What to Know Before You Buy Garden Railings
Whether you’re working on a private home, a housing development, or a public landscape project, choosing the right garden railings is about more than just looks. It’s about security, durability, and finding the right balance between form and function.
At Smart Steels, we fabricate and install metal garden railings for a wide range of residential and commercial clients across London and the South East. And while we’re always happy to advise on-site, this guide will help you get a head start on the key decisions.
What Are Garden Railings Used For?
It might sound obvious, but garden rails can do a lot more than mark a boundary. The right railing design can:
- Protect children and pets
- Prevent unwanted access
- Support hedging and climbing plants
- Define space between private and shared land
- Improve kerb appeal and property value
They’re often one of the first things people see when approaching a building, so they need to strike the right tone. Whether it’s traditional finials for a period home or minimalist lines for a new build, design matters just as much as function.
Why Choose Metal Garden Railings?
Timber fencing has its place, but for long-term performance, nothing beats metal.
Here’s why:
Stronger than timber or composite
Steel railings resist warping, cracking, or breaking. They’re ideal for high-traffic or public-facing spaces.
Customisable
Every project has different needs. We can match heights, spacing, finial styles, and fixing methods to suit the spec.
Low maintenance
Galvanised and powder-coated finishes help to prevent rust, leading to fewer touch-ups and a longer lifespan.
Secure
Designed properly, metal garden railings provide a clear deterrent without appearing intimidating.
Sustainable
Steel is a recyclable material, and our fabrication process minimises waste by cutting everything to order.
Design Considerations
There’s more to garden railings than height and colour. Here’s what you’ll want to think about:
Style
Are you after something decorative and traditional, or clean and modern? Scrollwork, finials, and flat bar designs can all be tailored to your building type and surrounding landscaping.
Spacing
Railings must look good, but also function safely. We’ll guide you on vertical bar spacing to prevent climbing or squeezing through, especially if children are likely to be nearby.
Fixing Methods
Will your railings be fixed into concrete, stonework, or soft landscaping? We offer a range of posts and brackets to suit, all fabricated in-house.
Finish
Hot-dip galvanising is great for corrosion protection, while powder coating offers colour and weather resistance. We’ll recommend the best option for your site and budget.
Made-to-Measure Metalwork
We don’t do off-the-shelf panels that you’ll need to wrestle into place. At Smart Steels, every set of garden rails is fabricated to order. That means:
- Exact fit to your site measurements
- Smoother install with fewer surprises
- Cleaner finish with no gaps or unsightly joins
- Option to integrate gates, bollards, or decorative panels
Whether you need a few metres of railing for a domestic boundary or hundreds of metres for a commercial perimeter, we can fabricate to your drawings or help you finalise the spec.
Do Garden Railings Need to Meet Any Regulations?
In most residential settings, garden railings under 1 metre in height don’t require planning permission. For taller railings, listed buildings, or conservation areas, it’s worth checking with your local authority first.
If the railings are part of a retaining wall or adjacent to a drop, you may need to comply with safety standards similar to balustrades or guardrails. We’re happy to advise on this as part of our site visit or project planning.
Installation: Done Right First Time
Because we fabricate and install everything ourselves, there’s no finger-pointing between contractors. Our experienced fitters handle:
- Ground prep and levelling
- Core drilling or fixing into brick, stone, or paving
- Alignment and spacing checks
- Final clean-down and client handover
We know the importance of working cleanly, especially on residential or landscaped sites. Our team is polite, punctual, and committed to getting it right the first time.
📞 Ready to Install Garden Railings?
From elegant front garden rails to robust perimeter fencing, Smart Steels designs, fabricates, and installs metal garden railings that last. Every railing is made to measure and built to fit, with quality at every step.
FAQ
Can you match existing garden railings on my property?
Yes. We can take on-site measurements or use photos to replicate older railing styles or ironwork patterns.
What height should garden railings be?
It depends on use. For low-perimeter markings, 600–900 mm is common. For security, 1.2–1.5 m is more typical. We’ll help you decide what suits your project best.
Do you offer powder coating in custom colours?
Absolutely. Black is a classic choice, but we can supply metal garden railings in any RAL colour you need.
What areas do you cover?
We’re based in Mitcham and work across London, Surrey, and the South East. Larger commercial projects can be delivered further afield.
Do you install the railings, or just supply them?
We do both. From design and fabrication to groundworks and final install, everything is handled in-house.
How long do metal garden railings last?
With the right finish, steel railings can last 25 years or more. We’ll recommend the best protective treatment for your site conditions.