Composite PVC deck railing is durable, low-maintenance, available in many styles and colors, and is very customizable. It’s also easy to run wiring for lighting with composite deck railing, and most manufacturers provide excellent warranties.
But composite deck railing can be one of the more expensive choices at $60 to $150 per linear foot with professional deck installation.
| New Composite / PVC Deck Railing Installed Cost | ||
| Deck Size / Design | Average Cost (Installed) | Deck Budget Level |
| 10 x 10 Square Deck (30 ft) | $1,800 – $4,500 | Low |
| 20 x 25 Rectangle Deck (65 ft) | $3,900 – $9,750 | Medium |
| Two-tier / Multi-Level Deck (125 ft) | $7,500 – $18,750 | High-Premium |
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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 Composite or PVC Deck Railing?
PVC is easy to define. It is polyvinyl chloride, a very common type of plastic commonly known as vinyl. It is a very hard, durable plastic that is easily colored and textured to create a wide range of appearances.
Composite deck railing is made of a blend of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic, and fibers, most often, recycled wood fibers. Pigment is added, and the material is heated/melted and then extruded into planks of various widths and lengths. They are textured to create an appearance that closely mimics genuine wood – but without the warping, cracking and rot wood is susceptible to.
Composite is a strong, stable, and resilient material. It is tough but attractive, low-maintenance, available in many styles and colors, and is very customizable. It’s also easy to run wiring for lighting with composite deck railing and most manufacturers provide excellent warranties.
The Cost of Composite Deck Railing
The below overview Deck Railing Price Table below shows costs and what you get for the money when buying your home composite deck railing.
Composite deck railing cost factors are listed to the left. These costs are approximate but they give you an idea of what’s included in Low/ Average/ High cost tiers.
| New Composite / PVC Deck Railing Costs | |||
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost | |
| Costs Per foot | $60 – $85 | $90 – $110 | $120 – $150 |
| 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 | Composite | Composite | Composite or Mix & Match |
| 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′ | 6′ , 8′, or 10′ | 6′ , 8′, or 10′ |
| Railing Color | Standard | Standard or Premium | Standard or Premium |
| LED Lights | No | No | Yes or No |
| Gate | No | Yes or No | Yes or No |
| Rail Kits /Individual | |||
| Components | Kits | Kits or Components | Components |
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Composite PVC Deck Railing Brands, Types & Styles
The largest manufacturers of composite deck railing are Trex, TimberTech by AZEK, Deckorators, and Fiberon.
Trex Transcend Composite Deck Railing
Trex Transcend railing is a high-end railing and is made from high-quality composite that won’t rot, warp, peel, or splinter. Trex Transcend gives you the freedom to mix and match materials and colors to create a custom deck railing. You can choose composite decking handrails with balusters of composite or aluminum.
You can purchase all components separately or kits that include rails, balusters, and hardware.
Rails are available in 6’ and 8’ lengths and 36” or 42” heights. Choose from 6 colors and a variety of post caps, including caps with LED lighting.
Trex Select Composite Deck Railing
Trex Select is Trex’s most affordable deck railing line and offers easy installation with their one-box kit option. Trex Select railing combines composite rails with aluminum balusters
AZEK Composite Deck Railing
AZEK – TimberTech deck railing, in composite, gives you a lot of options in three profiles with each profile offering different prices.
AZEK Premier features a Victorian look and Evolution offers a contemporary appearance with round or square aluminum balusters and without post caps for a clean look.
AZEK RadianceRail provides a traditional feel, and Radiance Rail Express, their most affordable line, gives you the ability to purchase the deck rail in complete kits.
TimberTech AZEK railings are available in 6’, 8’, and 10’ lengths and 36” and 42” heights. You’ll also find a variety of post caps and deck lighting. Colors include white, black, and Kona.
Deckorators Composite Deck Railing
Deckorators composite railing is specially designed for the DIY market and is available in two profiles, Classic Composite and Contemporary Composite. Classic includes composite rails, balusters, and posts and Contemporary features composite rails and posts with aluminum deck balusters.
Both profiles are part of Lowes deck railing product line and sold in kits. The Classic kit includes top and bottom rails, brackets, 2 – 4” x 4” post sleeves (posts sold separately) to create an 8’ on-center rail section between the posts at 36” tall. It is available in White.
Contemporary is also sold in kits and colors include black, brown, and gray.
Fiberon Composite Railing
Fiberon composite deck railing is available in HavenView CountrySide and sold in kits, which include rails, balusters, and brackets at 6’ and 8’ lengths. 36” and 42” heights are produced in white, black and brown. Post sleeves and caps are sold separately.
Brio Rhythm is Fiberon’s contemporary style composite railing and is fully customizable. Choose balusters in composite or metal, mix and match colors, 6’ or 8’ lengths, and 36” or 42” height.
ArmorGuard is Fiberon’s most affordable line of composite railing and is carried in the Home Depot deck railing department. The components are sold individually or in kits under either the AmorGuard or Veranda names.
Composite Deck Railing Costs & Prices
Composite deck railing is available as either individual components or in kits.
Composite Deck Kits usually include decking handrails, bottom rails, balusters, brackets, and mounting hardware. Purchasing kits will cost less in labor and make for quicker installation but purchasing individual components will allow you to customize the appearance of the deck railing.
Below is a Composite Deck Railing Price List for panels, rails, components, deck stair railing, gates, and installation accessories.
It is followed by sample composite deck railing costs for popularly sized decks.
| Deck Railing Items & Accessories | Average Retail Cost |
| Panels or Kit with Top Rail, Bottom Rail, & Balusters – 6′ or 8′ | $75 – $450 |
| Stair Panels with Balusters – 6′ or 8′ | $100 – $500 |
| Gate Hardware Kits | $100 – $250 |
| Individual Bottom or Top Rails – 6′, 8′, or 10′ | $45 – $220 |
| Post Sleeves | $45 – $125 |
| Post Mounts – for use without wood | $100 – $150 |
| Composite Baluster Kits – 16 count – 36″ or 42″ | $100 – $220 |
| Aluminum Baluster Kits – 20 count – 36″ or 42″ | $100 – $225 |
| Infill Kits – Spacers, Foot block, Gaskets, Screw Covers | $45 – $100 |
| Post Caps – No Lights | $15 – $75 |
| Post Caps – With Lights | $40 – $150 |
| Mounting & Connecting Brackets & Hardware | $45-$120 |
| Accessory Lights | $30-$100 |
Example Composite Railing Costs for Common Home Deck Dimensions
The list above shows retail costs for Composite deck railing panels and components.
Homeowners want to know what the deck installed costs will be for their specific deck size and type (e.g, Composite, PVC, Aluminum). Most of these are attached decks with rails on three sides.
Use the Railing Cost Guide at the top of the page to find your situation and choose Low, Average, or High cost based on how those factors best fit your deck.
| Deck Sizes / Layout | Linear Feet | Average Cost |
| 10 x 10 Square Deck | 30 | $1,800 – $4,500 |
| 15 x 20 Rectangle Deck Shape | 50 | $3,000 $7,500 |
| 20 x 25 Rectangle Deck | 65 | $3,900 – $9,750 |
| L-shaped Deck | 90 | $5,400 – $13,500 |
| Two-tier / Multi-Level Deck | 125 | $7,500 – $18,750 |
| Deck Stairs – Any Deck Size | 16 | $1,055 – $ 2,600 |
Composite / PVC Deck Railing Installation & Labor
Most Professional deck installers charge between $25 and $45 per linear foot to install composite deck railing.
The deck job includes:
- Removing old railings
- Installing, leveling, securing posts, post skirts, post covers, and foot blocks
- Measure top and bottom rails, cut if necessary, place baluster spacers and insert balusters
- Attach complete panels to posts with brackets, level and secure rails
- Install gates and deck stair railing
- Add wiring, if lighting will be included, add post caps and accessory lighting
Deck Labor costs to install composite deck railing depend these factors:
- Size of Deck: Larger decks will require more labor, but the cost per linear foot will commonly decrease as the deck size increases.
- Complexity of the Deck: Square or rectangular decks have fewer corners and require less time to complete where L-shaped, curved, or multi-sided, and multi-leveled decks will take longer to complete and cost more.
- What you are Installing: Pre-made panels with rails and balusters already attached will take less time than installing individual components. The amount of deck stair railing and number of gates included will also increase labor costs.
- Who you Hire: If you DIY, your costs will include any tools needed to do the job – usually around $500. When hiring a deck pro, look for a capable handyman as those services are generally less than contractors. Just make sure the installer has experience 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 will also require an inspection to ensure the railing is securely installed and safe. Permits vary by city/county and are often priced by the size of the deck. The larger the deck, the more railing included, the longer the inspection will take.
| Deck Sizes / Layout | Linear Feet | Average Cost |
| 10 x 10 Square Deck | 30 | $750 – $1,350 |
| 15 x 20 Rectangle Deck Shape | 50 | $1,250 – $2,250 |
| 20 x 25 Rectangle Deck | 65 | $1,625 – $2,900 |
| L-shaped Deck | 90 | $2,250 – $4,000 |
| Two-tier / Multi-Level Deck | 125 | $3,100 – $5,500 |
| Deck Stairs – Any Deck Size | 16 | $400 – $750 |
DIY vs Deck Railing Installer
Most homeowners don’t have the tools, like a compound miter saw and saw horses, readily available to install composite deck railing. It can be difficult to cut rails, place and attach posts, and make the railing level and secure. If this isn’t accomplished, the railing might not pass inspection.
Also, composite railing will expand and contract with temperature changes and must be installed with allowance for this.
A homeowner with good experience can complete the job with professional-looking results, but hiring an experienced contractor might make the most sense for composite deck railing.
Composite Deck Railing FAQs
Below are commonly asked questions about Composite / PVC deck railing and their deck railing installation.
Q. Is composite deck railing strong?
A. Yes, it is strong and safe. It can easily support the weight of adults leaning against it.
Q. Should I purchase individual rail components or pre-fab panels or kits?
A. Purchasing pre-fab panels or kits will save you money, both in materials and installation, making them a good choice, especially if you’re on a budget. Pre-assembled panels or kits are easier to install and installation goes quicker, so if you can find a style and color that you like, go this route.
Q. Can I put my grill next to the deck railing?
A. No, because composite or PVC is a type of plastic, it can be damaged by very high heat. An outdoor grill should be kept at least 5 feet from the deck railing.
Further Decking Cost Comparisons Guides by Brand
