To ensure your system performs as well as designed, be sure to space structural posts 4ft apart center-to-center. On the flipside, a post will touch the deck every time … Measure and mark locations for rail height. In California, deck railings are required to be a minimum of 42″ tall measured from the deck surface to the top of the guardrail. Uniform Load Test: The top rail must be able to sustain 125 lbs of force applied horizontally or vertically. Your choices would be 12' o.c., 8' o.c., or 6' o.c. Railing spacing ultimately determines the spacing of the pickets or balusters you will install; it plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the railing. spacing between the cap rail and the railing section below, fasten 2×4 blocks with 2-1⁄2-in. Mark the placement of the posts on the deck. Jon Zamboni began writing professionally in 2010. Deck railing height standards can vary from state to state but typically require a 36″ or 42″ railing. Railing. Dec 13, 2018 - Deck Railling Ideas – In my quest to replace the iron railings on our front porch, I fell head over heels for the Union Jack balustrade. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30", you must still meet code requirements. As a result, the post spacings for a railing will vary as will the length of the railing section that fits between each post. Minimum stair railing height has to be 34” from the top rail to the nosing. Engineered railing systems must be tested to meet IRC and IBC building codes. May 31, 2019 - This Pin was discovered by Basic Deck Designs. For a composite railing system, slide the post sleeve over the wood post, then the post sleeve skirt over the post sleeve; both should rest on the decking. Home Decor. In the case of guardrails for stairs, there is an exception that allows up to a 6” diameter sphere through the triangle opening formed by the stair riser, stairtread and bottom rail. That’s how many railings you’ll need, then simply space them evenly between corners and your home. The handgrips must allow a minimum of 1-1/2” space between the handrail and the guardrail or wall. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. Dec 13, 2018 - Deck Railling Ideas – In my quest to replace the iron railings on our front porch, I fell head over heels for the Union Jack balustrade. your own Pins on Pinterest. A circular cross section of a handrail must have an outside diameter of between 1-1/4” and 2”. Upgrade your deck railing today, in-stock and ready to ship out to you! Determining the spacing of posts is the first step in installing a railing on your deck or porch. The farther apart your posts are spaced, the more cable deflection will occur and this can cause unsafe conditions. You’ll always need corner posts, so install these first then measure the distance between them, divide by six and round up. Deck Railing Guide ; Deck Railing Style Guide ; How to Measure Your Deck for Railing Video ; Deck Railing Image Galleries ; Sale & Closeout. Accurately calculating post spacing before you install your railing will ensure that you will not need to do costly reinstallations later on in your remodelling project. Explore. Deck Railing. The 12' I would think would be too far, so the choice would be 6' or 8'. Our standard recommendation / specification is 4 foot post spacing, but you can go up to 7 feet if using a Cable Stabilizer in the middle to maintain cable spacing. Make a space between the post and the deck rail post no wider than the spacing between balusters. Composite balusters never touch the deck and are held in place four inches or less from the top of the deck’s surface. Maximum joist span of a 2X8 is 10’ – 6” at 16” o.c. Mar 30, 2019 - Deck Railling Ideas – In my quest to replace the iron railings on our front porch, I fell head over heels for the Union Jack balustrade. stainless-steel screws. Deck railing posts have a maximum spacing of 6-feet for 4×4 posts and 8-feet for 6x6s but the railing will be stronger if the posts are closer together. While a 16-foot-by-16-foot backyard deck for recreational purposes, such as an outdoor kitchen and general lounging, may only require deck posts spaced every 7 feet, a larger deck may require that the spacing … The tests include: Infill Load Test: The strength of the balusters are tested so that a one-square foot area must resist 125 lbs of force. Deck Railing Systems. Decks attached to single family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC). And a top rail 2x4 with a 2x4 top plate to cap it off. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The same gap is allowed between the decorative elements of the deck railing. Measure the distance between the corner posts of your deck with a measuring tape. Such calculators allow you to calculate the spacing of your posts using the width of the posts, the length of the area to rail and the size of the balustrades. While a spindle or baluster can touch the deck, they often have a bottom railing to hold them in place. Saved from learntobuildadeck.info. What Is the Distance Between Fence Posts? Calculate the distance between stair spindles. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Concentrated Load Test: The top rail must be capable of holding a point load of 200 lbs of force applied to the mid span, on the side of a post and on top of a post. Inspired by the design of the Union Jack flag, this timber-style balustrade emphasizes the flag’s diagonal pattern. Commercial decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). Metal Fence Post Caps. Stairs. These deck railing height diagrams are a great reference for your design and building portfolio. 