I’m often asked about what kind of exterior railings are best, wooden or metal. Like most questions, the answer depends on what your objectives are.

    If you are simply looking for the least expensive railing, then wood is the answer. Most any carpenter can build it and wood is considerably cheaper than metal. Wood might also be your preference if you are looking to create a house in a particular style where wood railings are a key component. But two shortcomings of wood railings are that they require maintenance and they can block the view through them. (more…)