How to Connect a Deck Railing Post to a Deck
In most circumstances, a deck that exceeds 18 inches from the surrounding terrain requires a railing be installed. Ensuring your deck's railing is safe and dependable begins with properly securing the railing posts to the deck structure. The basic method for 4-by-4 deck posts can be adapted to any post dimension and firmly attaches the posts to provide a sturdy railing support for any railing design. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Combination square
- Sawhorses (optional)
- Circular saw
- Electric drill
- 1/2-inch wood drill bit
- Handsaw
- 4-by-4-by-48-inch wood posts
- 1/2-inch carriage bolts, nuts and flat washers
Instructions
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1
Layout the equal spacing of the deck post locations, then mark a square vertical line down the face of the rim joist at each post position marked.
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2
Rest a 4-by-4 by 48-inch wood post across sawhorses or on a flat surface, then measure from one end and make a mark at 40 1/2 inches. Use a square to extend the mark across the width of the post.
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3
Set the depth of cut on the circular saw to 1 1/2 inches, then cut the line on the side of the line toward the bottom or short end of the post.
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4
Roll the post up on its side and mark a square line from the end of the saw cut to the bottom of the post, then roll the post over and make the same mark on the opposite side.
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5
Reset the circular saw's depth of cut to the full depth, then cut both lines marked in Step 4, stopping the cut when it reaches the cross cut. Keep the blade cut to the narrower side of the line to intersect with the first cut.
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6
Roll the post over and repeat for the opposite side of the post, then use a handsaw to complete the cutting out of the notch in the post base. This notch will fit over the rim joist to support the post and railing assembly.
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7
Rotate the post so that the notch is downward and mark a centerline on the post opposite the notch for the post's bolt holes. Measuring from the bottom end of the post, opposite the notch, make marks on the centerline at 2 inches and 5 1/2 inches, if your deck has a 7 1/2-inch rim joist, or make marks on the centerline at 3 inches and 5 1/2 inches if your deck has a 5 1/2-inch rim joist.
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8
Drill 1/2-inch holes on the center points, through the face of the post to the notched side using an electric drill and 1/2-inch wood bit.
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9
Remove the decking boards along the edge of the deck, if applicable. The post notch must sit directly on top of the rim joist, then the decking must be notched around the posts as necessary.
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10
Set the post on the rim joist and positioned so that the centerline on the rim joist can be seen centered in the drilled bolt holes in the post base. Use a level to plumb the post, then use a pencil to mark each bolt hole on the face of the rim joist.
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11
Drill 1/2 inch holes in rim joist at center points using an electric drill and 1/2-inch wood bit.
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12
Insert a 1/2 carriage bolt into each post hole, through the rim joist, then place a flat washer on the bolt and thread the nut onto the bolt. Use a level to make certain the post is plumb, then use an adjustable wrench to tighten each nut.
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Resources
- Photo Credit deck image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
