The best way to decorate porch railings is to do so in a way that complements the architecture of your home. As for upkeep, composite porch railings require the least upkeep, while anything painted will need touch ups every three to five years, with total renovations every five to 10 years. However, this is not a hard and fast rules. This means that period homes are more likely to suit painted wooden or wrought iron porch railings, while modern homes are more likely to suit metal porch railings. The best material for a porch railing is one that suits both the architecture of your home and the amount of upkeep you are prepared or able to dedicate to your porch. What is the best material for a porch railing? In all cases, ensure you stick to height regulations in your locale. How tall should a porch railing be?Ī porch railing should be at least 3ft in height to be safe, especially if the porch is raised in California, deck railings are required to be 42in high. It also means that the lovely planting in the borders beyond the porch can be enjoyed fully,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. 'This type of design is particularly to suited to porches where there is little possibility of injury from falling, particularly for little ones. If you are looking for cottage porch ideas, you could go for an intricate design, but if yours is a small, quite enclosed space, a pared back porch railing will be more space-enhancing and will allow more light into the porch.