Sorry neither one. The style in picture is just right. You can duplicate that look. A large pair of posts, then metal railing and balusters. Go to a supply house and look at the parts and pieces and design your own.

What you currently have looks best and is charming and more eye pleasing. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Neither for the reasons you mentioned. Have you walked the neighbourhood? I could see a traditional style that doesn't overwhelm, yet is interesting.

Are you changing the railing style because you'll also looking to change its material? I know wrought iron can be high maintenance, especially in certain climates. If so, know that wrought aluminum also exists. Agree with @Maureen: walk the neighbourhood to see the styles out there. Choosing an incongruous option for your townhouse won't add value to it.

@tartanmeup our current one already got removed. It was cheap and ugly. The swirls are actually three doors down and someone across the street has the horizontal.

The horizontal looks institutional.

Imo, the horizontal suits a modern or contemporary entrance much better. If these were my only two options, I'd go with the swirls.

I agree with everyone else‘s opinions posted so far here so my vote is for option #3 - something else. Neither of the two styles you offer for vote work with the style of building shown. Your stated concerns are correct - horizontal is too modern & the swirls are too fussy.

Neither rail would complement the home. One is to fussy frilly for architecture of your home and the other to modern industrial more for a loft

Okay, so option 3 - ie something else. What do you all suggest other than the old standby? These things cost a small fortune and the cost of taking off the brick veneer and repointing took most of the budget here. Thank you for your help.

Too much IMO do something very similar to what your inso pic shows why are you trying to make this a big deal. BTW what are the other railings like in the row of townhouses.That last pic is absolutely wrong for your home.

@stegonwheels - I like your option 3 much better so I’ll disagree with Pro @Patricia Colwell Consulting. But, she has a point - what do nearby railings look like? And, reading your original post again my understanding is that is not your townhouse in the picture. Can we please see the structure on which this new railing will be installed? Even though I’m liking the latest style you posted, it is substantially ”beefier” than the traditional style on the building you show us. That heftier railing might not be the best so it’d be very helpful to see the building.

@KW PNW Z8 this is our building before and it’s current under construction, so you can’t see much of it. Here’s the brick though. New door to come.

@stegonwheels - it’s not the gray brick one in the top pic but the red brick one at right & in bottom pic? Sorry to be so demanding for info but the color makes a huge difference on railing style choices!

@KW PNW Z8 not at all- it is actually the same building! we removed the grey veneer to reveal the original red brick.

Does the company you are using for railing have stock design or are you going custom? If u are working with stock style maybe post the company choices and people can help u narrow down.

@stegonwheels - you changed & removed pics from your last post! Sneaky 😉 @User idea / question is good one. I do like the 3rd choice you offerred bc it seems to balance the weight of cornice at top of building. But, it looks like this 3rd choice is hollow in back? As in the spindles aren’t solid? Or is it just the fence railing that way & stair railing is solid?

In my area I have local shops that buy components (cast iron ornaments, handrail, posts) and assemble them custom. The cast iron ornaments aren’t really that expensive (it’s easy to say that about someone else’s project)

Boy, no one will see the railing with that horrible mess of wires. Sure would push to get that unraveled. But Hallett is also saying what I was saying earlier. You can buy the components and design what appeals to your eye and fits into the neighborhood. Removing the gray paint is great move. Use black for railings and front door plus your high beefy roof line trim. It will be worth it.

WOW! I admire your desire to restore your historic row house. LOTS of work ahead of you. Do your research and try and find a local iron worker/metalworker business that can do something that will suit your soon to be beautiful home. Years ago I needed to do a railing on our back porch. I discovered a fabulous Italian family that does custom and semi custom ironwork. The business is nearly 100 years old. Every day that I run my hand up that railing, I am glad I could afford their semi custom work (I couldn’t afford their custom work!). My home deserves it. Yours does too! Good luck in your search. Take your time. Do it right! BRAVO!

I agree that neither of your two options work--one is too modern and the other too ornate. Great project--I agree with ptreckel, search out the best quality and style you can afford and do it right!