Decks With Horizontal Rails Explained

Horizontal rail styles offer an enhanced look and feel for modern decks. The horizontal rails draw the eye along the length of the railing to make the deck appear streamlined. Within the horizontal railing category, the design choices are nearly endless. From a range of infill styles and materials to post profiles to finish options, these railings are versatile and ready to complete any deck project you can dream up.

Their versatility makes them an ideal choice for indoor and outdoor spaces, and they can be integrated into designs in a range of industries, including education, hospitality, medical, residential, and more.

Take a look at these stylish ideas for decks with horizontal rails to get design inspiration for your next project.

Customizable Railing Profiles

The top rail in a horizontal railing system is there to offer a place to rest hands or to create more support if needed. In the PGA Headquarters deck design, the CUBE Cable railing system features a slim top rail with a rectangular profile. The black posts and top rail create a dramatic contrast to the stainless steel cable infill and come together to support the overall design concept.  

Spectator Support

The stadium at the Wylie ISD High School integrated a deck with horizontal rails at the top of the seating sections. The CIRCA Cable railing provides improved sightlines for spectators while it prevents them from falling onto the fans below. To meet building code requirements and increase the amount of support available for fans, the design also integrates the FSR free standing railings system where additional handrails are needed.  

Configuration Options to Fit the Space

While railings are often a straight run, some designs require curved configurations. In this balcony area at University of North Texas 1 O’Clock Lounge, the horizontal deck railing curves to fit the space perfectly. The CUBE Wire Mesh infill features long horizontal openings within a signature box frame and is suspended between the square posts to create a modern space with the necessary safety and a clean, sharp look.

Durable Enough for Exterior Projects

Exterior applications require durable materials that can stand up to the elements. In the Oklahoma City Pedestrian Bridge installation, the railing has the added task of standing up to moisture from the river below along with any wind, rain, and sunshine that comes its way. The CUBE Cable Railings is up to the job and runs the length of the bridge. This horizontal deck railing design also incorporates the iRAIL Linear system to provide a lighted experience. 

Supports Mixed Material Designs

A far cry from standardized prefabricated railings, the BLADE Multiline railing system at Dick’s Sporting Goods mixes a wood top rail with stainless steel multiline infill, and a matte black powder coat finish on the vertical posts. This mixture of different materials is the perfect complement to the open design of the store which features light wood floors and interior brick features. 

Installation at Scale

In this stunning example of horizontal deck railings in action, the TEE Cable railing system was installed on all three levels of The Laura Apartments’ pedestrian bridge, illustrating how these railings are designed to scale. The integrated iRail Linear system lights up the railing at night to provide superior visibility and enhance the contemporary aesthetics that the railing offers. 

Suitable for a Range of Spaces

Through this article, we’ve showcased decks with horizontal rails in a variety of applications, schools, pedestrian bridges, stadiums, retail, and, in the above example, medical. Designing a space to include a deck with horizontal railing gives you a large amount of design flexibility while also offering the safety necessary for all users. The clean lines and improved sitelines create a modern and welcoming space with nearly endless customization options. 

Discover VIVA Railings’ High-Quality, Architectural Railing Solutions

Horizontal deck railings are a high-quality, architectural option for indoor and outdoor applications alike. Our railings solutions allow you to design a deck with horizontal rails that fit your design specifications by providing a range of infill options, choice of top rail profiles, post style options, different finishes, and contemporary aesthetics.  

Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to learn about our horizontal deck railings and see how they can enhance your project.