Railings · Ottawa
Railings that frame the view.
Aluminum, glass and cable railings for new decks and old ones. Safe, code-compliant and never needing paint.
Railings at a glance
- Styles3aluminum pickets, glass and cable
- Guard height900–1,070 mmdepending on deck height
- FinishPowder-coatedno painting or staining
- Our warranty5 yearswritten workmanship warranty
Why it matters
The first thing people notice.
Railings are a safety system first: they have to meet code for height, strength and opening sizes. But they're also what you look through every time you sit on your deck, so the style makes a big difference.
We install railings on the decks we build and as upgrades on existing decks, anchored properly into the frame so they stay solid for years.
- Aluminum pickets. Clean lines, powder-coated colours and almost no upkeep.
- Glass panels. Nothing between you and the view. Great for lake and backyard views.
- Cable railings. A modern, open look at a lower cost than glass.
- Stair & gate railings. Matched handrails and self-closing gates.
What's included
Every railing job includes
A railing is only as strong as what it's fastened to. Here's how we install ours.
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Layout & measuring
Post spacing and heights planned to code and to the lines of your deck.
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Solid post anchoring
Posts through-bolted or blocked into the frame, not just screwed to the rim.
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Code compliance
Heights, openings and loads checked for the height of your deck.
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Cleanup & warranty
Old railings removed and hauled away, plus a written 5-year workmanship warranty.
Styles & options
Match your deck, windows or trim.
Black is our most popular colour because it matches modern window frames, but aluminum railings come in a range of powder-coated finishes. We bring swatches to your consultation.
Railing rules in Ottawa- Picket railings
Classic look in black, white or bronze. - Frameless or framed glass
Clear views with easy cleaning. - Cable infill
Thin stainless cables, modern and open. - Drink rails
A wide top cap for drinks and plants. - Post-cap lights
Soft lighting for evenings. - Privacy panels
Solid or frosted sections where you need them.
Railings compared
Aluminum, glass, cable and wood compared.
Every style has to meet the same code. Here’s how they differ in upkeep, view and Ottawa weather.
| Railing type | Upkeep | View | In an Ottawa winter | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum pickets | Very low | Good, with slim pickets | Powder coat resists snow and salt; never needs paint | Most decks and stairs |
| Glass panels | Low | Clearest | Tempered glass handles cold; snow can pile against panels | Views of the yard, trees or water |
| Cable infill | Low | Very open | Cables can need re-tensioning as seasons change | Modern decks with a view |
| Wood spindles | Higher | Moderate | Absorbs moisture; joints loosen over time | Traditional wood decks on a budget |
- Powder-coated aluminumA baked-on finish in black, white or bronze. It won’t rust or need paint, and touch-up kits cover small chips.
- Framed or frameless glassFramed glass sits in aluminum top and bottom rails. Frameless systems use heavier panels in clamps or channels for an almost invisible edge.
- Cable tensionStainless cables run between end posts stiff enough to hold the tension, with intermediate supports to limit flex.
- Top rails and drink railsA wide top cap gives you a ledge for drinks and planters and stiffens the run.
- Stair handrailsStairs need a graspable handrail as well as guards, matched to the railing style.
- GatesSelf-closing, self-latching gates keep kids and pets off the stairs.
Built for Ottawa
Railing rules and Ottawa weather.
A railing has two jobs: keep people safe and survive the weather. The Ontario Building Code requires a guard when a deck is more than 600 mm above the ground. Guards must be at least 900 mm high for decks up to 1.8 m above grade and 1,070 mm above that, and openings must be small enough that a 100 mm sphere can’t pass through.
Glass and cable suit decks that look onto ravines, ponds or the river, while picket railings are the practical choice for families with small children and pets, since pickets are easy to see and hard to squeeze through. Many homeowners mix styles: glass on the side facing the view, pickets on the sides facing neighbours, and matching handrails on the stairs.
Winter adds its own loads. People lean on railings on icy stairs, and drifting snow pushes against glass and pickets. That’s why posts are fastened through the frame with blocking behind them, not just screwed to the outside of the deck.
Railings and permits
When a deck needs a building permit, the railing is part of it: the drawings show guard heights, post spacing and how posts attach to the frame, and the inspector checks the guards at the final inspection.
If you’re replacing the railing on an existing deck, we confirm with the City whether a permit applies to your project. Either way, the new guard is built to the current code.
Ottawa deck permit guide- Salt and corrosion. Front-porch and walkway railings near salted driveways see the most corrosion. Powder-coated aluminum and stainless cable hardware stand up to it.
- Snow against glass. Glass panels are set with drainage gaps at the bottom so meltwater runs off.
- Icy stairs. A graspable handrail on every stair run gives a secure hold in winter.
