or PVC) railing systems.
Benefits
Composite and PVC railings are created primarily with vinyl. This means that they don’t rot and are relatively resistant to weathering from exposure. Their color is added during the production process so there’s no need to paint or stain the railings. They don’t splinter or have knots or other defects that are all-natural common.
Considerations
Maintenance railing substances typically are more costly than standard wood substances, however they come without the expenses. According to 2014 quotes in”Remodeling” magazine, based on national averages, there’s a 74.3 percent return on investment for combo deck improvements, compared to a return of 87.4% for timber deck developments.