How to Frame Stair Guardrails

Stairs on a deck and patio will typically require a guardrail.

Stairs that are used with a desk or porch may need to have a stair railing added if the building code for your area requires it. Building codes in many cities require a stair railing for an outside staircase that has four or more risers. This means that if you are planning to build a deck, you will need to build or frame guardrails for the stairs.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-1 boards
• Power drill
• Screws
• Miter saw

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the stringers with the tape measure. Make a mark on each stringer every 4 inches for the placement of the railings.

2. Cut two pieces of 1-by-1 board to the length of the stringer.

3. Measure a 1-by-1 piece of wood to 38 inches and make a mark with the pencil. Repeat this step for the number of pencil marks you made on the stringers. This is the number or railings that are needed.

4. Cut the 1-by-1 boards to the required length with the miter saw.

5. Measure 2 inches from one end of the 1-by-1 boards and make a mark with the pencil.

6. Drill a hole on the mark with the power drill.

7. Measure 3 inches on the side of the step on each mark you made on the stringer earlier. Mark the stringer with the pencil.

8. Place the bottom of one 1-by-1 board on the 3-inch mark you made on the stringer. Inset a screw into the pre-drilled hole and tighten it with the power drill. Repeat this step to secure each piece of 1-by-1 board.

9. Place a 1-by-1 board that was cut to the length of the stringer on the outside of the stair rails to use as the handrail.

10. Drill a hole through the 1-by-1 board and attach it to the handrails with screws. Repeat this step for the other 1-by-1 board.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut a 2-by-4 board into two pieces for the handrail if you do not want to use the 1-by-1 board.

References

• HammerZone: Building Simple Deck Handrails With 2x4 Treated Lumber
• City of Berkely: Guardrail Plan Requirements