How to Build Deck Railings

Deck railings are an essential part of a deck, especially if you have children and pets that may otherwise fall off of the deck if it weren’t for the railing. Safety is the number one concern when it comes to building a deck railing so you must make sure that you have followed appropriate building codes and safety codes, and that you have secured the railing to the deck in a way that there is no possibility of the railing falling loose if someone were to lean on it. Here is a step by step guide to building a deck railing that will add a sense of safety and security to your deck.

Materials to Build Deck Railings

Screws
Carriage bolts
Drill
Chop saw
2 x 2 wood strips
4 x 4 deck posts
2 x 4 wood

Steps to Building a Deck Railing

Begin by measuring the deck perimeter so that you know how much wood you will need to build the railing. You will need enough 2 x 4 to go around the perimeter where railing is needed times 2 and you will need posts at every 4 feet. In addition to the posts and the 2 x 4 for the railing, you will also need to create deck spindles for every 6-8 inches depending on your state guidelines and your own preference for safety.

Once you have determined the amount of wood that you will need you can also begin purchasing the hardware for the deck railing. You will need 2 carriage bolts per deck railing spindle and also 7 inch carriage bolts for each of the posts.

Using the 4 x 4 deck posts, begin creating the foundation for the deck railing by drilling holes in the deck where the deck posts will be placed. You should use 4 seven inch carriage bolts to bolt each deck post to the existing deck as the main support for the railing. At the space where the deck post will be placed, drill a hole 3.5 inches apart on all four corners so that you have a place to attach the post with the bolts. Attach posts in this manner all the way around the perimeter of the deck. Make sure that you install these posts every 4-6 feet for maximum security and safety.

Using the 2 x 4, begin creating the deck railing for the lower end of the posts. Measure a 2 x 4 that is the length of the space between your posts and then add 1.5 inches to either side. This way you can adhere the 2 x 4 using carriage bolts at either end to the deck posts. Secure the top railing made from 2 x 4 also in the same manner.

Once you have secured the deck posts and the top and lower railing to the deck you are ready to begin securing the spindles. Each spindle should be the height of the deck railing (at least 4 feet) and should have a hole drilled at the top of the spindle and the lower end of the spindle. Measure 1.5 inches from the top and from the bottom and use the drill to drill holes in the center at 1.5 inches on each spindle. Remember that you need one spindle for ever 6-8 inches all the way across the railing.

Using the carriage bolts, begin securing the spindles at even intervals along the 2 x 4 that you already secured in place on the deck railing. Each spindle should be completely tightened to assure the safety of the final deck railing project.

Once you have secured all of the deck posts, the railing on the top and lower portion and the spindles at every 6-8 inches your deck railing is ready to seal and begin enjoying. A wood sealer can be applied to prevent the deck railing from rotting under various weather conditions such as sleet, snow and rain!