Ask Matt

Hi Matt,

My husband and I just bought an unfinished new house and they didn’t install the front steps. There are only 4 steps and we don’t have kids, so we want to just leave it as is. What are your thoughts on this?

Kate, Winnipeg

Hey Kate,

Unfortunately to be compliant with the National Building Code of Canada, if you have four or more steps on a single-dwelling unit, you are required to have a front railing. By not doing this you open yourself up to being fined, or worse, liable if anyone is injured. Refer to the article below that includes the most important things homeowners need to be aware of when installing front step railing:

Hey Matt,

My mother is about to turn 90 and she’s had that iron railing on her front steps since we were kids. The other day she slipped because a post came loose. Could I take some adhesive filler to make it more sturdy?

Dave, Winnipeg

Hey Dave,

When it comes to the safety of your family it’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution. It sounds like the railing is in need of being replaced to meet safety standards and ensure the wellbeing of your mother. We have both self install and full installation options. If you are looking for the basic picket front step railing for the standard 4 steps, the cost will be approximately $700. Box stores generally offer a similar product for $900 and up; potentially saving you $200 or more. Feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to answer any questions, Or leave your information with us under “free quote” and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Hey Matt,

I have a deck that is 12 by 20 feet and need railing on two sides. I haven’t decided between picket and glass, and would like a rundown of what to expect when ordering through you.

Rebecca, Winnipeg

Hey Rebecca,

The first step is filling in a few of your details and uploading a quick sketch of the deck under “free quote” on our website. After that, someone will email or call you with an estimate – usually within 24 hours. One of our knowledgeable staff can talk you through all the benefits of each type of railing, and answer any questions or concerns you might have. For picket railing, we usually have it installed in about 2 weeks, and for glass railing, installation is usually within a month’s time. We require a 50% deposit before we start the work, so the sooner you are ready to start, the sooner we can install that railing for you!

Benefits of our powder coated aluminum railing:

• Safe and durable
• Customize to any space
• Sleek, elegant design
• Lifetime warranty
• Highest safety rating
• Compliant with National Building Code of Canada
• Low environmental impact
• 6 color options

Benefits of glass railing:

• Ability to see beautiful views of your neighborhood
• Open feel and look
• Generally easy to clean – recommended to use glass cleaner once per week
• Several options of privacy glass

Benefits of picket railing:

• Amazing value for price
• Very little maintenance – recommended to clean with a damp sponge twice a year
• Can always change to glass at any time by simply removing pickets