Your home is an expression of who you are, from the paint on the wall to the flooring style to the throw pillows on the sofa. Whether your style is minimalist or eclectic, monochromatic or a kaleidoscopic array of colors, you've found ways to infuse your home with it. So why would the outside rooms of your home be any different? If you have a deck or patio, they should also be a reflection of who you are and your personal style. There's one good way to do that which most people don't think about: decorative railings.

Traditionally, railings around a deck or patio were a purely functional afterthought. But now quality manufacturers understand that railings are just as much about creating a certain look as they are performing a function. Curved balusters for railings are unique enough that some people are hesitant to try them, but there are lots of choices available today. It's now possible to find a curved baluster style that will fit your particular style, no matter what it is, and give your deck or patio the soft lines to flow seamlessly with the rest of your outdoor space.

When to Choose Curved Balusters for Your Deck or Patio

Our first home had an entirely wooden deck and railing with straight, plain wood balusters. It added nothing in the way of ambience to an otherwise beautiful backyard and deck. In our new home, we decided to go with a curved style of baluster that flows with the design of our deck and gives our backyard some personality. I think it’s made all the difference in how much we enjoy spending time outdoors now. But it’s true that curved balusters suit some decks better than others. You might especially want to consider curved balusters if:

• The contours of your deck are curved: If you want to continue the flow of the rounded edges of your deck, going with a subtle curved metal baluster is a great way to do that. And if your style is more a mish-mash of traditional and modern styles, sometimes matching a sharp-edged, symmetrical-style deck with the soft, romantic curves of a baluster in a different color can give your deck a unique look that reflects that combination of styles.
• If your home is a contemporary or traditional style: Curved railings are usually made out of steel and are narrower and more streamlined than wood or plastic balusters. This streamlined looks goes surprisingly well with contemporary style homes. While the overall aesthetic of contemporary tends to be minimalist and often monochromatic, a curved baluster can give you clean lines while softening the overall look of your deck. In traditional style homes, curved balusters fit right in with their soft, decorative lines.
• If you don’t want to splurge on the rest of your deck: You can spend a lot of money redoing your deck, or you can add a unique railing design like curved balusters and get an updated, revitalized deck with of minimum of work and cost. Curved balusters, in my mind, are excellent at upgrading the whole look of a deck, taking it from schlumpy and bland to eye-popping elegant. They automatically add ornateness to your deck, meaning you might be able to get away without replacing your deck furniture. And if your deck itself isn’t in the best shape, a unique railing style will draw the eye, distracting from those splintered boards.

Metal Curved Baluster Shapes

When you decide to go with a unique railing design like one with a curved baluster, you'll need to decide what type of curve best suits your home. Three styles I've seen are:

• Belly: This style is distinguished by two curves, one sharp near the top of the baluster, and one smoother rounder curve toward the bottom. This style is distinctive and very decorative and is for those who want an eye-catching look.
• Bow: This style has a single curve, like a wooden bow when pulled back slightly. This gives it a more subtle appearance than the belly style, but a softer look than the standard straight baluster.
• S-Shaped: This style is more uncommon than the ones above, but it’s exactly as it sounds--a metal baluster in the shape of an S. This is a more ornate baluster style that works great for stairs or areas of your deck where you really want to highlight a design feature.

What to Look for in a Curved Metal Deck Baluster

If you’ve ever built a house, you know there are endless decisions to make about the design and style of everything that you use in your home. Sometimes the choices can be overwhelming, but in the end, you need to know that the product you’ve chosen is excellent from an aesthetic perspective and from a quality perspective. I know I chose my home’s baluster style just as much for its durability as for its style. Here’s what to look for in a baluster that’s durable, high-quality, and will last without maintenance for years:

• Galvanized steel with a zinc phosphate coating: Most manufacturers will start with galvanized steel (galvanization uses a zinc coating to protect the steel from corrosion), but some will add a zinc phosphate pre-coat on top of the galvanization as a further protection, which also provides a base layer that other coatings can bond to.
• Moisture-resistant e-coating: The best manufacturers will use a coating process called e-coating that provides an extra level of corrosion protection beneath the powder coating, making these balusters extra durable and virtually maintenance-free.
• UV-resistant powder coating: A high-quality powder coating is extremely tough and durable and does an excellent job of protecting the metal beneath from UV rays. While it can be slightly porous to moisture, an e-coat beneath it solves this problem, leaving you worry-free.
• Fascia mount installation (surface mount): If you want to install your curved balusters yourself, surface mount balusters are a good choice as they’re easy to install with just some screws. Surface mounts work well great for railings that are on a second level where you don’t want to drill into the surface of your deck, potentially causing water leakage.

There's no better time than the summer to redo your deck or patio with beautiful curved metal balusters. Whether you want a railing baluster style that adds ornateness and interest to your deck, you want something that better matches your home's unique style, or you want a cost-effective deck upgrade, curved balusters are a good way to go.

If you’re looking for a variety of style and finish choices as well as high-quality protective coatings with a good warranty, Fortress Building Products is an excellent choice. Whether you are looking for a belly-style baluster in antique bronze or a bow style in gloss black, you can depend on the quality and durability of Fortress products. And if you decide to go all out and upgrade your deck as well, or take on other projects around the home and yard this summer, Fortress Building Products sells unique, high-quality composite decking, fencing, and ornamental hardware, so you can make the rest of your home as beautiful as your new railing balusters.