Fortress Railing Reviews – In the world of railing, Fortress is one of the strongest in the industry. Its highest pride lays on its toughness, durability and quality.
Fortress comes as a railing solution presented by Fortress Building Products as a result of innovative thinking, culminating in Outdrable Living mindset that has been done for 40 years.
Truly, Fortress railing products are not only durable but also one-stop solution for an outdoor living design.
In this Fortress railing reviews, we would like to navigate you to the review content including the Fortress 5 Standards, types of Fortress railing, where and how to purchase Fortress railing, Fortress railing costs, Choose the right Fortress railing and the installation methods.
Now let’s check out all of the details description of the review in the following session.
The Fortress Railing 5 Standards
There are 5 Fortress standards offered to the customers to ensure that all the products will meet the expectations of quality, innovation, strength, versatility and easy installation. Here is the detail descriptions of those 5 standards:
Quality
To ensure the quality, coating technology is used by Fortress to provide the railing products with the features of anti-corrosive, low maintenance and durability.
Strength
The high quality manufacturing process enables the Fortress to come with the products that meet the wide range of building applications.
Innovation
One of the innovation stated in our Fortress railing reviews is the proprietary designs and systems that allows Fortress railing products be the leaders in the industry. Later, the purpose of Fortress railing is to stay with the competitors by creating new innovative products.
Versatility
Dealing with the versatility, Fortress offers the customization opportunities stated in the Fortress railing catalogue, causing the countless combinations nearly fit the design.
Easy Installation
As there are Fortress simple bracket systems and other manageable installation elements, Fortress railing offers an easy installation.
Read Also: Wood Deck Railing Reviews
Types of Fortress Railing
There are many types of Fortress railing reviews you should know if you seems interested in purchasing and using the Fortress railing. Check out the details of each types to lead you select the best and most suitable option for you.
FortressCable H-Series
The “H” in FortressCable H-Series stands for “Horizontal”. This type of Fortress railing requires only a simple system installed in panels. As a result, it will eliminate the typical installation difficulties to infill the cable railing.
The features of this series include the pre-assembled easy installation, the stainless-steel cable to ensure the railing durability, suitability with the wood or metal posts and the easy bracket system to add to installation feature.
Further, FortressCable H-Series also offers customizable panel lengths and low maintenance as well as worry free.
With 15 years warranty, this series is available in black sand and for either residential or commercial settings.
FortressCable V-Series
The second types of Fortress railing is FortressCable V-Series. In this case, “V” stands for “vertical”. The innovation is showed off along with the innovation of the first vertical cable railing infill in the sector of composite decking.
FortressCable V-Series looks stylish, sleek and easy to install at home and business setting. The features include the unique vertical design, the pre-assembled easy installation and stainless-steel cable to ensure the durability. Further, this series is also compatible with wood and metal Fortress products.
With 15 years warranty, the products of FortressCable V-Series is available in black sand and used in both residential and commercial settings.
Fe26
Fe26 is listed in this Fortress railing reviews as the third type of Fortress. “Fe”, in this term” stands for iron.
Fe26 offers the wrought iron beauty more than just an aesthetics. It is not only easy to install but also pre-welded. Its zinc phosphate composition along with the galvanized steel create the high durability.
The products customization is available for a variety of projects. Further, this type of Fortress is compatible with both wood and composite decking.
Fe26 offers 15 years limited warranty. It is available in some colors including gloss black, antique bronze and black sand.
This type of Fortress is available only for residential setting.
Fe26 PLUS
Now you can find another series of Fe26 which is available for commercial setting. It is definitely Fe26 PLUS.
Some great features offered by this Fortress type includes the easy installation and handing at which you can cut down the time when installing the railing for commercial for the pre-welded sections.
Later, there is a feature of FortressShield coating that is added to the railing to stand up to rust, wear and tear as well as corrosion.
Fe26 PLUS also offers the compatibility with wood, composite, vinyl and other Fortress posts. One more, it is created using the building code in mind.
The 10 year limited warranty is added to this railing type along with the two color options that are gloss black and black sand.
AI13
AI13 is an aluminum railing. Noticeably, this type of railing is different from most of aluminum kit railings. This one is featuring highly attractive finishes and easy-to-use bracket systems.
Al13 is not only pre-welded but also ready to install. It offers a super strength without requiring any maintenance. In the other words, this railing type is maintenance-free.
Like many other Fortress railing type, Al13 is compatible with wood. It also compatible with vinyl, composite or aluminum posts. To enrich the feature, the railing is added with the lifetime limited warranty from the manufacturer.
There are two color options available. They are gloss black and white textured black sand. The installation settings includes either residential or commercial.
A113 HOME™
Based on our Fortress railing reviews, Al13 HOME™ has many things to offer. Affordable price, durability, free maintenance, high quality and easy installation are all the things offered by this Fortress type.
Some of homeowners are amazed at the railing customization that offers a plenty of looks along with the similar high quality of other Fortress products.
For your best list, the features of Al12 HOME™ is featuring affordable price, panels easy installation, post selection versatility for multiple top rail finishes accommodation, durability, beauty and clean look as well as customizable infills like the vertical cable and Fortress pure view glass.
A lifetime limited warranty is added to this Fortress railing type to ensure the durability while the colors that include matte white and black sand are added to ensure the beauty. Unfortunately, only residential setting is available.
PureTV™
Another type of Fortress railing you should take into the list is PureTV™. PureTV™ is also known as the glass railing.
