This type of rail system appears somewhat dated for most people’s tastes in deck design.  It uses long pickets mounted to the face of the deck rim to support the rail.  There are no rail posts required for this rail system and the labor is reduced from the sweep space method.  The resulting rail isn’t as attractive and is less functional because it doesn’t offer an opening to sweep away snow or debris.  Long pickets are more likely to warp and crack which can begin to look unattractive after some years of weathering.  Pickets cover the face or rim of the deck, which masks the visual strata of frame, decking, rail that is found in other rail designs.