Table of Contents
Can deck railings be horizontal?
Your choice of design can help to give more character to your deck and enhance outdoor space. The railing is available in wooden, metal, PVC, fiberglass, composite, and cable materials. The arrangement of rails may be vertical or horizontal. Vertical railings are common in many homes.
What is the spacing for horizontal deck railing?
The IRC requires that the space between your balusters or boards must be less than 4″. To be on the safe side, I recommend using 3.5″ for your spacing. The last thing you want is to build your railing, and have an inspector not pass it because he’s able to fit a 4″ object through your railing.
What is code for horizontal deck railing?
Guards are required on decks where a point 36 inches horizontally from the edge is more than 30 inches above the ground. For residential work, guardrails need to be only 36 inches tall. The reason for the lower height is to allow people to see over the top of a railing when seated.
Does horizontal railings meet code?
We always recommend verifying your project details with a local code official before finalizing a project. Most often, horizontal railing systems are subject to the Sphere Rules, Handrail & Guardrail Height Requirements, and Load Requirements.
Are horizontal railings safe?
The long and short of all this research and code talk is that horizontal components in railing systems contain no climbing threat that is greater than any other guard.
Are horizontal railings allowed in Ontario?
Under the Ontario building code, horizontal railings that are used as deck, ramp, or stair guards are illegal. All guards must be vertical, unless, of course, the raised building platform is less than 36 inches above grade. That bottom railing should not be more than 4 inches from the floor.
What is code height for deck railing?
What Is Code For Deck Railing Height? The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36″ in height measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Commercial decks attached to multifamily buildings regulated under the International Building Code (IBC) require 42″ high guardrails.
How high can a deck be before you need a railing?
All decks greater than 30″ above grade must have a guardrail. If you choose to install a guardrail on a deck lower than 30″, you must still meet code requirements.
What is code for deck post spacing?
U.S. building code requires support posts for the rail structure to be no further apart than 6 feet on a deck with 4×4′ deck rail posts and no more than 8 feet apart for decks with 6×6′ deck rail posts. Posts should be no further apart than 5.5 feet on stairs.
How many balusters do I need?
The general rule is that your railing must have three balusters per foot (every 12 inches), although you can place them closer together if you’d like.
What is the ladder effect?
what is the “ladder effect?” Basically, it’s the idea that if you put anything resembling a ladder in front of a person, they will climb it.
Are horizontal railings safe for toddlers?
However, horizontal railing styles can be dangerous to children because of the ‘ladder effect. ‘ To prevent children from climbing and falling over railings, avoid horizontal-style cable railings.
How do you child proof a balcony?
If the railings on your deck or balcony create any gaps that are wider than 4 inches, you’ll need to make some modifications to stop your child from squeezing through. One option is to cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, a sheet of clear plastic, or rigid sheets of Plexiglas.
Are cable deck railings safe?
From a structural standpoint, today’s cable railing systems are some of the safest and most durable guardrails available. Due to the novelty and increased popularity of these systems, cable railings have at times been held to tighter standards than traditional vertical picket railings.
Can I use a 2×4 for a handrail?
According to the IRC (2018), you can use a 2×4 to make a handrail, but you must cut finger recesses along both sides of the board and position the lumber lengthwise on its end. Using a 2×4 as a handrail laid vertically is not allowed. Porch and deck guardrails made from 2x4s laid horizontally are permitted.
How do you attach a 4×4 to an existing deck?
The quickest and most secure way to mount a wooden 4×4 or 6×6 deck post to an existing deck surface is via an OZCO Post Base Kit or a Titan Post Anchor. Both of these items provide a solid, powder-coated steel connection point for your wooden post to attach to surface below.
What type of wood is used for deck railings?
Budget friendly deck rails are generally wood, usually pressure treated lumber, cedar or pine. The materials are inexpensive to buy and install but wood rails do come with increased maintenance costs.
What is the code for deck railings in Ontario?
Deck Railing Code Ontario To be more specific, some of the regulations are: Deck railing height should be a minimum of 36” for any platform elevated to 30” and more from the surface. The maximum space between the bottom rail and the surface is 4”.
What is considered a graspable handrail?
Definition: Graspability of a handrail refers to the ability to get a secure hold onto a handrailing whose purpose, after all, is both to guide a walker along a stair or other surface and to prevent or perhaps to interrupt slip trip and fall hazards.
How high can a deck be without a railing in Ontario?
The National Building Code of Canada which applies to Ontario stipulates that the railing height of decks or balconies that are 1.80m or 5′-11″ above grade must have a guardrail that is 42″ high. Decks less than 1.80, but 60cm (23-1/2″) must have a guardrail that is 36″ high.
