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Robert P Viviano, President, 3G Industries LLC, Maker of Invis-A-Rail
“We believe in staying the course on the simplicity and affordability of our Invis-A-Rail infill system. That is our core. We think it will be more of the same and growing. Our next move will be addressing offering more options.
One option we are looking to have soon is an aluminum top and bottom railing that works seamless, quickly and simply with our Invis-A-Rail infill system.
Another unique option we will have available is curving our system for the average deck builder. Curves are increasing, but only by the elite builders. We want to bring that ability to the masses. Of course in a very simple way.
We also introduced recently our upgraded materials for our ocean front installers. Even the common 316 stainless can “Tea Stain” around the salt water environments.
We have an upgraded version of Invis-A-Rail using Duplex 2205 stainless. This is what is specified for ocean oil rig construction.
So, we will stay with our core system and continue to build opportunity for our deck contractors to enhance design and create more profitability by adding upgrades and flexibility.”
Luke Guittar, VP Sales/Marketing, Absolute Distribution Inc. (ADI)
“We do not expect a dramatic shift away from aluminum railing with vertical pickets. It is too established, too versatile, and too cost-effective to be displaced in the near term
Where we do see movement is around the edges.
Steel panel systems will continue to gain favor as builders prioritize installation efficiency, cost, and overall appearance. Aluminum baluster systems will grow as dealers look for flexible, cost-conscious solutions across a wider range of projects. Cable will continue its steady climb in design-driven applications where preserving sightlines and delivering a clean, modern aesthetic both matter.
While lighting is gaining momentum, it remains underutilized across the category.
Low-voltage systems have advanced to the point where they are easy to install, reliable, and scalable across projects. Adoption has not fully caught up, which creates opportunity. We are focused on helping dealers and contractors incorporate lighting as a standard part of the railing package, not an afterthought.
At ADI, we are not chasing trends. We are focused on making the category more executable through The ADI Advantage, our process that simplifies product selection, tightens the quoting and ordering experience, and supports not only the contractor through installation, but also the builder and dealer sales associates who do not engage with railing often enough to be fully confident. When we make it easier to specify, sell, and deliver railing, the homeowner ultimately benefits with a better outcome.
The companies that win in this category will be the ones that remove complexity. That is where we are investing, and that is how we intend to stay ahead.”
Kevin Harris, AIA, NCARB, Director, Sales & Marketing, AGSstainless.com
“Over the past few years there has been a strong consolidation effort in the decking and railing industry. We expect larger players to continue to acquire brands. We also expect consumer demand for higher quality, more durable, and much more visually impactful railing materials will continue its upward trend. To stay ahead of changing trends, AGS Stainless will continue to educate consumers on the improved visual impact and the tremendous value proposition of 100% offsite fabricated custom stainless railing (custom-prefabrication).”
Michelle Hendricks, Director of Marketing, Deckorators
“From a homeowner’s perspective, open views are likely to remain popular, but people will continue to want a variety of options. We’re focused on developing railing solutions that offer design flexibility for homeowners.
Builders and contractors are continually looking for ways to make installs more time- and labor-efficient. This is leading to the continued development of new types of railing systems that are easier to assemble and require fewer components.
Our Glass Rail Post Kit is one solution that meets the needs of both homeowners and contractors. It offers a premium look for a variety of deck layouts. This ready-to-install kit can be customized based on the glass thickness used—½” glass allows for a completely unobstructed view across the top of the railing, while ¼” glass utilizes our Continuous Top Rail to create a smooth modern line.
These kinds of solutions are driving railing innovation at Deckorators.”
Kalista Malone at Durarail. Durarail is manufactured by Excell Railing Systems Ltd. and sold exclusively through Duradek’s network of contractors.
“Railings are not only a safety requirement, but a key design feature of outdoor living spaces, shaping the look, feel, and functionality of decks, patios, and balconies. We monitor trends in residential and multi-family construction, which have started moving towards sleek materials, minimalist profiles, and view-through systems for a more modern aesthetic.”
Adam Caplinger, Director of Sales, Envision Outdoor Living Products
“The preference for slimmer railing profiles is not a passing aesthetic—it is a fundamental shift in how homeowners and architects think about outdoor space. Slimline railing profiles have become a defining feature of modern residential architecture, emphasizing clean geometry and refined simplicity.
Homeowners don’t want their railing to be the first thing they see when they walk out onto their deck. They want to see their yard, their view, their outdoor space—and they want the railing to frame that experience without dominating it.
Envision’s current launch of Fairway Modern Aluminum Railing is part of a broader commitment to anticipating market evolution rather than reacting to it. Modern Aluminum—a slim-profile, powder-coated aluminum railing system is designed to meet one of the fastest-growing demands in the outdoor living industry: less railing, more view.”
