What are you replacing the deck with?

You could do the steps although that's going to also cost $$$

My family have used these PVC brackets that create a barrier and seating at the same time. Pretty inexpensive fix.

If you prefer no railing then probably should consider wider steps. You could landscape around the deck to make step area stand out better kind of routing traffic onto and off the deck at each end. Is there a code requirement on deck height to require a railing?

Yes. Code is 36” and up. We want to still have a stone walkway to the driveway, so we aren’t always walking through the grass to the garage, but you think we should do steps all the way across? Thanks

We will most likely do wood because the full afternoon sun is already brutal, and I hear that composite gets really hot. We are in central Ohio.

We don’t want benches. We like the idea of an open look. Or maybe stick with railings.

I think you need to bite the bullet and get railings. There are quite a few different ones out there now, so you can pick an economical one. I suspect the wide steps will be more $$ than railings.

Did you read that the composites get hot? That would be a problem for me since we have to build a deck soon and that was all I was looking at.

I like the look of the railings. It highlights the traditional look of your home. (Which is lovely, by the way!)

If you want it to be open then you might consider cable railings.

Thank you all for commenting! I was just starting to change my mind, and go back to railings so that I didn‘t have to figure out landscaping. I appreciate everyone’s comments!

This is the front of your house? The railing does not make it more inviting. I would redo the steps to make them wider, and the walkway as well. Get rid of the shrubs, and invest in nice landscaping across the front. What is right inside the front door? Any way to make the entry look better from the outside?

This is the backyard. The front is tudor and stucco

Wood decks get hot too and the sun is a killer on the deck finish. We have a deck all around our pool and this last year we put fake grass all around on top of the wood deck it is awesome keeps the deck much cooloer survivied the brutal Canadian winter so we have dome some more of our 2200 sq ft of deck . The grass we got is made to use on ecks and has drainage holes every 5 ' and the grass itself looks so real and feels great on our feet . We got on Amazon it was not cheap but I think over time the no need for refinishing the deck will pay for it.

For a deck that’s only 17” high, I think railing is overkill. 17” is also a nice height to sit on from the yard side. I like the look and function of long continuous steps but if you’re trying to keep costs down, I’d make the steps maybe 1/3 to half way across and let the rest be a perch to sit. I think eliminating the railing would make your whole backyard look more inviting.

Thanks. Lots to consider. Sounds like either way will work 😀

Boy, 17" high sounds like an ideal stumble height to me -- the eye won't read it as a real drop, but the knees will! If you need easier access to the grassy part of the yard, put a second break and set of stairs, but I would not go without.

Thanks! I’m leaning towards a wooden deck with black/aluminum railing for easier maintenance. I appreciate your comment. We wouldn’t want a guest to fall off!

Our old house had a lower deck and we put stairs to ground and no railing. I’m so glad we had no railing. We had three kids in that house and older parents and not a single person had ant issues on the deck and stairs

Our front porch doesn't have a railing but I'm considering handrails at the steps.

IMO no railing needed. It looks like you have a nice view and any railing is a bit of a obstruction to looking at your nice backyard

We did steps all the way across and rope railings on ends

Looks great! Does it go into pavers?

@empohio into a brick patio

I had a deck like yours and replaced it with a stamped concrete patio. Color can be added; it's very easy to maintain. Good luck! Before and after photos:

We have a TimberTech by Azek deck. It is heat resistant. Hasn’t gotten hot during our hot Long Island, NY summers.

IRC Deck height to require a guardrail is 30” not 36”

Thanks. I misread it