Aluminum deck railing, professionally installed, will cost you between $50 and $120 per linear foot and slightly more if you are installing it on a concrete patio or have the old railing removed. An average cost is about $85 per linear foot of railing.
Here is an Quick overview of Aluminum Deck Railing installed prices.
The above deck railing cost table and our other Deck Railing prices in this guide will give you a idea on the costs with other leading deck railing styles.
In this Cost Guide
What is Aluminum Deck Railing?
Aluminum railing systems are most often constructed with aluminum posts, but posts made from wood, composite or vinyl materials can be used too. What is true of all aluminum railings, however, is that they contain aluminum top and bottom rails and aluminum balusters.
Aluminum deck railing is strong, durable, lightweight, available in a variety of styles and colors, and affordable. Aluminum will not rust or burn and is made from high-grade aluminum with baked on powder-coat finish. Aluminum is a good choice when you’re looking for an attractive deck railing to provide strength, low maintenance, and an open view.
Aluminum Deck Railing Cost
The below overview Price Table below shows costs and what you get for the money when buying your home deck railing.
Aluminum deck railing cost factors are listed to the left. These are not hard-and-fast rules for costs, but they give you an idea of what’s included in Low/Average/High cost ranges.
New Aluminum Deck Railing Costs | |||
Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost | |
Costs Per foot | $45 – $60 | $55 – $80 | $75 – $120 |
Quality | Average | Average to Good | Good to Best |
Deck Shape | Simple | Simple or Complex | Average or Complex |
Using Existing Post | Yes or No | No | No |
New Posts & Rails | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Post Caps | None or Basic | Basic or Better | Best |
Deck Railing Installation | DIY or Pro | Pro Installer | Pro Installer |
Stair Rail | No | Yes or No | Yes or No |
Rail Height | 36″ | 36″ or 42″ | 42″ |
Panel Length | 8′ | 5′ or 8′ | 5′ or 8′ |
Railing Color | Standard | Standard or Premium | Standard or Premium |
LED Lights | No | No | Yes or No |
Gate | No | Yes or No | Yes or No |
Pre-Fab Panels/Individual | |||
Components | Pre-Fab | Pre-Fab | Individual |
Aluminum Deck Railing Brands & Types / Styles
The largest manufacturers of aluminum deck railing are Deckorators, Trex, Westbury, Aria, Fiberon, and Fortress.
Deckorators ALX Aluminum Railing
This is in the mid-price range and made from heavy-gauge aluminum with a thick powder-coat finish designed to withstand the elements. The ALX series offers two styles, the ALX Classic provides a traditional style and the ALX Pro provides a sturdy 2×4 look. Standard colors include white, black, weathered brown, and bronze.
Lowes deck railing includes a full line of Dekorators railing in 6’ or 8’ long and 36” or 42” tall pre-assembled deck railing.
Trex Signature Aluminum Deck Railing
Trex is a high-end brand. One of the benefits of Trex deck railing is that it is completely customizable allowing you to create a deck railing that fits your style. You’ll find plenty of options and design choices on their website including round or square balusters, thin balusters made to mimic cable railing, 6’ and 8’ rails, brackets, and mounting hardware.
Trex Signature railing components provide the strength of top-quality aluminum, are quite simple to assemble, and available in Charcoal Black, Bronze, and White.
Westbury Aluminum Railing
Westbury leads the industry in aluminum deck railing products offering 4 profiles in outdoor railings. Tuscany features a classic 2-rail design with square or round balusters, Montego features curved balusters, and the Riviera Series features a 3-rail design. The VertiCable Series uses a combination of aluminum rails, posts and balusters alternating with steel cables to provide a virtually unobstructed view. Westbury railing profiles are available in 12 standard powder-coated colors and special order custom colors.
Deck Railings are manufactured in 4’, 5’, 6’, 7’, and 8’ lengths, deck balusters are produced in 36” and 42” heights, and posts come in 2”, 2.5”, 3”, 4” and 6” widths. Installation is fairly easy with balusters sliding into pre-slotted spaces.
Aria Aluminum Deck Railing
This brand manufactures high-quality powder-coated aluminum deck railing. Aria railing, an affordable brand, is one of the Home Depot deck railing brands. Panels come in 6’ and 8’ lengths at a height of 36”. You can buy the railing in solid black, white, or bronze, or purchase black rails with white balusters or vice versa.
Fiberon features aluminum railing under their HavenView CitySide profile. The Fiberon railing system provides a sleek, contemporary design with durable, long-lasting construction. Pre-punched bottom rails enable fast baluster installation.
Panels are available in 6’ and 8’ lengths and 36” or 42” heights in matte black only.
Fortress Aluminum Deck Rail
Fortress prides themselves in being affordable without sacrificing design flexibility and custom capabilities. Their newest aluminum deck railing system, Al 13 PLUS, is fully pre-welded, attractive, and easy to install with a simple bracket system. The system is made with quality welding and is powder-coated, making it maintenance-free.
Welded panels are available in 6’ and 8’ lengths at 34” and 40” heights. Colors include gloss black, textured black, and white.
Aluminum Deck Railing Costs & Prices
Homeowners most often choose aluminum deck railing made in panel kits with balusters and hardware. Decking Professionals also prefer installing these over installing individual components including balusters and deck handrails because the job goes quicker and smoother.
However, purchasing individual components allows you to choose which features suit your style and provide a custom look.
