Old vs. New, which type of railing is right for you?
Sometimes, classic and traditional ideas are the noticeably better than their new alternatives. However, more times than not, there is a reasoning for the new and improved models. Just take the car for example; for daily use, almost everyone would prefer a newer car compared to an old Ford Model T. From safety to performance, the differences are stark. So too are the differences in the classical railing material of wood vs. a more modern material such as aluminum. Let’s take a quick dive into a few of the many factors at play when looking at aluminum vs. wood for a railing solution.
Maintenance
Wood railing has been commonplace for hundreds of years based on the high availability and adaptability. Despite the longevity of wood as a railing material, the largest issue with the material is ironically it’s low durability and high maintenance requirements. Wood has the tendency to run into multiple areas of concern, namely rotting, splintering, and warping. These concerns can be attributed to a multitude of factors such as moisture, dryness, and exposure to sunlight to name a few. Furthermore, each of these concerns must be closely monitored, as once one starts to take place it is near impossible to prevent further damage from happening without replacing an entire section.
Wood is susceptible to splintering, warping, and rotting over time
While you should regularly check your railing systems, relatively speaking, aluminum railing is maintenance free. Being a metal material, aluminum railing has a high resistance to rotting, splintering, or warping. However, unlike other metal counter parts, aluminum does not rust, and simply needs periodic cleaning to keep its pristine look. This allows the “new” material to withstand all kinds of adverse conditions and still be structurally sound years down the road.
Visual Appeal
Wood can look great in various settings, from its variety and ability to be stained it is able to match and adapt its surroundings easily. Wood also has the ability to have carvings and other intricate designs molded into it’s frame that other materials struggle to replicate. Unfortunately, these designs can be ruined by the aforementioned splintering, warping, and rotting. Furthermore, a major hurdle for the classic material is its lack of a different type of adaptability. Unlike its aluminum counterpart, wood is extremely ridged and unmalleable. Because of this, designs are normally limited to straight runs and often times seem bulky and cumbersome.
Aluminum is able to be bent to provide a natural flow
On the other hand, aluminum can be curved and bent into various shapes and forms to allow for more natural and aesthetically pleasing designs. Additionally, due to aluminum’s overall strength, less material is need to provide the same structural support as wood. Combining these factors allows aluminum to be used in a variety of railing applications that not only look great, but oftentimes can end up more cost effective.
Knowing the Difference
As we discussed before, choosing between a classic and the newest offering isn’t always easy. When making any decision between two products its always important to know the major differences. While a nostalgic and classical wood material might seem like a great and cheaper option at first, replacement costs and a lack of malleability can quickly accelerate the initial budget.
Got a question about aluminum railing? Please feel free to contact us. If you are interested in obtaining an aluminum railing of your own, check out our railing quote tool!