Kym Nosbisch, senior director of marketing at Feeney
“Designers are developing a deeper understanding of how lighting affects mood and overall experience within a space. Because of this, I expect to see continued growth in integrated lighting in outdoor spaces, particularly within railing systems, along with a broader shift toward warmer lighting. We’re seeing a shift away from stark, cool-toned LEDs toward softer, warmer illumination that creates a more inviting atmosphere. Seeing this, we’ve developed our lighting so it’s not a sharp, blue LED light. The diffuser lens softens the light, creating a beautiful, relaxing glow. LEDs are increasingly being made much warmer to evoke a sense of comfort, so they are still an option.”
Meredith Opie, Fiberon Railing, associate product manager
“The push for cleaner sightlines will continue to grow, and the systems that win will be the ones that deliver that without adding install complexity. Homeowners are asking for less visual interruption between them and the view, and that preference is pushing baluster profiles thinner and top rail designs lower and flatter.
Safety remains non-negotiable underneath all of that. The IRC requires that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through any opening in the railing assembly, and any system that chases a minimal look has to do it within those constraints.
Fiberon’s full railing lineup is backed by a 25-year limited performance warranty, which gives everyone a consistent answer when the conversation turns to long-term value. The broader focus is on cohesion: when posts, rails, balusters, and accessories are all designed within a single warranted platform, there are fewer variables to manage and a cleaner install from start to finish.
We’re also designing for a future where railing is as much about beauty and experience as it is about safety. We’re expecting a growing demand for versatile designs with integrated features (like built-in LED lighting or privacy-friendly options with decorative privacy panels or inserts), as people look to make outdoor spaces more usable. In addition, more creative material combinations, like slim aluminum or steel rails paired with composite or woodgrain accents, give homeowners the warmth of wood aesthetics without the upkeep.”
Mike Kunard, co-owner, IG Railing
“For decades, railing has typically been the last choice made on decking projects, and we see that changing with new alternatives in railing being easy to buy. We also see an increase in demand for glass types and hardware options along with smarter lighting systems that integrate with smart home platforms and have the ability to operate harmoniously with other lighting elements on the exterior of the home. At IG Railing, we will fulfill all of those demands on our easy to buy platform through LBM supply chain partners.”
Luke Snyder, product manager, ProWood
“Looking ahead, safety will become more of a selling point, not just a requirement. Homeowners are doing more research and asking more questions, so structural performance is starting to play a bigger role in purchasing decisions.
On the contractor side, simplification will continue to drive innovation. Crews are under constant time pressure, so reliable products they can install faster with greater precision will stand out.
At the same time, clean, modern aesthetics aren’t going anywhere. The challenge for manufacturers will be maintaining that streamlined look while integrating the structural components needed to meet code and performance expectations.
To address these challenges, we recently launched a 4x4 Deck Railing Post Pocket that simplifies post installation at the joist level. It allows builders to install a code-compliant guardrail post within the deck framing while keeping the hardware concealed. The goal is to reduce install complexity while improving both structural performance and the finished look.”
Patrick Ianni, VP of customer operations and product development, Oldcastle APG (RDI)
“We expect railing to continue evolving in three key ways:
(1) Shift from ‘component’ to ‘design driver’ – More homeowners and contractors will begin the design process with railing, not decking, recognizing its impact on the overall experience of the space. This shift toward ‘railing first’ thinking will continue to gain momentum.
(2) Increased demand for high-design, low-maintenance materials – There will be continued growth in composite systems that combine durability, low-maintenance and modern aesthetics. Innovations like AlumiCast are expanding what’s possible by combining architectural style with durability and value, helping contractors stay competitive while meeting homeowner expectations for premium design.
At the same time, features like cable railing systems, pre-assembled railing panels and easy-install railing kits will continue to grow as installers prioritize efficiency and performance.
(3) Greater emphasis on customization and visualization – Homeowners are increasingly expecting to ‘see’ a project before they build, and pros need tools to help them sell and design more efficiently. Visualization platforms, AR tools and modular railing systems will become important in helping customers confidently choose the right solutions.
We remain focused on delivering design-forward innovation paired with real-world performance for pros. That includes:
● Expanding modern, architectural railing systems across materials and price points
● Investing in new technologies that bring premium aesthetics into more accessible categories
● Continuing to develop easy-to-install systems that save time and improve margins for contractors
● Building out visualization and design tools that help both homeowners and pros make more confident, design-led decisions
At a foundational level, our goal is to help shift the industry mindset so that railing is no longer an afterthought, but a deliberate, first-choice design.”
Peter Jonswold - VP & GM, TimberTech Railing, James Hardie
“We saw these trends starting to grow in the past couple of years and have been preparing for this by launching new products that meet these trends with multiple cable infill options, smaller profile top rails as well as privacy screen options. We continue to look at the interior home trends to see what the architectural community is using in the interior spaces to drive our new product road maps for the outdoor living areas as well.
