What types of deck railings does Ontario Deck Railing offer?Ontario Deck Railing provides various options like aluminum and glass. Each comes in many styles and colours, fitting your home's look.
How do I choose the right deck railing system for my home?Choosing depends on your home's style, the area around it, and what maintenance you can manage. Ontario Deck Railing helps pick the best fit for you.
How do I ensure my deck railing installation meets the Ontario Building Code?Ontario Deck Railing knows all about Ontario's deck safety rules. Your new railing will be safe, look great, and follow all codes, easing your mind.
What is the process of having a deck railing installed by Ontario Deck Railing?Email Ontario Deck Railing your deck plans with measurements as well as some photos of your deck. We will then send you a quote. Once the price is agreed to by both customer and Ontario Deck Railing and a deposit paid, we will book you in for an installation.
How do I know I'm working with a reputable deck railing contractor in Ontario?With licensed, insured pros, Ontario Deck Railing is all about great service. They are known for quality work and happy customers, ensuring they're a top choice in the area.

We own a bungalow with a covered front porch as well as a covered small-ish back patio. It took us a little while after moving in before we replaced the front porch wood railing with our very own Wide Aluminum Picket Railing System. It was good to replace something that needed maintenance with our system that needs little to no maintenance out front.

We also have a back patio that is less than 2' above the ground, about 10' x 10' so technically it does not need any railing, which seemed unnecessary at the time. It never occurred to us that it would be useful to install a set of railings there so we did not for a couple of years while living here. At the time, we probably felt like it would limit the use of the patio if we did install our railing system there. 

One fine day, however, we began to wonder (a pin dropped) what it would be like to install our own Framed Glass Railing System on the open side of the patio. Would it help or make it worse? Well, we had to test it out and boy, did that change the way we were using our patio! It felt more spacious (and safer for young children) with the defined edge, and we added a set of tables and chairs for dining to the edge of the patio when we did not feel like it would work there before (fear of falling factor). We were surprised by how much of a difference it was having the railing system there.

If you , like us, ever thought that it was not a good investment to install a set of railings on a deck that is less than 2' off the ground, you will realise very quickly once they have been installed that you can use the deck/patio in a more useful way than you ever did.

The only regret we have is not having installed railings in the back deck much sooner. Haha. The irony.

*The photo is of a customer's spacious back deck, installed with our Yard Bronze Framed Glass Railing System.

​Grace & Matt
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One of the most common assumptions we hear from customers is that glass railings are hard to maintain as it takes a lot of effort to keep them clean year round, so they avoid even considering it. Truth to be told, they do take some effort, but it is not as high maintenance as one thinks. We like to say, it takes as much effort as it does your windows, if not less.

Jack and Alice have a whole upper deck of glass railings and my mother-in-law loves her glass CLEAN (and she is Dutch), and you know what they say about Dutch people (Hahaha...just kidding, Mom!) but here's what she has to say about how to clean them, and how often they need cleaning. 

How to Clean the Glass in Your Railings
For the most part, you will find that very little cleaning is necessary. We usually only do spot cleaning and very rarely wash the glass down.

In the Spring, it is recommended that you check your glass for stains and any accumulated winter dirt, use a mild detergent, vinegar and water. Use 1 cup vinegar and a small amount of mild detergent, such as Dawn dish detergent in a 8 litre/2 gallon pail of water.  Use a cloth or a soft scrubber to clean the glass and rinse with water. A garden hose works well. We would dry the wet glass with a towel first, and then with a fresh towel, go through it again, if desired.

If you encounter tougher stains, use household vinegar directly on the stain to remove it and rinse with water.

There are also glass railings where we have our salt water pool. We have 6 grandchildren, and they often come for a swim and make some grand splashes over the summer. With a salt water pool, the salt water tends to leave some stain once the splashes get dried up by the sun. Unfortunately in terms of maintenance around the pool, you will find that there is more work to it especially if vigorous swimming is involved. We keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water around the pool area to get the glass cleaned once the children are done with the swimming. If the salt is not caked on the glass, spraying it down with a hose and scrubbing it at the same time is the fastest way to remove the salt water stains.

How to Clean Your Picket Railings
Generally speaking, there isn't much cleaning involved with picket railings unless your railings are white in colour. If you so wish, in the Spring, rinse the railings with a garden hose. If needed, wash with water and a small amount of Dawn dish detergent in an 8 litre/2 gallon pail and rinse with a garden hose. Allow it to air dry.

Feel free to contact us at 226.984.1081 or [email protected] if you have any questions about cleaning your railings and we will help you as best as we can.

​Written by,
Alice (and Grace