On a balcony or second-story deck, the railing is the first thing people see from the yard and the last thing between you and the view. It has to be strong, it has to look good from below, and it shouldn’t block what you built the deck to see. These are the railing styles we install most on upper-level decks and balconies around Utah County and Salt Lake County.
Fortress FE26 steel railing
Our default railing is Fortress FE26 in Black Sand. It’s powder-coated steel with slim balusters, so it’s strong without looking heavy. Black disappears against the sky and mountains, which keeps the view open from a second story, and it pairs well with almost any TimberTech deck color.
Frameless glass
For the most open view, nothing beats glass. IG frameless glass railing uses glass panels with no posts in the way. It’s popular on decks facing Utah Lake, Mount Timpanogos or the valley lights. Glass also blocks wind, which helps on exposed upper decks. On our Pleasant Grove foothills deck, illuminated glass railing makes the deck glow at night.
Cable and horizontal rod
Cable railing uses thin stainless cables run tight between posts. From a few feet away the cables almost vanish. Horizontal rod railing gives a similar modern look with solid rods. Both work well on contemporary homes and mountain-view decks.
Privacy railing
Not every second-story deck has a view to protect. In tight subdivisions, a deck may look straight into a neighbor’s windows. HideAway privacy screens and solid privacy panels give you a private outdoor room. Our South Jordan deck uses black privacy railing with fiber optic lighting for a deck that feels tucked away.
Mixed railing
You don’t have to pick one style. A common setup is glass or cable on the view side, Fortress steel on the sides, and a privacy screen facing the neighbors. A drink rail cap along the view side gives you a place to set a drink and lean on the rail.
What matters most on a second story
- Strength. Upper-level railings take more load and carry higher stakes. We install them to the manufacturer’s specifications with the correct post mounts and blocking.
- How it looks from below. A second-story railing is part of the house’s curb appeal. Choose a color and style that matches the windows, trim and roofline.
- Lighting. Under-rail and post cap lights make stairs and edges safer at night. See our lighting ideas.
- Maintenance. Powder-coated steel, glass and stainless steel need little more than an occasional wash.
Browse more styles on our railing design ideas page and porches and railings page. If you’re planning a second-story deck or balcony, call for a free estimate.