Whether you choose aluminum, iron, or steel, metal balusters can offer you several advantages over conventional materials when building your deck. One of the biggest advantages, of course, is simply that it is versatile enough to allow you a myriad options to choose from in your quest to build the best deck possible. These options mean that you don’t have to be held to a certain standard look or aesthetic quality that wood brings to the table. You can feel free to branch out and try new things, all the while implementing accessories that are stronger and more durable than wood ever thought of being.
Options
You won’t find many materials that give you as many style options as metal balusters. This is in stark contrast to what most people think when they hear that word. They think they will be stuck with plain, metallic-looking posts that seem as though they would be more appropriate for a jail or an institution than a home. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Even those that still retain a strong metallic quality can be woven into as many styles and shapes as you can imagine, imparting their own unique, rustic charm. But you can go much further, bringing in a variety of colors that will obscure the fact that you went with aluminum or steel in the first place, if that’s what you would prefer.
Maintenance
There will be plenty of occasions to treat your deck with the tender loving care it deserves. If you’re using any type of wood in the construction, it is eventually going to become susceptible to mold, moss, and possibly even termites. You may not want to make your entire deck out of aluminum to avoid these eventualities, but at least metal balusters will ensure that you can have one aspect of the patio in need of little maintenance. Get them coated with rust-resistant materials and you won’t even have to worry about that in the future. They will get dirty like anything else, but cleaning them should be a breeze as long as you stay on top of it.
Installation
While most homeowners entrust a project as large as a deck or patio to a contractor, there are still those holdouts who derive immense satisfaction from doing things themselves. If you fall into this category, you need pieces that will be as easy to install as possible. While not all metal balusters will fit the bill, many will. Look for suppliers who can talk to you about your project and recommend products that you can install without professional assistance. Of course, aluminum and steel railings are just as appropriate when installed by a contractor as they are when put in by a homeowner.