Why Use Vinyl Railings?

Appearance

• Vinyl railings usually are designed to look similar to painted wood, and some products have the look of natural wood. If you buy a quality vinyl railing from a reputable manufacturer, people will have a hard time distinguishing it from wood. Vinyl also is versatile, so you can buy your railings in many styles, colors and forms.

Durability

• Vinyl doesn't degrade because of weather, unlike wood that breaks down and rots, and unlike metal that can rust. Vinyl railings don't warp, peel or discolor. When these railings first were available, ultraviolet light from the sun caused deterioration, but manufacturers devised treatment methods to prevent this from happening. Vinyl railings and fencing now are typically made of UV-protected material. Some manufacturers provide limited lifetime warranties for up to 20 years.

Maintenance

• Easy maintenance is the name of the game with vinyl railings. You don't have to wax, polish, sand, stain or paint them. You do need to wash the railings occasionally because they may accumulate dirt, mildew and green algae that impairs their appearance. Simply use a garden hose, mild detergent and a soft cloth. Minor scratches don't show, and you can wipe scuff marks off with a household cleanser. For tough marks, use a bleach and detergent mix diluted with water. Even paint can typically be removed from the vinyl railings with mild detergent, but if that doesn't work, a paint thinner should do the trick.

Additional Advantages

• Vinyl railing has five times the tensile strength of wood, according to Veranda Vinyl Fencing. Tensile strength involves resistance to weight while the material is stretched, such as if you accidentally back into the railing with your garden tractor. This advantage is boosted with the flexibility of vinyl, which is four times as flexible as wood. Dark-colored vinyl railing can become soft in high heat, but products are available with a heat-reflective component that reduces this problem.