How about leaving the fences in place and just cutting off the curly doodads?

Thats a fine idea, but the exisiting railings need to come out as they are embedded in the concrete curbs, which are being replaced. Thanks.

Many thanks Beverly, so no glass then?

y- so no glass then?

Go horizontal which works with the predominant lines of the house.

Thanks Shady Willow Farm

This is an old building. It sags here and there. If you do glass the sags flaws will become more apparent. The house needs the style of a railing that will command attention. You may think the plain railing boring......but it draws attention.

If you want something more contemporary consider a thick grid railing.

or consider a pipe railing

Beverly, very many thanks! How did you superimpose your suggestions over the house image - super helpful!!!! Would love to see the others.

Westbury railings. Multiple styles and colors. We went with the Rivera IV line, black fine texture, powder coated aluminum. 3/4 inch square balusters.

Looks great, thanks. What was the number of years guarantee?

Sorry I should have added we are in Toronto, where horizontal railings are not to code.

I looked quick at the DSI website

All Westbury® railing systems are covered by DSI’s Aluminum Lifetime Limited Warranty which includes a five-year fade warranty and includes areas influenced by bodies of saltwater or contaminant conditions.

Ours (deck railings) have been up for almost 3 years and no issues. All we do is wash them down or spray them once or twice a year to get rid of the pollen (ugh..lol) - just mild soap and hose rinse.

Just saw that horizontal railings are not permitted in Toronto but wonder if something like above would be...

I use MS Paint and Remove BG to create any photo adjustments. It's just finding the right photo, cleaning out the background on Remove BG and then pasting it on my photo using MS Paint which is on every Windows computer.

I would have to take a class 🤣

Would love to also hear from anyone who has glass railings as to how much maintenance they require. One company told me they are just like windows.

Lisedv, you did a lot of work many thanks. Funnily we do have an umbrella on the front porch and the shrubs are beautiful and ancient rose of Sharon. The stump was our beloved peach tree, which will be replaced. We grow flowers in the front garden in spring then plant veggies. The narrow curb to the side is filled with raspberries. Cant wait for spring.

Is there a proportion for railing to size of house?

The height for a railing is usually 36 inches. I'm happy you have nice plantings, being spring it's not the best time to judge on what's there but they seemed overgrown for the area, perhaps you can partly trim them down giving the a nice natural shape.

Great idea and thanks again

Do not go horizontal (will make the house look fat) or glass (do you seriously want to clean that all the time?). Salespeople will say anything to make a sale. Two sides of glass, with people and children crapping up both sides whenever they walk through. And that doesn't include the weather. Children pushing on the glass will make you nervous, etc. Lisedv's suggestion looks great.

Here's another railing and this time with your shrubs in bloom...

This looks amazing! Thank you so much!

HU-….146 many thanks, that why we reach out because companies will say anything and I am so over that!

@Lisedv's most recent rendering looks the best. Simple black vertical railings, not too chunky, and a little horizonal extra bar at the top is nice.

And, last but not least, the look with a glass railing...

Just came across these- what do you think?

Lisedv thank you soooo much. Was still trying to figure out how to download a programme for Mac 🤣🤣🤣

I like it but is it legal for the 2nd floor porch?

Probably not 😩, thanks again for all your work, if you ever need any advise re cooking / baking feel free to give me a shout (am retired chef)

Oh thank you for your cooking offer, I might take you up on it... My grandson is a baker and also just graduated this year from cooking school so now also a young chef!

Great, which school?

It has been suggested that we recover the concrete deck with porcelain tiles. In the summer we have many concrete and iron planters that we drag around (too heavy to lift for us now). Anyone have any experience with porcelain scratching? Willl it stand up?