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Deck stair railing should stand at least 34 inches high, measuring vertically from the nose of the stair tread to the top of the rail. The IRC specifies that deck stair railing should measure between 34 and 38 inches high, so homeowners may wish to use railing that is even higher than 34 inches for their deck stairs.
How tall is a normal deck railing?
Installing deck railing is easy if you use an anchored handrail system. Standard rail height is 36 to 42 inches; posts will need to be 10 inches longer.
What is code for deck railing posts?
U.S. building code requires support posts for the rail structure to be no further apart than 6 feet on a deck with 4×4′ deck rail posts and no more than 8 feet apart for decks with 6×6′ deck rail posts. Posts should be no further apart than 5.5 feet on stairs.
What is the maximum height of a deck railing?
All decks greater than 30″ above grade must have a guardrail. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30″, you must still meet code requirements. Decks attached to single-family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC).
What is the maximum height of a deck without railing?
He’d made a point of building his deck so as to stay under the 30-inch requirement–which is the maximum deck height you can have without a railing.
What is code for railing height?
Handrail Height: 34 to 38 Inches Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches. The way this is measured is to begin at the leading edge of the stair nosing and run an imaginary vertical line upward until it reaches the top of the railing.
How far apart should railings be?
In order to comply with building regulations and codes, balusters must be spaced no more than 4 inches apart on center. The general rule is that your railing must have three balusters per foot (every 12 inches), although you can place them closer together if you’d like.
Can you notch a 4×4 deck railing post?
Say “No” to notching pressure-treated deck posts. We want you to build an outdoor railing system that you, your family and guests can enjoy without worrying about safety issues. In order to do so, you need to know this building shortcut is not advisable, and we recommend avoiding it at all costs.
What is the distance between deck railing posts?
The structural integrity of the railing depends heavily on the posts that support the rail structure. 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. Your local building department might require closer post spacing for added rail strength.
Do deck stairs need railings on both sides?
Do I Need Handrails On Both Sides of Deck Stairs? Nope. You don’t need a handrail on both sides, but you may need a railing if your deck is higher than 30″. Many contractors construct a combo handrail and stair rail system, installed on both sides, to cover all safety requirements.
Do I need a railing on my deck?
If your deck is below 30 inches, a railing is not required. With that said, if you choose to build a deck, even if it is only 24 inches off the ground, that is still high enough that even an adult could injure themselves. When you take your kids and pets into account, the risk is even higher.
How high should deck railing be in California?
Deck railing height standards can vary from state to state but typically require a 36″ or 42″ railing. In California, deck railings are required to be a minimum of 42″ tall measured from the deck surface to the top of the guardrail.
How do you measure a porch railing?
To compute the spacing distance between balusters: Measure the width of a baluster. Multiply 1.5 inches times the number of balusters. Subtract that from the distance between the posts: 68.5 inches – 19.5 inches = 49. Divide that by the total number of spaces.
How do you evenly space deck balusters?
How to Evenly Space Spindles on Decks Measure the width of the gap between the inner surfaces of the two support posts. Measure the width of a single spindle. Add the two figures together. Count the number of spindles to be used and add one. Divide the sum of the width by the sum of the number of spindles.
Can a 2×4 be used as a handrail?
According to the IRC (2018), you can use a 2×4 to make a handrail, but you must cut finger recesses along both sides of the board and position the lumber lengthwise on its end. Using a 2×4 as a handrail laid vertically is not allowed. Porch and deck guardrails made from 2x4s laid horizontally are permitted.
How do I add height to my deck railing?
If needed, you could wrap the existing post with 3/4, 5/4 or 2x to make them taller. Then cap them. Use the existing rail and add a 2×6 to the bottom so that the space from the rail to the deck is < 4″. You should also make sure the spacing between the pickets is < 4″.
How tall is a 4×4 post?
Maximum Allowable Height for a 4×4 Deck Support Post The maximum allowable 4×4 deck support post height under the 2015 IRC is 8-feet. The longer a post, the more likely it is to bend under load than shorter posts, thus the limit set on the height of 4×4 posts.
Is it illegal not to have a handrail on stairs?
Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this. Handrails should be placed between 900mm and 1000mm above the highest point on the staircase steps.
How do you measure for an outdoor stair railing?
5 Easy Steps For Measuring Step 1 – Measure the overall height. Step 2 – Measure the overall length. Step 3 – Length of nosing. Step 4 – Depth of finished tread. Step 5 – Height of finished tread.
How is railing length measured?
Walk to the bottom stair of the staircase and place the end of a tape measure directly on top of the stair tread against the wall. Measure up to the desired distance where you want to hang the railing. Typically the handrail is between 25 and 36 inches above the stair treads.
