Decked-Out Railings

Whether you’re building a new deck or fixing an old one, deck railings are the perfect chance to break away from the ordinary and display your artistic side.

Carefully planned, railings can frame a good view or block a bad one, and they can recede into the background or act as outdoor walls. They can be elaborate examples of a carpenter’s creativity or take a fashionably minimalist approach.

Simply put, they provide a terrific opportunity for you to personalize your home, whatever your vision.

Some Basic Requirements

While they are an important visual ingredient in a deck, railings, of course, are first and foremost a safety feature. The details of their design and construction are spelled out in the building code.

Keep in mind as you look at railings that you might not be able to build exactly what you see--local ordinances could restrict the finer points of the design. But don’t be discouraged. Often it’s only necessary to tweak a dimension or two to bring the deck into compliance with local standards.

Generally, elevated decks--typically more than 30 inches off the ground--require railings that will keep adults of average stature from taking a fall: Some jurisdictions require railings as high as 42 inches, but most are set at 36 inches.

Openings between upright or horizontal elements are scaled to prevent children from easily crawling through the rails and getting stuck between members. For vertical members, the clearance is generally from 4 to 6 inches. A maximum spacing of 3 1/2 inches will eliminate any concern.

For horizontal components, the typical range is 6 to 9 inches. Railings should also be able to withstand horizontal forces of at least 20 pounds per square foot. The factors involved: the thickness of the railing material, the distance it spans between rails or posts and the method of attachment.

One of the most frequently used methods of attaching rails to posts is toe-nailing, though this is one of the weakest methods. Better alternatives include metal connectors, a rail that’s mortised into the post and pinned with a nail or screw and rails that are attached to the outside or inside faces of the posts.

In some cases, climatic conditions will exert an influence on a railing design. For windy locations, sections of the railing might have to be built up to do double duty as a breeze buffer. Different configurations--baffles angled out or in, perforated or louvered screens--solve different problems, diffusing or redirecting the air currents.

If yours is a wind-swept site, a deck contractor or an architect will be able to offer advice on how to best address the specific situation at your house.

Because the deck is an extension of your living space, you’ll want the finished product to relate to the architecture of your home as much as possible. The deck should continue the character of your home and be made of similar materials.

But you don’t have to limit yourself to wood. Extruded plastic, metal pipe, rope, steel cable and mesh are all viable options, each offering a different look whether it’s used as an accent or principal element.

Use a material that can stand up to the sun, moisture and extreme temperatures. And if it can do that without much maintenance, so much the better.

Whether you fancy up your deck railing with integral planters or seating, or you prefer a simpler style, you’re limited only by your imagination.

Reprinted from the pages of Today’s Homeowner magazine. To receive more expert advice on improving your home, call (800) 456-6369 or visit the Web site at https://www.todayshomeowner.com.