This way, the railing uses the glass railing systems that are typically daunting and uncommon for average business or homeowner. The attainability of the railing is exactly ensured by the Pure View Glass railing system.
PureTV™ is offering wide open views. It is even easier to install than the average glass railing. Believe it or not, the glass system is cheaper than the custom cut glass panels.
Like the previous Fortress type above, this one is compatible with wood, composite, vinyl and metal railing posts.
There are some colors available with PureTV™ including the gloss black, black sand, white, matte white and antique bronze which is not offering full panels.
To ensure the durability, this type of Fortress type is added with the lifetime limited warranty. More importantly, it is designed for both residential and commercial settings.
Baluster Railing
Among the three series like Mega, Vienna and Vintage, this Fortress Baluster railing type comes with the unique style and myriad design choices.
Basically, Fortress baluster railing is designed to offer a sense of fashion to composite or standard wood railing while the combination of strength and beauty is also added to the Fortress products.
The two great features are the easy installation and the compatibility of the railing with wood, vinyl, composite and metal posts while the colors includes the gloss black, black sand, Oil rubbed bronze and antique bronze as well as rust.
Fortress Handrail System
Fortress handrail system is the last type of Fortress railing in our list. It offers round and square handrail systems which is compatible with the other products of Fortress railing. It also comes with railing systems from other vendors.
There are four utilizable features of this railing type. They are the easy installation, ADA compliance, installation ability for most angles and compatibility with wood, vinyl, composite, railing and metal posts.
Fortress handrail system is available in round and square. The color selections include the gloss black, black sand, antique bronze, white and white matte.
Where And How To Purchase Fortress Railing
Later on our Fortress railing reviews, we head to where and how to purchase the Fortress railings. Well, building products are sometimes hard to find while aluminum and composite railing products vary in availability.
Typically, you can find Fortress railing products at some national hardware stores like Menard’s. Deck Direct, Home Depot and Tractor Supply Co.
This way, Fortress railings are not directly sold to the customers. Optionally, a tool is provided by the company to help you find the products in the reputable dealers in your area.
Fortress Railing Costs
It is considered challenging to cut down the costs due to the variety of styles, installation and sizes. For instance, Fe26 panel from DecksDirect.co will show us how a style can be so different. Look at the table below:
| Rail Length | Rail Height | Color | Cost per Panel |
| 6 ft | 28 in | Black sand | 113.99 |
| 6 ft | 28 in | Antique bronze | 124.00 |
| 8ft | 28 in | Black sand | 144.99 |
| 6 ft | 42 in | Black sand | 137.99 |
| 6 ft | 42 in | Antique bronze | 148.99 |
Based on the table above, the price can change significantly because of the simple tweak to any feature.
Regardless of the style or product line you choose, it will be worth noting that the panel of Fortress tend to hang around the above price point.
Choose The Right Fortress Railing For You
Since there are big selection over the Fortress railing product, it would be challenging to find the best choice.
How will you make a decision on the best Fortress railing system for your installation?
Let’s have a look these these few things when you decide on the Fortress railing products.
- Consult the local building codes firstly to guide you to narrow your choice over the allowable styles and sizes for your deck.
- Determine what things will be the most crucial for you. If you prefer a clear slide line, you can lead yourself to select cable or glass options as the best option.
- Each railing product comes with the specified selection and available colors. Remember that you should keep your design.
- Use the Fortress Visualizer to check with product suitability to your project.
How To Install Fortress Railings
Do you expect to carry out your project yourself?
As we mentioned, Fortress railings are easy to install.
The one important thing is that you are sure with your experience in installing railing and you are certain to do the project yourself.
So here are the list of required tools and materials you should prepare and make them ready with you before you start the installation.
- Hammer
- Center punch
- Speed square
- Wrench set
- Tape measure
- Drill bit extender
- Driver bit (T-25)
- Drill bits (3/8” and 3/16”)
Though Fortress railings are considerably easy to install, it would also be necessary to pre-drill in order to customize the posts and railings based on the length, styles, top rail and post brackets. Be confident with the tools above and take the prior measurements to make sure that you do a high quality installation.
However, if you feel you have no some decking installation experience or if you feel that installing Fortress railing a bit more than you can do, skip this and jump to the “Need help installing Fortress Railings” section below.
Need Help Installing Fortress Railing
Later on our Fortress railing reviews, hiring a pro to have your Fortress railings installed is also recommended if you think you cannot deal with DIY project.
In this case, visit the convenient tool provided by the company to help you find the best professional in your area. The tool will also help you to find the confident and competent installer for your Fortress railings projects.
Read Also: Vinyl Deck Railing Reviews
FAQs Fortress Railing Reviews
There are certainly some frequently asked questions to add your knowledge more about Fortress railings. It is quite possible that you have the same questions while you are interested in purchasing the products.
What makes the Fortress railings best for outside?
Where can I see the widely used Fortress railings?
In some commercial settings like apartment.
What type of Fortress railings will suit a home?
Aluminum railings is considered suitable for home. It is available for residential setting.
What type of Fortress railing can I install in my balcony for enjoying wide open views?
Glass railings is available for residential setting. The pure View glass railing system will allow for wider open views you wish to enjoy.
Can I purchase the Fortress railings online?
Unfortunately, the Fortress railings cannot be found online. Optionally, visit the website and use the provided tool to find the reputable dealer in your area. Or you can also visit the national hardware stores like Home Depot, Decks Direct, Menard’s and Tractor Supply Co.
