How Much Does It Cost to Replace Porch or Deck Railings?
Normal range: $650 - $3,700
Replacing porch or deck railings costs $925, on average, but it can cost between $420 and $6,500, depending on the project's size and material costs.
The average cost to replace porch railings is $925, with projects costing anywhere from $650 to $3,700 for most people. These prices, which don’t vary much by location, include the cost of materials and labor. Imagine sitting on your porch, relaxing at the end of a long day. You look around and enjoy your personal outdoor oasis, until you see peeling, cracking, or splitting porch railings. Front porch railings in poor condition can also pose a potential fall hazard. Don’t let a rundown railing ruin your outdoor time. Read on to find out how much it costs to replace your porch railings.
- Average
- $925
- Low end
- $420
- high end
- $6,500
Cost of Replacing Porch Railings
The average cost to replace porch railings is $925, with projects costing anywhere from $420 to $6,500, according to HomeAdvisor. These prices, which don’t vary much by location, include the cost of materials and labor. Materials for the project can cost from $150 to $6,000 for a 10-foot section or porch railing. Labor costs average about $70 per hour or $30 per linear foot.
Porch Railing Cost Breakdown
Every porch and deck are different meaning that there is no one way to replace porch railings. There are a few variables that affect the cost of replacing porch or deck railings. Materials, age of the structure, and whether existing support posts will be replaced all factor into your final cost. Deck railing labor costs are generally fixed hourly rates and should not fluctuate. Labor for porch railing replacement costs on average around $70 per hour.
Materials
Porch railings come in a variety of materials and it all depends on your personal aesthetic preference. If you are looking for a sleek modern look, go for a glass porch surround or stainless steel railings. If you prefer a more traditional aesthetic, painted wood or wrought iron may be right up your alley.
Angi customer Dennis S. from Arlington, Massachusetts, learned the hard way which material was right for his project: "After watching the wood from the previous porch remodel slowly disintegrate, I finally realized that the culprit was the type of wood that was used. Note to homeowners: kiln-dried Western Hemlock is not a good choice for New England porches! After some research, we decided to use Western Red Cedar to rebuild the porch, a much more durable and weather-appropriate material."
Read on to find the average costs of different front porch railing materials.
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $40–$50 |
| Vinyl/PVC | $20–$40 |
| Aluminum | $40–$70 |
| Composite | $15–$30 |
| Trex | $20–$35 |
| Cable | $50–$200 |
| Glass | $100–$600 |
| Wrought Iron | $50–$120 |
| Stainless Steel | $30–$80 |
| Poly or Plastic | $25–$70 |
Age and Condition of the Structure
The age and condition of your porch or deck may impact the cost of railing replacement. If the posts that support the roof are damaged or are showing signs of rot, they will need to be replaced which will increase the total. Posts cost between $20 and $120 each depending on materials.
Location
The location of your porch slightly affects the cost of a deck railing replacement. If your porch railing is front in center, at the entrance of your house, you may opt for higher-end deck railing replacements that cost a bit more. However, if your porch is at the back of your home, and you’re not as concerned about curb appeal, you can likely pay for the more budget-friendly deck railing materials.
Cost to Replace Railings Yourself
Replacing porch railings is a relatively straightforward DIY project as long as support posts don’t need to be replaced. If you decide to tackle this project yourself you could save around $700 assuming $70 per hour for 10 hours of labor. If your railings are made of a material other than wood it might be a good idea to hire a professional as specialized tools are likely required.
For wood porch railings, you’ll need basic carpentry tools like a power drill, saw, hammer and carpenters square to ensure railings are installed at right angles. A ladder may be necessary if your porch is elevated but please take safety precautions or consider hiring a professional handyperson for second-story or higher porches and balconies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pressure treated (composite) lumber is the least expensive material for porch railings, followed closely by vinyl. Composite and vinyl railings tend to be low maintenance, too, so you’ll have some cost savings there as well.
Working on your porch is a great time to accomplish a few other tasks. Don’t miss an opportunity to check these things off your home maintenance checklist: