A few years ago, a friend of mine invited me down to Florida to catch grouper. It had been awhile since we’d seen each other and I was overdue for some offshore fishing, so of course I said yes. After a day on the water, we went back to his place and sat on the balcony to enjoy his view of the gulf. My eye was drawn to his railings, and I immediately noticed that his wooden balusters looked rotted and were showing signs of mold. He told me that he planned to have new wooden railings installed soon. “Why not install something that won’t mold, instead?” I asked. The stunned look on his face told me that he’d never even thought about that.

Humidity can cause minor annoyances that then lead to severe problems if you don’t take care of your railings. Perhaps you forgot to clean off that unsightly mildew on your vinyl railings or didn’t get around to resealing your wood ones at the first signs of rot. If so, I don’t blame you! High-maintenance materials like wood are a drag to look after in areas with a lot of humidity, and even vinyl can become a pain when the moist air is constantly encouraging mildew and algae growth. There are, however, some great low-maintenance materials that are ideal for humid climates if you want to avoid the headaches and the upkeep altogether.

Wooden Materials Demand High Maintenance in Warm, Humid Climates

As my friend’s moldy deck clearly showed, moisture and water saturation cause several problems with wood. In humid climates, frequent wetting and drying of wood, combined with warm temperatures, creates the perfect breeding ground for mold to grow and feed, and you end up with wood rot and decay. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common causes of wood deterioration. If decay weren't enough, moisture also causes warping and attracts destructive carpenter ants that bore into the wood, further damaging it beyond the point of repair.

To prevent rot, warping, and insect infestation, consider doing the following:

• Treat, cover, and protect your wood with stain and sealer every two years
• Maintain outdoor wood structures regularly (i.e. clean off mold and reseal wood railings)
• Frequently inspect wood materials for signs of decay

In short, using wood for your deck railings requires a lot of time and money to maintain them properly. If you live in a humid climate like my gulf coast friend, you might want to consider alternative materials.

Vinyl Gets an Honorable Mention

Vinyl is a better option than wood for humid climates because it holds up well to rain and moisture in the air. That being said, it’s still not ideal. The main reason? Mildew. While mildew is not structurally damaging (it feeds on bacteria, rather than on the vinyl itself), it can be particularly hard to remove if not taken care of as soon as it appears.

Green algae can also be a problem in warm, humid climates. Typically, a DIY mixture of bleach, mild soap, or vinegar with water will kill mildew and algae and remove any stain. If you’re like me, though, and you’d rather not spend the time scrubbing your railings every month, vinyl is not your best option.

Powder-Coated Metal Won’t Rot, Mold, or Mildew

Humidity and moisture don’t only affect wood and vinyl. As tough as they are, metals like iron and steel can also suffer in wet climates because they can rust. Even non-ferrous metals that won't rust, like aluminum and stainless steel, can corrode at an accelerated pace with enough moisture. Painting these metals has been the solution to preventing rust and corrosion for decades, but paint tends to peel and crack and requires touching up.

An excellent alternative to painting is powder-coating. Powder-coating is applied via electrostatic spray deposition, bonding the powder-paint particles to the base metal—typically steel, aluminum, and iron.

Powder coating also offers the below benefits:

• Resists chipping and impacts
• Adheres to metal much longer than traditional painting
• Resists rust and corrosion by providing a solid barrier
• Doesn’t require maintenance or surface touch-up
• Is easy to clean with a damp cloth
• Comes in a variety of colors to match your home and yard
• Pairs well with glass and cable products
• Provides a coveted wrought iron look with no risk of rusting

Once I told my friend about all these benefits of powder-coated metal for his outdoor railing, he was convinced. He’s a busy, no-fuss guy like me, and he simply doesn’t have the time or patience needed to maintain a wooden railing.

Ultimately, he decided to go with aluminum powder-coated railings from Fortress Building Products. The high-end powder coat and finish will keep it looking great for years to come, and the aluminum itself will do just fine in the humidity. When he told me he was considering replacing the whole balcony to match the railings, I told him to also go with Fortress®. I know from experience that Fortress’ high standard of quality carries over to all their fencing, decking, and fastener products, and if you’re going to pay for a product and have it installed, it should be great quality, whether you live in a humid climate or not.