Blog

We got a call recently from a Toronto business man who wanted mahogany hand railings for his new boat. He had purchased a large, beautiful, older model cabin cruiser, which needed a lot of rehab work done. At some point in its past, this boat had been “fished,” which meant whoever owned it before had used it mainly for sport fishing. This was evident because they had made their own amateur modifications, including a large, hardwood cutting board that they had screwed directly onto the mahogany deck railing to filet their catches. Large, deep gouges showed where bait had been cut, and fishing poles had been secured to the rails, apparently with chains and elastic straps. Another section of railing near the stern looked like it had been used as a sort of pincushion for various lures and tackle. Aside from the obvious abuse these beautiful wood railings had endured, the elements had taken their toll as well.

Hand Railings can Add Beauty and New Life to your project

The man explained that because he had gotten such a great deal on the boat, he could afford to make it look new again. His first priority was replacing these badly weathered and abused railings. We took a few minutes to show him our styles and large selection of materials, including mahogany, and he was able to find exactly what he had in mind.
In general, boats are exposed to very unforgiving climates. Over time, sunshine, salt water, and rain do permanent damage to their fixtures, without the help of humans. After so many years of hard use, this once lovely craft deserved a little pampering.

At Toronto Railings, we know what the elements are capable of, and we have the right materials and styles for whatever application you have in mind. Whether inside or out, upstairs or down, if mahogany railings sound right for you, call us today.

We recently received a call from a dancer in Toronto, about our selection of wooden rails. Since she was ready to retire, this well-known ballerina wanted to open a dance studio to continue the tradition and share her love of dance with others. Not only did she need wooden rails around the mirrored studio walls, but she wanted to build some portable, free-standing rails, and was considering glass railings for her upstairs office space. We saw this as a great opportunity for us and for her. We showed her the materials and styles we had available, and she decided that coming to us was the right thing to do.

A Variety of Wooden Railings

We’ve all seen dance studios, either on TV or in real life. The wooden rails that line the studio walls are called ‘barres.’ They have to be durable and easy to keep clean. In addition, this dancer wanted us to help build several sets of portable barres that could be raised and lowered for her younger students. Her upstairs office had a view of the studio floor below, but the heavy wooden decorator posts and wood railings that were already there obstructed her view, so she wanted to replace them with glass railings. We were able to fulfill all of her requirements with no difficulty.
Most of the jobs we get at Toronto Railings aren’t this interesting, or this challenging, so it is always fun when we are asked to do something new. Wooden rails are the most common product we are asked for, but this was the first time we had done anything like this. With the know-how, great materials, and beautiful styles we have at our disposal, this ballerina’s project was done in no time, and your project is just as special to us.

When your next project in Toronto calls for wooden rails, give us a call.

We had the opportunity to talk to a contractor in Toronto recently who was bidding on a new parking structure, and had some questions for us about composite railings. He had built several of these garages before, and knew he would need railings, and a lot of them. His biggest concern was in the stairwells, where vandalism and theft had been an issue in the past. He told us that anything with any kind of resale value, including steel handrails, was in danger of being stolen from these areas that were not in plain view. He had heard about our composite railings, which are made from recycled plastics, are virtually indestructible, and hold up well in harsh environments. We agreed with him that this would be an excellent choice.

Eco-Friendly Composite Railings in Toronto

Each level of the parking structure would have several different railing applications to address, from the ramps and outside walls, to the protective railings along walkways, and of course the stairwells. The garage would have stairs in two corners and in a central shaft near the elevators. In all, he told us, he would need composite railings for 17 flights of stairs. He was delighted to hear that these railings were environmentally friendly and, since they were made from recycled materials, they were much less likely to be stolen.
When the contractor placed his bid for the project, he noted to his client that he had found a railing solution that was economical, durable and eco-friendly. The client was thrilled with his proposal and awarded him the job almost immediately. At Toronto Railings, we know that each railing job is different and comes with its own unique concerns. With a variety of materials and styles on hand, we offer the selection, know-how, and personalized service to make your railing needs a snap.

If composite railings sound like the right choice for you, call Toronto Railings today!

A prestigious Toronto law firm called us about glass railings for remodeling their office, a large Victorian style home that had been converted to an office building in the late 1970’s. They wanted to give the interior a modern look, especially on the upper floor, where they had their conference room. During its original renovation, the second floor had been converted into a mezzanine that looked down onto the lobby. The doors to the conference room opened out to the balcony, which was, at that time, still done in dark hardwoods, burgundy carpeting, and deep leather chairs. In keeping with their more modern interior design, they were making things brighter, and more open with lighter, neutral colored furnishings, glass and stainless steel fixtures. To them, the old, ornate hardwood balcony rail simply had to go.

Glass Railings Make the Most of Natural Light

One of the great features of this office was the abundance of natural light. All the original second floor windows still lined the upper wall of the lobby, and let in plenty of sunshine. By using glass railings along the balcony, the firm would be able to add to their new, modern design and give clients and guests a clear, uncluttered view of the lobby below. We showed them some of the options they had available and they quickly agreed on the style and materials they wanted us to use to add the finishing touches to their project.
At Toronto Railings, we have a multitude of different materials and styles, so it was easy for us to meet the needs of this client. Whether your railing needs are upstairs or down, inside or out, we have the goods, know-how, and expertise to get the job done right, just like you want it.

If your’e in Toronto and glass railings fit the bill for you, call us today!