Tips To Building Deck Railings
This article will discuss one of many types of deck railings: wooden railings attached to wooden posts. We will cover metal and other material types in another article. Since wooden deck railings are easily built by most homeowners using commonly found materials, we will cover the steps to building your railings.
The first step is to decide how to mount your vertical posts. There are three basic methods to mounting the posts: surface mount, rim joist mount, and pre-notched posts. Pre-notched posts are just what they sound like: a 4x4 post with a notch in it that mounts on the outside of the rim joist. A rim joist mount differs in that the post is not notched; rather the post mounts directly to the rim joist (usually on the inside of the joist) by using a steel mounting bracket or by using lag bolts. Surface mounts posts mount directly to the surface of the deck by using a special metal flange. This method requires access below the deck to bolt the steel plate under the deck.
You want to space your posts out evenly around the deck. Try to keep them spaced evenly for a symmetrical look. You will also want to keep the spacing to be close to the size of dimensional lumber (6 foot, 8 foot, or 10 foot). If you decide the space your posts six and a half feet apart, you will need to buy eight-foot lumber and cut it down, wasting much lumber. Once you have all your posts in place and securely mounted, it is time to attach the railings. The easiest way to make a railing is to buy pre-made rail sections. You can either screw the rails right to the posts or use special mounting brackets made for this purpose.
If you decide to create your own railing, you will need to attach a footer rail across the bottom between the two posts about three inches off the deck. You then need a top stile around 32" to 36" high. You will then need to cut and attach pickets for between the top and bottom stiles. These are simply nailed or screwed in place. Lastly, attach a top rail across the top of the top stile. When building your own railings from scratch, check with your local building code enforcement office. They have specific rules regarding the minimum height for the top of the railing and the maximum spacing between the stiles. Building a deck rail is not hard and if you pre-assemble the railing sections it will go much faster. Remember to measure carefully between your posts and attach them securely with weatherproof hardware for years of protection and enjoyment. |
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