I couldn't stand looking at the old railing any longer and ripped it down a few weeks back. I ended up getting 6x6 pressure treated posts in 8' lengths, then chopping those down to around 30" each. Had to use the circular saw and then finish the cuts off with a handsaw. After that I set up the miter on the table saw and beveled the tops with a 15 degree cut. Finished off the bottom with the bandsaw. I still need to put in permanent posts on the pergola but its a two man job and I've got to solicit some help on that one.

The neighbors gave us their old cedar decking that they replaced. It was stored behind their shed in a spider infested pile. Lovely - but free is a good price. Old as it was it was still top grade and very straight. I milled it up and ran it through the planer after pulling the screws, it came out really nice. I had thought about the natural finish, but with the screw holes and some other imperfections it was just better to fill it and paint. Plus I hate painting this thing, with any luck the solid color will last me 3+ years.

I had used the cedar lattice around the bottom two years ago and it rotted off, even painted . So I went back with the high-density plastic lattice. Weird stuff, it moves quite a bit when the sun hits it. Had to slot the screw holes to really get it to work the way I wanted. But I'm hoping the plastic lasts a long time.

That deck planking is 1.5" cedar. Must be at least 15 years old. Still pretty solid. I had thought about replacing it, and going for a modern conventional look, but why look like all the neighbors? The railing shape plus the color stands out LOL.