A railing is one of the most visible parts of a deck but it s also a key safety feature.
Best way to install deck railing posts.
They must be strong.
Deck railing posts are the foundation of a deck railing system.
After the railing is installed sand all the corners smooth.
Choose lumber for example that is free of cracks and splinters.
This article shows how to install posts with two bolts in order to create a very strong attachment.
The post will be the desired height of the railing and the width of the framing it is attached to minus the thickness of the cap that rests on top of the posts if any.
Most states now require a specific bolted connection where deck rail posts attach to the floor frame with reinforcement for joists and blocking.
When planning out railing posts it s important to keep both factors in mind.
The international residential code irc adopted by most us cities and towns requires 36 in high deck railings for decks more than 30 in.
It s easy to connect deck railing posts to the floor joists of the deck.
The railing posts for this deck are cut from 4 x 4 lumber.
Don t lag bolt a deck railing post to the outer band board that s nailed to the ends of the floor joists.
Instead a bolting method similar to the one for interior posts should be used for posts attached to the outside of the frame.
Codes are getting tougher on outdoor decks.
The rise in popularity of deck railing post anchors is no surprise.
However this method no longer meets most modern building code requirements.
The nails that pass through the band board into.
Back in the day most deck rail posts were notched attached to the outside of the deck frame and driven in with screws.
There are two ways to mount posts on the inside of the rim and end joists or on the outside as with this deck.
The railing must be strong enough to resist the following loads.
Critical railing post connections are simplified by using engineered framing hardware.