Railings & Curbs with the PermaTrak Boardwalk System
PermaCable™
Modern elegance meets durability
The PermaCable railing system offers a contemporary solution that maintains open sightlines to your surrounding environment. Its transparent design makes it perfect for scenic overlooks, waterfront boardwalks, and nature trails where preserving views is essential.
PermaPicket™
Timeless design meets versatility
The PermaPicket railing system provides a classic aesthetic that complements any landscape. Its clean lines and structured appearance make it an excellent choice for urban trails, park pathways, and institutional settings.
Railing Color Options
Standard Finishes
PermaBase™ Plate
Cast-in PermaTrak Personalization
The PermaBase plate provides a sleek, integrated mounting solution for custom railing installations. Featuring cast-in PermaTrak branding, our new base plate adds a distinctive, professional touch that identifies your project for years to come.
Understanding Boardwalk Railing Design Standards
Two primary codes govern boardwalk railing design:
AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)
- Typically required for DOT projects and certain state/federal agencies
- Load requirements: 50 plf uniform load AND 200 lb point load (both applied simultaneously)
- Height: 42" minimum (54" for bicycle applications)
IBC (International Building Code)
- Standard for most municipal, county, and park greenway projects
- Load requirements: 50 plf uniform load OR 200 lb point load (whichever governs)
- Height: 42" minimum
When is railing required?
Where boardwalk surface to grade elevation exceeds 30 inches. Below 30 inches, curbs may be used as "warning bumpers" or "toe curbs," though not required.
1. Aluminum railing with wire mesh panels at Spencer Creek in St. Peters, MO.
2. Galvanized steel railing on boardwalk at White Rock Creek Greenbelt Trail in Dallas, TX.
3. Brushed, marine grade aluminum upright posts with stainless steel cable strands at Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, FL. 
4. Timber posts with stainless steel cable strand railing at Adams Park in Atlanta, GA 
5. Galvanized steel posts with stainless steel tensioned cable strands at McMullen Greenway in Charlotte, NC
6. Stainless steel tensioned cable strand railing at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (owned by US Fish and Wildlife) in VA.
7. Basic Southern Yellow Pine timber boardwalk railing at Osprey Harbor Observation Deck near Sarasota, FL. 
8. Timber picket style railing at White Oak Greenway in Cary, NC.
9. Timber railing with steel grab rail at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Blackwater, MD.
10. Composite railing at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community in Thomasville, NC.
11. Composite railing at Live Oak Park observation deck - The Villages, FL.Railing Cost Estimates
*These are only estimates meant to show general cost ranges for different railing materials.
PermaTrak® Concrete Curbs
As mentioned above, on boardwalk applications where the walking surface is less than 30'' above grade, PermaTrak can supply a precast concrete curb, otherwise referred to as a "toe curb."
Click to read more about this boardwalk for the City of Tampa.
