| In this article, you will learn more about the functions | | | | Deck Railing Choices |
| of your deck railings. Deck railings serve two | | | | Safety is the major reason for deck railings, but they |
| different purposes. The purposes are to keep you | | | | can also add character and visual interest to your |
| and your friends and family save and to help make | | | | deck and home. You can even create an unusual look |
| the deck more visually appealing. | | | | by using multicolored railings that will draw the eye. |
| Deck Railings Are A Necessity | | | | There are several different materials that you can |
| Decks definitely need deck railings. In most cases, | | | | use, including wood, PVC, aluminum, or even a |
| deck railings are necessary due to the building codes. | | | | combination of materials. |
| If you are not going to follow the building codes, | | | | Railing Requirements |
| then you need to realize that you are setting | | | | In railing installation, you need to keep two things in |
| yourself up for some painful consequences, including | | | | mind. These things are: |
| lawsuits, fines, and more. By simply adding railings to | | | | 1. Railing Height: This is usually dictated by the building |
| your deck, you will be able to save yourself the | | | | codes of your particular area. The height is usually at |
| unnecessary harassment and the financial drain that | | | | least 30 inches, but check with your local city or |
| may occur. A lower deck railing height than is required | | | | state building commission to ensure that your railings |
| by the building codes is sometimes the corner that | | | | are the correct height. |
| some people cut and there are some reasons why | | | | 2. Railing Construction: Depending upon the building |
| this is not safe. | | | | codes, you will need to place your posts at intervals |
| Railings and Building Codes | | | | that are dictated to you. A proper deck railing needs |
| Building codes are different depending upon where | | | | to have a few different components, including a |
| you live, but most of them have a law that says | | | | bottom rail, vertical rail, and a top rail. The bottom rail |
| that if the deck is more than 3 feet from the ground | | | | helps to make the railing look more complete. The |
| or another horizontal surface, that you will need to | | | | vertical rails need to be spaced so that a child cannot |
| have a way to protect from falls. A wall is an | | | | get through the railings. A top railing may be one |
| acceptable way to protect from falling, but a wall can | | | | piece or two and they are used to give additional |
| be an obstruction to your view. This is a very costly | | | | strength to the railing structure and to attach the |
| way to meet the building code and it does not make | | | | verticals to. This is the piece that sees the most |
| you any safer than deck railing would. | | | | wear from hands and from weather. |