Below is an Aluminum Deck Railing Price List with panels, components, and installation accessories.
It is followed by sample aluminum deck railing costs for popular deck sizes.
Deck Railing Items & Accessories | Average Retail Cost |
Prefab Panels 6′ to 8′ | $150 – $750 |
Stair Panels with Balusters | $150 – $750 |
Deck Gates | $250 – $800 |
Deck Gate Connectors & Hardware Kits |
$55 – $215 |
Posts – End, Middle, Corner | $35 – $175 |
Post & Stair Connectors |
$30 – $125 |
Post Caps – No Lights | $20 – $50 |
Post Caps – With Lights | $35 – $150 |
Mounting & Connecting Brackets & Hardware | $45 – $120 |
Top Rails and Kits 6′ to 8′ | $90 – $300 |
Accessory Lights | $30 – $100 |
Example Aluminum Railing Costs for Common Home Deck Dimensions
The list above shows retail aluminum deck railing costs for panels and components.
Most homeowners want to know what the installed deck costs will be for their specific deck size and type (e.g, Composite, PVC, Aluminum) . Most of these are attached decks with rails on 3 sides.
Using the below Deck Railing Price Table at the top of the page to fit your specific situation and narrow down what you’ll be expecting your railing costs to be based on those factors.
Deck Sizes / Layout | Linear Feet | Average Cost |
10 x 10 Square Deck | 30 | $1,500 – $3,600 |
15 x 20 Rectangle Deck Shape | 50 | $2,500 – $6,000 |
20 x 25 Rectangle Deck | 65 | $3,250 – $7,800 |
L-shaped Deck | 90 | $4,500 – $10,800 |
Two-tier / Multi-Level Deck | 125 | $6,250 – $15,000 |
Deck Stairs – Any Deck Size | 16 | $800 – $1,920 |
Aluminum Deck Railing Installation & Labor
Professional deck installation costs about $20 to $35 per linear foot for aluminum or metal deck railing.
The deck job includes:
- Removing old outdoor railing materials
- Placing, leveling, and securing posts, adding screws and post bottom post covers
- Measure panels and rails, cut if necessary, level rails, attach to posts with brackets and screws
- Install deck balusters and decking handrail
- Install gate and deck stair railing, if using
- Add post caps and accessory lighting
Deck Labor costs to install aluminum deck railing depends on these factors:
- Size of the Deck: Larger decks require more labor, but it is common for the price per linear foot to decrease as the size of the deck increases.
- Complexity of the Deck: Square and rectangular decks have fewer corners and are easier to install than L-shaped or multi-sided decks. Two-tier decks add complexity and cost.
- Who you Hire: If you DIY, then your costs will include any tools required to do the job – usually under $500. When hiring a pro, handyman services are usually less than deck contractors. But be sure that the installer is experienced with the brand and style of deck railing you purchase.
- Where you Live: Cost of living affects all prices including deck railing installation.
- Permit Cost: Most decks that require a railing also require an inspection to make sure that the rail is securely installed for safety. Permits vary by city/county and are often priced by the size of the deck. The larger the deck, the more railing is included and the longer the inspection takes.
Deck Sizes / Layout | Linear Feet | Labor Cost Only |
10 x 10 Square Deck | 30 | $750 – $1,050 |
15 x 20 Rectangle Deck Shape | 50 | $1,125 – $1,625 |
20 x 25 Rectangle Deck | 65 | $1,400 – $2,000 |
L-shaped Deck | 90 | $1,800 – $2,700 |
Two-tier / Multi-Level Deck | 125 | $2,500 – $3,500 |
Deck Stairs – Any Deck Size | 16 | $350 – $450 |
DIY vs Deck Railing Installer
Most homeowners don’t have the tools like a miter saw and non-ferrous aluminum cutting blades to cut and install aluminum deck railing. It can be difficult to cut the rails, secure the posts, and make everything level and secure. With prices for materials so high, mis-cutting a part sets you back quite a bit and delays the job.
If you own or purchase the tools, an experienced DIY homeowner can complete the deck railing job with professional-looking results, but hiring a pro will ensure you get an attractive deck railing that’s also safe.
Aluminum Railing FAQ
Below are commonly asked questions about Aluminum deck railing and their deck railing installation.
Q. Should I choose 6-foot or 8-foot panels and rail lengths?
A. Longer lengths will cost slightly less per linear foot so if your deck can accommodate them, choose the longer lengths.
Q. What are the pros and cons of aluminum deck railing?
A. The Cons and Pros of aluminum railing are below:
The Pros
- It won’t rust or corrode, even in a coastal, salt-air climate
- It is very strong yet lightweight so won’t add unnecessary weight to the deck
- It can last for decades
- There are plenty of styles, colors, and options available in aluminum railing to compliment any home style
Aluminum is very easy to maintain.
The Cons
- Aluminum can be slightly more expensive than other options like vinyl or wood
- It can be easily scratched but it’s also easy to touch-up with paint
- Standard color choices can be limited, some brands offer custom colors
Q. Does aluminum deck railing get hot to the touch in warm, sunny weather?
A. Aluminum dissipates heat well, so while it might get slightly warm, it will not get uncomfortably hot.
Q. Does aluminum deck railing cost more than wood railing? More than composite?
A. Aluminum is about twice the cost of wood railings and slightly higher in price than most composite railing.