What is maintenance free aluminum railing?

Painted aluminum railing lasts forever with only periodic cleaning. The paint finish, especially dark tones, may fade or “chalk” over time, but the underlying metal will last forever.

In the typical home improvement scenario, the aluminum railing will not corrode. However, contact with some chemicals should be avoided, for instance, direct unprotected contact with concrete or some deck cleaners. Salts will corrode many materials, including aluminum, vinyl, and wood. Coastal environments are tough on all materials, and many manufacturer warranties exclude these regions.

While vinyl is considered maintenance-free, it is being broken down by photo-degradation from day one. We have all seen old vinyl fences and siding that get brittle and crack. Unlike vinyl or composites, aluminum will maintain its strength for life.