How To Install Deck Handrail For Stairs

Mark kranenburg walks you through how to construct a simple wood deck rail on a deck and down a set of stairs.

How to install deck handrail for stairs. To build a deck railing start by figuring out how many posts you need then cut your wood to size and install the posts. Now you ll need to attach the stairs to the deck. In addition to the stair railing you ll need wall mounted handrail brackets a package of two part 90 second epoxy and about 4 ft. Guardrails must be provided on the open side of a stair where it is more than 30 above the floor or grade.

Before building and installing deck stair railings we have to attach the deck posts on the deck surface. Thick gravel base then pour a concrete slab or lay paving stones. Consequently according to the structure of your deck you can either anchor the posts on the floor using post anchors or you can fasten them to the deck joists using lag screws. Then buy balusters and wood according to your measurements or cut the wood down to size yourself.

Temporarily attach your stairs to the deck to mark the locations for your postholes. First build a level landing pad for the stair stringers. Pine and poplar rails cost less. How to install deck stair railings.

You don t need to pour a footing. Fasten the third 2 by 4 to the posts with railing brackets. Next mark the railing height on the posts with a pencil and double check the distance between the posts. How to build stair railing.

Stair railing and balusters diy deck stairs handrails measure up the posts to the railing height minus 1 1 2 inches and mark the posts. No opening shall allow a 4 3 8 sphere to pass through with the exception that you are allowed a larger opening. Continue installing your stringers 16 inches apart for the width of your stairs. See how to build deck stairs for more information make the bottom tread cut 1 1 2.

If you choose the 2 x 4 handrail you can use a piece of 2 x material to create a 1 1 2 inch gap between the top rail and the handrail. Lay out and cut the stringers. Just dig out and compact a minimum 4 in. Use a vertical 2 x 4 pressure treated board with routed edges or an exterior grade metal rail.

Stair rails must be at least 34 high measured from the nosing of the stair treads. Hardwood handrails for stairs like the oak stair railing we re using are more expensive.