Aluminum deck railings are nothing new, especially when portions of the deck align with the perimeter of a property and one section of aluminum fencing can easily run into more aluminum fencing along the edges of the deck. It’s a pretty design and is primarily seen in black. As such, does it get too hot in the sun?
Aluminum, on its own, throws off heat very well. It’s the reason that we use it so much in ovens for baking. However, painted black changes things as black is highly heat-absorbent so there will be an increased level of heat retention over a straight, aluminum rail.
So it’s the color of the rail over the aluminum in the rail itself. In general terms, the darker the color of the rail, the more heat will be absorbed and the hotter the rail will get. On its own, an aluminum rail can sit in the sun all through the day and still remain comfortable to touch.
It’s partly because of aluminum’s ability to shed heat that it is one of only two, primary metal railings for both gated properties and gated decks; the other being vinyl.
What is the Thermal Conductivity of Aluminum?
Aluminum has a very high thermal conductivity, like copper, steel, and iron. What separates aluminum from those metals, however, is the density and weight of aluminum. There’s just not much to this metal and it conducts heat rapidly throughout itself before releasing it out into the air.
This is known as aluminum’s thermal mass. Steel, on the other hand, is highly dense and holds on to much of that heat, despite the fact that its thermal conductivity is right up there with aluminum.
That’s because steel has a very high thermal mass, whereas aluminum has a very low thermal mass. This is more along the lines of a material’s ability to retain heat rather than the material’s density, but the two are related as denser metals tend to hold heat longer than metals with less density.
Most people know that aluminum is used in electrical wiring but they’ve always assumed that it’s on the lower end. That understanding is related to the fact that when you take a peek at the National Electrical Code for Ampacity, aluminum wire always has a lower ampacity than copper wire of the same diameter.
That’s only half the tale. Aluminum has better conductivity than copper when you equalize the weight. So a copper wire that’s 3 ounces will have less conductivity than an aluminum wire that’s also 3 ounces and all other things are equal.
What is the Lifespan of Aluminum Railings?
Now that you know aluminum railings conduct heat so exceptionally that they don’t remain hot, how long do they last? Powder-coated aluminum railings are one of the longest-lasting railing options that you can purchase and they will last for over 20 years if well-maintained.
When you take a closer look at aluminum and the properties of this shiny metal, it’s not hard to see why it has the potential to last so long.
- Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor, getting rid of it quickly
- It is highly resistant to corrosion
- Aluminum is resistant to rain
- Aluminum doesn’t rust
- It’s highly resistant to UV rays
- Considered to be one of the longest-lasting fence railing products on the market
That’s a lot of positives in the “win” category for aluminum and it’s why you so often see it in everyday use as a fencing or rail system. Many times, when you see a home that has black fencing all the way around it, you assume that it is black painted, cast iron.
In the vast majority of instances, you would be half right. In all likeliness, it is black painted aluminum and it looks pretty sharp. It’s also a very low-maintenance metal. You don’t have to do much to keep it well taken care of.
When aluminum is shaped into the fence pieces that you will eventually purchase, it is rigorously cleaned and covered in a powder coating. This coating takes what is already a highly durable metal and protects it even more.
Since it is such a low-maintenance metal, you will only have to clean it occasionally and even that much doesn’t require too much elbow grease.
If the attraction towards using aluminum as a deck railing weren’t enough, it’s also a very low-cost alternative to other railing options. That’s true in both the long term and the short term. It’s one of the cheaper metals that you can purchase and since the maintenance is so low, long-term costs or minimized.
Pros and Cons of Aluminum Railing
You know most of the pros of aluminum railing by now, however, there are some drawbacks that are worth considering. Fortunately, at least you know that it will never get hot.
| Pros | Cons |
| Far stronger than the metal is credited for Extremely lightweight Resistant to corrosion, weather, UV rays, and time Low maintenance Eco-friendly Stylish Durable | Needs to be installed correctly, as the light weight can be problematic |
It speaks volumes that there isn’t very much that can be pointed to in the negative concerning aluminum. The cons are very few. There are arguments that can be made for steel, wood, and vinyl railings, however, each comes with nearly as many cons as pros.
Of course, if you prefer one aesthetic over another then that’s a different story altogether. Aluminum railings are great in terms of versatility, not only in how you use them but also in aesthetic design choices.
As a lightweight metal, it’s significantly easier to shape, during the manufacturing process, than other metals. And, it’s the only metal railing that can sit in the sun all day long and not put blisters on your hand if you happen to lean on it.
Final Thoughts
Aluminum doesn’t get very hot when it sits out in the sun for long periods. If you paint it black, that’s a bit of a different story. However, even with black paint on it, it’s still a better alternative to steel, as it simply won’t get as hot.
Overall, there’s very little reason to not go for aluminum railing if your mind is set on metal. It’s one of the most popular fencing and railing options available for a very good reason.
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