Fortress Railing prides itself on toughness, durability, and quality. The brand fancies itself as “one of the strongest in the industry".
The railing solutions offered by Fortress Building Products are the result of 40 years of innovative thinking, culminating in the Outdurable Living mindset.
Outdurable Living means Fortress products are a durable, one-stop solution for an outdoor living lifestyle made by people who do the outdoors right.
Fortress offers five standards proving its commitment to their customers to ensure all products leaving a Fortress manufacturing facility meet the expectations of quality, strength, innovation, versatility and easy installation.
Quality: Fortress uses coating technology based on those featured in high-end automobiles. The end product is one that is anti-corrosive, low-maintenance, and long-lasting.
Strength: Rigorous product testing combined with high-quality manufacturing processes allows Fortress to offer its customers products that meet and exceed codes in a variety of building applications.
Innovation: Proprietary designs and systems make Fortress railing products leaders in the industry. Fortress aims to stay ahead of competitors by creating new, groundbreaking products.
Versatility: Customization opportunities abound in the Fortress railing catalog, allowing for countless combinations that fit nearly any design.
Easy Installation: Install times are reduced significantly due to Fortress’ simple bracket systems and other manageable installation components.
Types of Fortress Railing
#1 FortressCable H-Series
The ‘H’ is for horizontal in the FortressCable H-Series cable railing design. The simple system is installed in panels, eliminating the typical installation challenges of cable railing infill.
Pre-assembled - easy installation
Marine grade, stainless-steel cable for durability
Compatable with wood or metal posts
Installation feature Fortress easy bracket system
Customizable panel lengths
Low-maintenance and worry free (no tensioning)
Warranty: 15 years
Available Colors: Black Sand
Installation Setting: Residential and Commercial
#2 FortressCable V-Series
The ‘V’ is for vertical in this first of its kind FortressCable V-Series cable railing design. Fortress showed off its innovation with the creation of the first ever vertical cable railing infill in the composite decking sector.
Stylish, sleek, and easy to install make the V-Series a favorite of home and business owners alike.
Unique vertical design
Pre-assembled - easy installation
Marine grade, stainless-steel cable for durability
Compatable with wood or metal Fortress products
Warranty: 15 years
Available Colors: Black Sand
Installation Setting: Residential and Commercial
#3 Fe26 Steel Railing
For those of you science nerds out there, it might be easy to determine what the ‘Fe” stands for in this offering from Fortress. That’s right, iron.
The beauty of this wrought iron goes beyond aesthetics. It is very easy to install, as it is pre-welded and its galvanized steel and zinc phosphate composition make it one of the more durable iron railing products you can find.
Easy installation and handling
FortressShield coating for durability
Customizable for a variety of projects
Compatible with wood or composite decking
Warranty: 15 year limited
Available Colors: Gloss Black - Antique Bronze - Black Sand
Installation Setting: Residential
#4 Fe26 PLUS Commercial Steel Railing
All the beauty of the residential version (Fortress Fe) combined with the extra strength to stand up to commercial settings.
Easy installation and handling - cut down commercial installation time with pre-welded sections
FortressShield coating to stand up to rust, corrosion, and wear and tear
Compatible with wood, composite, vinyl and other Fortress posts
Created with building code in mind
Warranty: 10 year limited
Available Colors: Gloss Black - Black Sand
Installation Setting: Commercial
#5 Al13 Aluminum Railing
You need not be a science nerd to guess that the ‘Al’ is an aluminum product. Fortress notes that their aluminum railings are “distinctly different” from most aluminum kit railings, featuring highly attractive finishes and easy-to-use bracket systems.
The Al13 is pre-welded, ready to install, and offers superior strength. Look forward to a maintenance-free railing with the Al13.
Easy to install, pre-welded panels and Fortress bracket system
Entirely recyclable
Compatible with wood, vinyl, composite or aluminum posts
Warranty: Lifetime Limited Manufacturer
Available Colors: Gloss Black - White - Textured Black Sand
Installation Setting: Residential and Commercial
#6 Al13 HOME™ Residential Aluminum Railing
Another aluminum offering from Fortress presents itself as affordable, durable, maintenance-free, and high-quality. Installation is simple, as the Al13 Home railing comes in panels with pre-secured brackets.
Al13 Home railing is geared toward customization for each homeowner, offering a plethora of looks with the same high-quality of other Fortress products.
