Deck Railings Do’s and Don’ts
Deck railing is a safety feature that prevents accidents by children and pets falling off of elevated decks. Deck railings are not decorative, they are necessary for your peace of mind and to protect loved ones from harm. This article discusses “Do’s” and “Don’ts” in deck railing construction. Deck railings allow homeowners to enjoy grilling and an outdoor lifestyle while knowing their family’s safety is ensured. Decks without railings become death traps for children, pets, or even adults when the deck collapses unexpectedly due to poor construction or wear-and-tear over time. The symptoms of a poorly constructed deck include splitting, buckling, warping, sagging, and movement of the deck in the middle. This is because wood decks are not designed to be load-bearing. The supports (posts) are only designed to hold up the weight of two people standing on them with no one holding on to the railing. If you notice these symptoms in your deck, it is time for a new railing!
Do’s for Deck Railings
Below are do’s for deck railings:
1. Deck railings should be placed on all decks.
A railing is required for decks more than 30 inches high. Do not make the mistake of saying that you have a wood deck and railings are not necessary, because wood decks can collapse. The main support posts may fall down upon structural failure from decay or rot or even severe weather damage such as floods or hurricanes. The collapse of a deck can result in serious injury or death. The requirement is not greater than 30 inches high.
2. Make sure railings are topped with loop locks, test you deck before using them with key locks.
Instead of using a loop lock, try to use a keylock system for your railing. The keylocks work well because when the post breaks, the keylock will hold the posts together and may prevent the falling down of your deck. A problem may occur if you use the same bolt hole to attach both the railing and post to each other since one might break while performing maintenance on it or while installing it to its proper location on your deck.
3. Wait for your appropriate railing size before you place it on your deck.
Make sure you have the right railing size for your deck. The railing size you need should be based on the width of the deck, the weight limit of your children and pets, and any other features that may need to be in mind such as a ball field or a pool that might not be installed yet. If you attempt to install one too small, it will be very difficult to fit it all around your deck since most stairways require space, and that same space will have to be secured. So, make sure you measure correctly before installing yours.
4. Make sure you always use high quality decking and fix your railing so that it will not break.
The same thing goes when you are installing your railing. Make sure you use the right decking material on your deck. It should be made of high-quality lumber that will not crack or break as soon as it is installed even after months of use. The high standards of materials and construction raise the chances of cracks, warping, and sagging, which would usually be a major problem for your new railing.
5. Install the railing so that it is about two inches away from the edge of your deck.
If you are worried about how your deck railings look, then do not worry. You can easily camouflage it with a flowerbed or even a small plant. You might also add some decorative railing caps to your wooden rails so they will not just look like a piece of wood bolted to the top of your deck.
Don’ts for Deck Railings
Here are some don’ts for deck railings:
1. Do not put your decking on the top of a railing support post or it will not last long.
The deck should sit on a post at least two inches away from the edge of your deck to let it breathe. Otherwise, you will find that your new railing is so close to the edge and may end up smashing against it when you are using it. When filling up your trunk area above the railings, consider putting down plastic floor covering so your trunk won’t have any direct contact with the wooden railing post.
2. Do not nail in low-quality gates to hold railings in place.
If you can’t find the perfect fitting gate or if you are on a budget, make sure that you do not use one that is made of low-quality materials. You will have to replace them after short periods of time, which will cost you a lot more money in the future. If it does not fit properly, then do not force it into place. The right railing needs to be hung with the right hardware and also by using the right steps when installing.
3. Do not leave any gaps between your deck’s surface and your railing posts.
If the surface of your deck is not exactly level, then do not go any further. Just make sure that the deck is built with enough space between it and the railings so they cannot get clamped together. Otherwise, you will find that your new railing will not look natural and will end up looking as if it has been bolted to the top of your deck instead of being fitted perfectly around it.
4. Do not use wooden posts to support a deck railing support post.
Wooden posts should only be used for decorative purposes such as using them for flower planters or even walking sticks in patio areas where people enjoy spending time with loved ones and friends.
Conclusion
Deck railing is a vital part of any deck. It is important that you do not skimp out on the cost of a good railing since it can also save your life. Do not try to install a low-quality or low-cost railing on your deck because they will only last for a short period of time, which means you will have to replace them very soon. Also, never use any materials that are considered unsafe to install in your home and property such as PVC pipe for your deck railings.