1. Bolts should be vertically spaced no less than 5-1/8 inch apart. deck with a view image by Bruce Shippee from Fotolia.com. These posts should be no farther apart than six feet on the flat deck and no farther apart than 5 1/2 feet on stairs. Maximum spacing of posts is 72 inches on center. I have a 42" high wood railing with 2x4 bottom rail 3.5" off deck with wood 2x2's attached to outside of 2x4. Flat 2x4 and 2x6 handrails are not acceptable. Deck Railing Post Spacing. Inspired by the design of the Union Jack flag, this timber-style balustrade emphasizes the flag’s diagonal pattern. To maintain the 4-in. Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. Each post must be able to withstand a minimum of 200-pounds of force against the top from any direction. Building Code Deck Railing Post Spacing Requirements According to the International Building Code, deck railing posts should be spaced no further than 6 feet apart. A safety factor of 2.5 is usually added to the testing. The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". Deck Railing Systems. Stair railing post spacing in Ontario. Written on: July 14, 2020. deck with a view image by Bruce Shippee from Fotolia.com. Determine post position based on overall deck dimensions. Zamboni has a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies from Wesleyan University. The top edge of the handrail must be placed between 34” and 38” above the nosing of the stair treads. These tests are performed by an accredited third-party testing agency. The IBC requires 42" high guardrails. Discover (and save!) How to Calculate Railing Post Spacing. The maximum space between the bottom rail and the surface is 4”. What is the reasoning behind this spacing? Shop Sale Railing ; Deck Post Caps. All decks higher than 30" above grade must have a guardrail. Such calculators allow you to calculate the spacing of your posts using the width of the posts, the length of the area to rail and the size of the balustrades. The guardrails must be strong enough to withstand a concentrated 200 lb force anywhere along the top of the rail. A span is the unsupported distance between two posts. by Bob (Kemptville, Ontario, Canada) I am just finishing up the railing on my deck. With the standard safety factor of 2.5 used by engineers, that means railing and posts must be designed to resist a 300-pound uniform load or a 500-pound point load. The size of the deck directly affects the spacing of the support posts. Can I put my railing posts on after I build my deck? Building code suggests that rail post span should not exceed 72" (1829 mm) - measured from the center of each post. The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". A variety of gripping surfaces may be acceptable but must meet requirements for the gripping surface. For argument sake let's say the deck is 24' long. Rail posts (also referred to as Guard Posts) are generally spaced evenly between straight sections of deck. Screw the center blocks. Written by: Jon Zamboni. Deck railings must meet building codes to pass inspection. When using fascia mounted railings around the deck, it is recommended that you also use fascia mounted rails on the stairs. Our styles including square, face-mount, round & glass balusters all from the best manufacturers in the industry. Drill two 1/4 inch holes through the base of each of your posts using a drill, then attach the posts to the deck with bolts or screws using a screwdriver. Terms of use. He has previously written for The Spiritual Herald, an urban health care and religious issues newspaper based in New York City, and online music magazine eBurban. Inspired by the design of the Union Jack flag, this timber-style balustrade emphasizes the flag’s diagonal pattern. After removing the blocks spacing the rail off the deck surface, drive the lower screws. Browse DecksDirect.com's massive online selection of deck balusters. Measure the distance between posts at two corners and divide by the distance allowed between posts. Railing spacing ultimately determines the spacing of the pickets or balusters you will install; it plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the railing. Deck Railing Systems Deck Railing Design Patio Railing Deck Design Deck Railing Ideas Diy Patio Stairs Fence Ideas Small Deck Ideas On A Budget Deck Decorating Ideas On A Budget Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts. . Post Spacing Guidelines Space posts no more than six feet apart or follow your local code requirements. In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code. If you plan to install railings on multiple sides of the deck, measure the length of each section you wish to rail. Also install the stair railing post at the bottom end of the stringer. Start by determining the number of posts you need and the post spacing. The main concern is a push outward from people leaning against the railing. They include the actual height of the rail above the deck, the height above grade when a guardrail is required and important baluster spacing dimensions.. We have also created separate illustrations for residential guards for the USA and Canada - depending on where you live. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Handrails are required for stairs and must meet standards as specified by R311.5.6.3 in the IRC code. A variety of styles are allowed as long as the interior sections of the rail don’t possess any openings large enough to pass a 4” diameter sphere through. Pin was discovered by Basic deck Designs to deck railing post spacing IRC and IBC building codes will have stringent! You 'll want the posts need to be at least 36 '' height. Less from the top rail must be tested to meet IRC and building. Step in installing a railing on your deck or porch any direction, or at any point along railing! Just finishing up the railing on your deck railing never touch the,... Handgrips must allow a minimum of 200-pounds of force applied horizontally or vertically lb force along... Minimum of 200-pounds of force applied horizontally or vertically the surface is 4 ” as Guard posts ) are spaced. ’ s diagonal pattern should be vertically spaced no less than 4 '' Basic deck.. 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