How to Put a Hand Railing on a Deck

Deck railings do more than just look good.

A deck railing can be beautiful, but it must be functional. Safety guidelines for deck railings may vary from place to place, but they generally must be at least 36 inches high and the balustrades, or pickets, must be no further than 6 inches from each other. Railings should be attached to the deck framing, and not the top of the deck, and the handrail must be small enough to grip easily. None of these guidelines need deter you from building a beautiful railing that will highlight the contours of your deck.

Things You'll Need

• 4-by-4 posts
• 2-by-6 top railings
• 2-by-4 bottom railings
• 2-by-2 balustrades
• Circular saw
• Goggles
• Hand saw
• Tape measure
• Combination square
• Pencil
• Level
• 1/2-by-6-inch carriage bolts
• 1/2-inch nuts and washers
• Drill
• 1/2-inch drill bit
• 1/2-inch wrench
• 3-inch decking screws
• No. 2 Phillips drill bit

Instructions

Setting the Posts

1. Mark positions for posts on the corners of the deck and at 72-inch intervals in between. Position extra posts at the stairway. Cut out the required number of 42-inch posts from 4-by-4 lumber.

2. Make a notch in the bottom of each post that is 1 3/4-inches deep and 6 inches long. Do this with a circular saw and a hand saw. Mark a line 6 inches from the bottom of the post, then set the depth of the saw to 1 3/4 inches and cross-cut along this line. Make two 1 3/4-inch marks on the bottom and draw lines from these marks to the ends of the cross-cut. Run the circular saw along these lines, starting at the bottom and ending at the cross-cut. Finish removing the notch with a hand saw.

3. Rest the posts on the decking with the ends hanging down over the rim joist. Drill two 1/2-inch holes through each post and continue through the rim joist. Use a level to ensure the post is straight as you drill. Bolt the posts to the rim joist with carriage bolts.

Making the Railing

1. Set 2-by-6 railing on top of the posts, making sure that they join at the center points of the posts. Screw them down with 3-inch screws.

2. Screw a piece of 2-by-2 to the bottom of each railing that stretches from post to post and is about 1/2 inch from the outside edge. This will be used to support the balustrades.

3. Cut the bottom railings out of 2-by-4 lumber so that they fit snugly between the posts. Cut enough 32-inch balustrades from 2-by-2 lumber to fit on the railing at 6-inch intervals, with one balustrade at each end of the railing. Screw these balustrades into the bottom railing, using one screw in each one.

4. Set the bottom rail in place so that the balustrades are just touching the top railing, using two pieces of 4-by-4 as supports. Screw them into the balustrade support on the top railing, using the level to make sure each one is straight. Screw the balustrades on the ends of the railings into the posts.

5. Sand and finish the railing.

Tips & Warnings

• Redwood and cedar are excellent railing materials. Do not use pressure-treated wood because it is toxic and full of splinters.

• Exercise care when working with power tools, especially circular saws. Wear goggles and keep your hands out of the way of moving blades.

References

• LearnAboutDeckDesign: Tips on Deck Railing Design
• You Tube: Installing Deck Railing