Railings & Fencing
About Railings & Fencing
Railings and fencing that hold up in Canadian conditions - through freeze-thaw cycles, salt exposure, and years of UV - need to be specified correctly from day one. The wrong choice means callbacks, repainting, and replacement; the right choice means a finished project your clients are still happy with a decade later. Pro Materials supplies Imperial Kool-Ray Classic® aluminum railing systems for decks, balconies, porches, and stairs - pre-engineered to NBC and OBC loading requirements with a 20-year warranty and no painting required - and Alpa vinyl privacy and decorative fencing in a full range of heights and styles. Both product lines are corrosion-proof, low-maintenance, and designed for the performance demands of Canadian residential and commercial installations. Wholesale supply to deck builders, fence installers, and contractors across Ontario and Western Canada.
Railings & Fencing Buying Guide
Key factors to evaluate when specifying railings & fencing for your project.
Aluminum Railings vs. Vinyl Railings
Aluminum railings
(Imperial Kool-Ray) offer the highest strength-to-weight ratio, are code-compliant for deck heights up to 72" without additional engineering in most jurisdictions, and accept no visible fasteners with the pre-assembled RTA (ready-to-assemble) system. Imperial carries a 20-year warranty and is engineered to meet NBC 2010 and OBC 2012 loading requirements (200 lb point load at top rail). Available in 6 colours - black, white, bronze, silver, sand, and clay. Glass panel inserts for a contemporary look. No painting required.
Vinyl railings
(Alpa) are lower in cost, lighter in weight, and suited to lower-deck and porch applications where building code allows vinyl railing systems. Vinyl railings require periodic cleaning and may flex more than aluminum in high-load situations. Available in white, cashmere, and tan to coordinate with Alpa column and fencing lines.
Fencing options
Alpa vinyl fencing is available in 11 styles across privacy, semi-privacy, and decorative picket categories. Heights of 4' and 6'. Pre-assembled fence panels reduce installation time substantially. Colours: White, Clay, Cashmere, Tan, and Sandalwood. No painting, no staining, no rotting - ever. Alpa fence panels carry a 5-year warranty from Alpa Ontario Railing Inc.
Code requirements
All railing systems for decks, balconies, and stairs must meet local building code requirements for height, baluster spacing (max 4" between balusters to prevent child entrapment), and structural loading. Imperial Kool-Ray Classic is pre-engineered to meet these requirements. Always verify with local building authority for your specific jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum railing height required by Canadian building code?
The National Building Code of Canada requires guards (railings) on decks and balconies that are more than 600mm (approximately 24") above adjacent grade. Required guard height is 900mm (35.4") for decks up to 1.8m (6') above grade, and 1,070mm (42") for decks higher than 1.8m. Municipal codes may be more stringent - always verify with the local building authority. Imperial Kool-Ray systems are designed to accommodate both height requirements.
How do Imperial Kool-Ray aluminum railings attach to a deck?
Imperial Kool-Ray uses a surface-mount post base that fastens through the deck surface and into the framing below with structural lag screws. A separate fascia-mount option is available for mounting on the face of the rim joist. Surface mount is the most secure and structurally sound option. Both mounting methods use concealed fasteners for a clean appearance.
How do I clean vinyl fencing?
Vinyl fencing requires minimal maintenance. For regular cleaning, rinse with a garden hose to remove dirt and dust. For stubborn stains (mildew, grease, caulking), use a non-abrasive household cleaner or diluted bleach solution (1 cup bleach per gallon of water) with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or pressure washers at close range, as these can damage the vinyl surface.
What vinyl fence height is most popular for residential privacy?
6-foot privacy fence panels are the standard residential privacy fencing height in Canada. At 6', the fence provides complete privacy from standing observers at standard grade. 4-foot fence is used for decorative boundary definition, garden borders, and front yard applications where privacy isn't required. All Alpa fence systems are available in both 4' and 6' heights.