How Much Does It Cost To Replace Front Porch Railing?

High quality, architecturally correct exterior porch railing costs between $50 and $275 per linear foot for the materials.

This of course covers a wide range of railings from the simple square wood balusters and smaller rail, up to our massive 12″ Poly Rail and 7 1/2″ wide Balusters used on the largest commercial projects.  So let’s get a little more specific.  The below is a rough idea that will help you decide if a new porch railing or replacement make sense for your project.  If it’s in the ballpark, then contact us and we’ll get you an exact quote that is right down to the penny.

Here are a few basic guidelines that will help steer you in the right direction.  Some are pretty obvious:

• Narrower rail costs less than big wide rail
• Skinny balusters and spindles cost less than wider balusters and spindles
• Wood usually costs less than synthetic of the same size
• Square balusters cost less than turned spindles

First we’ll look at the wood balustrade systems, then scroll down to the synthetic railing options.

Let’s start from the lowest cost.  Pictured below is the following: 4″ Wood Balustrade using the 3-piece Rail, and 1 5/8″ Square Balusters.
Rail: $24 per linear foot.
Balusters: $9 each, which equates to about $20 per linear foot of rail.
Add newel posts, shipping, and some options, and you arrive at around $50 per linear foot of porch railing.  This is the lowest cost option we provide for high quality porch railing.

Most people opt for our 4-piece Rail System, which adds the skirt piece underneath the bottom rail.  This adds strength, height, and looks more robust.  This adds a little to the rail but saves on baluster length.  The net result is about a $2 more.  This is why the majority of our customers choose the 4-piece rail that includes the skirt.

Now let’s throw those balusters in a lathe and turn them.  Same size (1 5/8″ wide)
4″ 4-piece Rail: $34 per linear foot.
1 5/8″ Spindles: $18 each, which equates to about $42 per foot of rail.
Add newel posts, shipping, and some options, and your porch railing costs about $90 per linear foot.

Moving up to our more popular 2 1/2″ turned spindles at $34 each, which equates to about $75 per linear foot.  Again adding posts, shipping, and some options and we end up at about $125 per linear foot for your porch railing, which looks something like this:

How much does a larger porch railing cost?  The next size up is our popular 6″ wide 4-piece railing with 3 1/2 x 26″ spindles.  We have sold this system to all 50 states and most Canadian provinces because it is such a beautiful and functional setup.  This rail is $41/foot.  The spindles are $36 each, or $72 per linear foot.  Again adding options, shipping, and other items, you’re at about $135 per linear foot of porch railing.  This is also the largest practical size of balustrade using wood.

Now let’s take a look at the polyurethane balustrade options.  Starting off on the smallest system, it looks something like this: 3 5/8″ railing at $36 per linear foot (for both top and bottom rails), 1 3/4″ square balusters at $46 each, which equates to about $100 per linear foot of rail.  Again adding shipping and options, you’re at about $155 per linear foot.  This is quite a bit more than the wood option in this size, however the cost of wood vs poly are more similar in the larger sizes.

Let’s get a little fancier with the 2 1/2″ spindles.  This go well with either the 3 5/8″ or the 4 1/2″ poly rail sizes, which are pretty much the same price.  The rail is around $35 per foot and the spindles are $46 each, or about $100 per linear foot.  Total with options and shipping, the same as the smaller size above at about $155 per linear foot.

Now to bump to our most popular size, the 5 1/2″ rail and 3 1/2″ spindles.  Rail: $40 per foot (for both the top and bottom rails).  Spindles: $65 each, or $130 per linear foot.  Again with shipping, options, etc. we’re at about $190 per linear foot.  It looks something like this:

Now let’s get into the larger sizes of poly balustrade, which are not available in wood.  Starting with the very popular 7 1/4″ rail paired with the 5 1/4″ Spindles.  Rail: $45 per foot (including both the top & bottom rails).  Spindles: $82 each, or $160 per linear foot.  Total cost with shipping and options around $230 per linear foot.

Lastly let’s look at the very large 12″ poly rail and 7 1/2″ spindles typically used on large banks, university buildings, and the like.  This massive rail runs about $76 per foot.  The 7 1/2″ spindle are $109 each or about $170 per linear foot.  The result with shipping and add-ons is about $275 per linear foot of balustrade.

Cost for Porch Railing Conclusions

The above of course is simply meant as a guide.  Exactly how much does it cost to replace front porch railing?  Email or call with your rail size choice, and your rail lengths.  We’ll send you quote that is exact, right down to the penny, includes all your specific desired options, and delivered to your jobsite.