We will continue to look at different railing material types and mixing those materials to drive designs that allow for unobstructed views, ability for privacy all while ensuring a low-maintenance solution.”
Richard Bergman, BComm, LLB, president, Titan Building Products
“Looking ahead, it’s easy as a product developer to get carried away designing fully loaded, premium solutions. But most customers are balancing aspiration with a real budget. They want the best—but they still need to afford it.
We’re also clear on where we fit. We’re not Trex Co. or Simpson Strong-Tie—and we don’t try to be. Our focus is on homeowners and builders who want high-end aesthetics and performance, but need a smarter, more cost-effective path to get there.
And here’s the interesting part: despite the growth in aluminum, composite, and PVC systems, a lot of decks are still built with wood. It’s accessible—but people want less maintenance and a more refined look.
So, our approach is to meet them there.
We’re developing proprietary solutions that allow wood railings to take on many of the benefits of higher-end systems—better durability, cleaner aesthetics, and reduced upkeep—without the full price tag. Our Rail Shield protectors, for example, address the horizontal surfaces that take the most weather exposure, eliminating one of the biggest maintenance issues.
We pair that with our Snap’n Lock aluminum baluster systems for fast, one-person installs, and we’re expanding into horizontal applications to match the growing preference for cleaner, modern lines.
As lighting becomes more integrated, we’re also introducing our new Snap Caps system with a wired LED solution—designed for durability, clean installation, and a more architectural lighting effect, all working seamlessly with our railing components.
At Titan, product development is about balance—delivering the look and performance people want, in a way that’s accessible and practical. Not stripped down, but intelligently simplified.
We’re also continuing to onshore production, with a significant portion now sourced in the U.S. and Canada. That matters to us—not just for supply chain stability, but because we take pride in how our products are made.
Ultimately, we see the future of railing as making great design and performance more attainable—and that’s where we’re focused.”
Mike Onderko, Senior Director, Product Management for Trex Co.
“We expect railing preferences to continue evolving toward a balance of clean aesthetics, low maintenance and high performance – much like what we’ve seen across decking. Homeowners are increasingly drawn to streamlined, modern profiles with unobstructed views, which is driving demand for horizontal infills such as cable, rod or glass and minimalist composite systems in neutral color palettes.
At the same time, performance expectations are rising.
Railing is no longer just a safety feature. It’s an extension of the outdoor living space. That means greater interest in integrated lighting, durable materials that can withstand extreme weather, and systems that resist fading, staining and corrosion over time.
We’re also seeing more demand for cohesive, whole-deck solutions, where railing seamlessly complements decking, fascia and accessories in both style and performance.
To stay ahead of these trends, Trex is focused on continuous innovation across both design and engineering. We’re continuing to expand what is already the industry’s most comprehensive railing portfolio, offering systems that span everything from entry-level steel and classic composite to premium aluminum, cable and glass. This breadth gives contractors and homeowners more flexibility in materials, infill options and customization, while ensuring every component works together as part of a complete, high-performance system.
Recent additions include longer 10-foot configurations of Trex Select T-Rail, designed to optimize sightlines on larger decks, along with new Trex Select All-In-One Post Kits in Charcoal Black and White to provide added jobsite flexibility. We’ve also introduced Trex Select Steel Mesh Panels, bringing a mixed-material, industrial-inspired aesthetic that continues to gain traction in modern outdoor living design.
Just as important, we’re investing in technologies that enhance durability and simplify installation, because ease of use is just as critical as aesthetics. Ultimately, staying ahead of changing trends comes down to listening closely to contractors. By focusing on streamlined product systems, expanded design options and performance-driven innovation, we’re making it easier to deliver outdoor spaces that meet evolving homeowner expectations while keeping projects efficient and profitable.”
Rob Mitchell, president & CEO, Vista Railing Systems Inc.
“Over the next several years, I expect railing preferences to continue moving toward cleaner architectural lines, more design flexibility, and materials that deliver long-term durability with minimal maintenance. Homeowners are placing a much greater emphasis on outdoor aesthetics than they did even five years ago.
Railing is increasingly viewed as a design element that defines the space, rather than simply a safety feature. As a result, builders are looking for systems that offer multiple infill options—such as glass, cable, and contemporary metal profiles—allowing them to tailor the look of each project.
At the same time, contractors continue to prioritize products that install efficiently and perform reliably over time. Materials like powder-coated aluminum are gaining momentum because they provide strength, corrosion resistance, and consistent quality while reducing long-term maintenance for homeowners.
At Vista Railings, our strategy is to stay ahead of these trends by continuing to invest in design-forward railing systems that are both visually refined and builder-friendly. By focusing on innovation, quality manufacturing, and strong dealer support, we aim to help builders deliver outdoor spaces that look exceptional and perform for decades.”
