How to Build Stair Railings on a Wooden Deck

A railing is needed for stairs off a deck

Stairs that are built for a deck on the exterior of a house may require a handrail or railings if there are more than two steps from the deck to the ground. A stair railing is needed to help people when going up and down the stairs and keep them from falling. To build a stair railing on a wooden deck you will need to determine the length of the deck stairs and then cut the railing.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Pencil Circular saw Nail gun Power drill Lag bolt Socket wrench 1-inch by 1-inch board Table saw

Instructions

1. Measure a 2-by-4 board to a length of 40 inches with the tape measure and mark with the pencil. Repeat this step on a second 2-by-4 board. Cut the 2-by-4 boards on the pencil mark with the circular saw.

2. Measure from one end of each board 4 inches and mark with the pencil. Set one of the 2-by-4 boards against the top stair. The mark on the board needs to be at the edge of the stair. Drive one nail into the board with the nail gun to secure it to the side of the stair. Repeat this step for the bottom stair.

3. Measure the distance from the top of the stair to the top of the 2-by-4 board. This distance should be 36 inches.

4. Drill two holes into each 2-by-4 board and the side of the stair with the power drill. Insert a lag bolt into the hole and tighten it with the socket wrench.

5. Measure the distance between the two 2-by-4 boards with the tape measure. Add six inches to this measurement.

6. Measure and cut a 2-by-4 board to the measurement you calculated in step 5. This will be the hand rail for the stair railing. Set the 2-by-4 board against the top of the two 2-by-4 boards on the stairs. Make sure the top of the board is flush with the front corner of the two 2-by-4 boards. Secure the 2-by-4 boards together with the nail gun.

7. Measure and cut the 1-inch by 1-inch boards to 38 inches. These will be the spindles for the stair railing. You will need one spindle for each stair.

8. Set each spindle in place against the stair and 2-by-4 railing. Attach the spindles to the stair and railing with the nail gun.

9. Set the guide on the table saw to a width of 2 inches and cut a 2-by-4 the length of the railing. Place the cut piece on top of the railing and secure it with the nail gun. This will be the hand grip for the railing.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the stair railing to match the color of your deck.

References

• Manage My LIfe: Build Deck Stairs
• HammerZone: Building Simple Deck Handrails With 2x4 Treated Lumber