Railing replacement in Toronto & East GTA
Rusted iron, rotting wood, wobbly posts — we take the old railing off, dispose of it, and install aluminum picket or glass in its place, built to current Ontario Building Code. Replacements are quoted by photo: text us a few shots and get a real number, usually the same day.
Signs it's time
Movement
If the railing shifts when you lean on it, the anchors or the wood behind them are gone. That's structural, not cosmetic — and it's the railing's one job.
Rust at the base
Iron rails rust from the anchor up — salt sits where the post meets concrete. Once it bubbles at the base, painting is a one-season patch.
Rot and splinters
Wood guards go soft at the post bases and joints first. If a screwdriver sinks in, the structure you'd bolt a new rail to needs attention too — we check before we quote.
How the swap works
- Photos. Text us the existing railing from a couple of angles. We quote from that — including removal at $5/linear ft.
- Measure. We confirm on site, check what the old railing is anchored to, and flag any structural work before anything is ordered.
- Out and in. Old railing off and disposed of, new system installed — usually the same day. No half-finished weekends, no railing-less porch.
Replacing with aluminum picket keeps it simple; glass upgrades the whole face of the house. Costs are broken down in the deck railing cost guide.
Replacement questions, answered
How does quoting a replacement work?
Text us photos of the existing railing — straight on, from the side, and a shot of how it's anchored. That's usually enough for a firm quote without a site visit. Replacement jobs are quoted by photo rather than off a flat rate because the removal and the structure underneath vary house to house.
What does removal of the old railing cost?
Removal and disposal is $5 per linear foot on top of the new railing price. It's in your quote as a line item, not a surprise.
What do you replace old railings with?
One of our three systems: aluminum picket, framed glass, or frameless glass. Most rusted iron porch rails become aluminum picket; most tired wood deck guards become glass or aluminum depending on budget and view.
Will the new railing meet code if the old one didn't?
Yes — that's often the point. A lot of older guards are below today's 36/42-inch heights or have wide openings. The replacement is built to current Ontario Building Code, which also matters for insurance and resale.
Do I need a permit to replace a railing?
Like-for-like replacement of an existing railing usually doesn't require a permit. If the deck or porch structure is being modified, or a new guard is being added where none existed, it can. We'll tell you which side of the line your job is on.
Can you fix just a section?
Sometimes — if posts and anchors are sound, a section swap can work. But where rust or rot has reached the anchor points, partial fixes throw good money after bad and we'll say so. Every estimate includes the $250 base price.
Get a replacement quote by photo
Text a photo of your stairs, porch, or deck and we'll send you a real number — usually the same day.
No deposit necessary · Fully insured & WSIB covered · 5-year workmanship warranty
Request a quote
Fill this in, attach a couple of photos, and we'll come back with a real number — usually the same day.