- Post anchoring. Posts are through-bolted to the frame with blocking, so they stay rigid as the wood shrinks and swells through the seasons.
- Frost movement. A railing is only as straight as the deck under it. Footings below the frost line, around 1.2 m in Ottawa, keep posts plumb.
How we install
A railing install, step by step.
On a new deck, railings go in as part of the build. On an existing deck, we schedule the install once made-to-measure materials arrive.
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Measure
Site visit
We measure every run, stair and corner, and check that the frame can anchor new posts securely.
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Design
Style and code check
You choose the style, colour, gates and lighting; we confirm guard heights and openings for your deck height.
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Order
Made-to-measure materials
Aluminum sections and glass panels are ordered to your measurements.
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Prep
Tear-out and blocking
Old railings come off and blocking is added inside the frame wherever a new post will land.
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Install
Posts, infill and handrails
Posts are through-bolted, then rails, pickets, glass or cables, handrails and gates go on.
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Handover
Final check
We test every post for rigidity, clean the glass and walk the finished railing with you.
What affects the price
What makes a railing cost more or less.
Railings are priced by the style you choose and how much of it your deck needs. Our Ottawa deck cost guide and estimator covers how railings fit into the overall price of a deck.
On an older deck, plan for the frame as well as the railing. Posts on older decks were often fastened only to the outside of the rim, so adding blocking or new posts is common, and that work is quoted as its own line so you can see it.
Building new? Pair your railing with composite deck installation. Upgrading an older deck? See deck repair and re-decking. We install railings across the region, including glass deck railings in Orleans and aluminum railings in Stittsville.
Deck cost guide and estimator- Railing styleGlass and cable cost more than aluminum pickets or wood.
- Total lengthRailings are priced by the run, so long or wraparound decks need more.
- Stairs and handrailsSloped stair sections and graspable handrails add parts and labour.
- Posts and cornersMore corners and changes in direction mean more posts.
- Gates and lightingSelf-closing gates and post-cap or rail lights are add-ons.
- Existing deck conditionOlder frames may need blocking or repairs before new posts can go in.
Seasonal care
Caring for your railings through Ottawa’s seasons.
Aluminum, glass and cable railings need very little care, but a quick check each season keeps them safe and looking sharp.
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Spring
Check that every post is still rigid and that gates close and latch on their own. Wash aluminum with mild soap and water and rinse off salt residue, especially on front-porch and walkway railings.
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Summer
Clean glass panels with a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth, and skip scrapers or scouring pads that can scratch. Check cable railings for slack once the weather warms up.
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Fall
Clear leaves from bottom rails and glass channels so water can drain, and snug up any fasteners that have loosened. Touch up any chips in the powder coat before winter.
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Winter
Keep snow from piling high against glass and pickets, and keep stair handrails clear so they can be used on icy days. Don’t chip ice off railings with metal tools.
Projects
Railings we’ve installed
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Ryan's project
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Composite deck with black railing
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Composite walkway deck with post lights
How high does a deck railing need to be in Ottawa?
Under the Ontario Building Code, decks more than 600 mm (about 2 ft) above the ground need a guard. Guards are generally at least 900 mm high for decks up to 1.8 m above grade and 1,070 mm for higher decks. We design every railing to meet the code for your deck.
Are glass railings OK in Ottawa winters?
Yes. Tempered glass panels in an aluminum frame handle cold, snow and ice without trouble. They do need an occasional clean, and snow can build up against them, so we leave proper drainage gaps at the bottom.
Can you replace the railing on my existing deck?
Yes. We check that the deck frame can anchor new posts securely, then remove the old railing and install the new one. If the posts need extra blocking, we'll add it.
Aluminum or wood railings?
Wood railings cost less upfront but need staining and tend to loosen over time. Aluminum costs more but is stronger, never needs paint and keeps a clean look for decades. Most of our clients choose aluminum or glass.
Do I need a railing on a low deck?
The Ontario Building Code requires a guard when a deck is more than 600 mm above the ground. Lower decks don’t need one by code, but many homeowners add a railing or a built-in bench along the edge for comfort, especially with young kids.
Other services
Pair it with
Composite decks
Low-maintenance boards that never need staining.
Deck repair & replacement
Repairs, re-decks and full rebuilds on proper footings.
Pergolas & covers
Shade, privacy and lighting that turn a deck into a room.
Last updated:
Free quote
Call or text for a free quote.
613-806-4000Talk to the people who'll actually build your deck. Prefer to write? Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day.
- Call 613-806-4000
- Text 613-806-4000
- hello@ryanscontracting.com
- Mon–Fri, 7:30 am – 5 pm
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- Findlay Creek
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