Affordable
Easy to install panels
Versatile post selection to accommodate multiple top rail finishes
Beautiful, clean look of thin pickets
Durable
Customizable infills including vertical cable or Fortress Pure View glass
Warranty: Lifetime Limited Manufacturer
Available Colors: Matte White - Black Sand
Installation Setting: Residential
#7 Pure View™ Glass Railing
Glass railing systems typically seem daunting and out of reach for any average business or homeowner. Fortress makes glass railing attainable with their Pure View glass railing system.
Wide open views
Easier than average glass railing installation
Glass system is more affordable than custom cut glass panels
Compatible with wood, composite, vinyl, or metal railing posts
Warranty: Lifetime Limited Manufacturer
Available Colors: Gloss Black - Black Sand - Antique Bronze (not available with full panels - White - Matte White
Installation Setting: Residential and Commercial
#8 Baluster Railing
With three series including Mega, Vienna, and Vintage, these Fortress Baluster Railing kits offer unique style and myriad design choices.
Fortress Baluster Railing kits are designed to bring a sense of fashion to standard wood or composite railings while offering the combination of strength and beauty expected of Fortress products.
Easy installation
Compatible with wood, vinyl, composite and metal posts
Available Colors: Gloss Black - Black Sand - Oil Rubbed Bronze - Antique Bronze - Rust
#9 Handrail System
Fortress offers round and square handrail systems that are compatible with Fortress railing products and railing systems from other vendors.
Easy installation
Fortress round railing is ADA compliant
Installation at most angles
Compatible with wood, vinyl, composite or metal posts and railing
Available Styles: Round - Square
Available Colors: Gloss Black - Black Sand - Antique Bronze - White Matte - White (round only)
Where and How to Purchase Fortress Railing
Building products have become sometimes hard to procure. Composite and aluminum railing products vary in availability. You can typically find Fortress Railing products at national hardware stores like:
Fortress does not sell directly to consumers (DTC) but does offer a tool that will help you find a reputable dealer in your area.
Fortress Railing Costs
Fortress Railing comes in a variety of styles, installations, and sizes, as outlined above. This makes it challenging to nail down a “cost.”
For example, a Fe26 panel from DecksDirect.com shows us how one style can vary significantly:
Rail Length
Rail Height
Color
Cost per Panel
6 ft
28 in
Black Sand
113.99
6 ft
28 in
Antique Bronze
124.99
8 ft
28 in
Black Sand
144.99
6 ft
42 in
Black Sand
137.99
6 ft
42 in
Antique Bronze
148.99
As you can see, a simple tweak to any feature can change the price per panel significantly. It is worth noting that Fortress panels tend to hover around the above price points regardless of style or product line you select.
Choose the Right Fortress Railing for You
It can be challenging to shuffle through all these selections and narrow in on the best choice. How does one make a final decision on the best Fortress Railing system for your installation?
Consider these few things when deciding on your Fortress Railing product:
Local building codes should be consulted first. This could lead to a narrowing of allowable styles and sizes for your deck.
Decide what is most important to you. If a clear sight line is imperative, then cable or glass options might be best.
Each railing product has a specified selection of available colors. Keep this in mind as you consider your design.
Utilize the Fortress Visualizer to see how each product might look in your project.
How to Install Fortress Railings
Installing Fortress Railings on your own is plausible if you have some decking experience under your belt. If you feel like installing your own Fortress Railings is a bit more than you can chew, skip this section and head down to the Need Help Installing Fortress Railings section for ideas on how to have someone else do the “dirty work.”
Required Tools and Materials:
Drill bits (⅜” and 3/16”)
Driver bit (T-25)
Drill bit extender
Tape measure
Wrench set
Speed square
Center punch
Hammer
While generally easy to install, Fortress railings do frequently require pre-drilling to customize posts and railings based on style, length, top rail, and post brackets.
You must be confident using the above tools and taking precise measurements to ensure a high-quality installation.
Need Help Installing Fortress Railings?
Fortress Railings have many features that make installation easier. However, sometimes the benefits are only valid for those who know what they are doing in the first place.
If you feel leery about your ability to install your own beautiful Fortress Railings, visit our convenient tool to help find a professional in your area who is both confident and competent.
Vinyl Deck Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost What is Vinyl Railing?What if I told you there was a deck railing option that was affordable, easy to install, and requires minimal maintenance? Would you believe it?You should! Vinyl…
