Decks and Rails
Building deck railing is not the most difficult of building projects. Once you know the measurements and the required building codes, then it’s a matter of placing the posts in the right location, measure between the posts, build the railing, set them in place, fasten them and install the hand rail (top 2x6). Tools For The Job Safety glasses Materials 2’’x 4” spruce Building The Deck Railing Cut the spindles to 29-˝ inches (out of 2x2s or rip a 2x4 at 1-11/16“ wide You will have to san the sawed edges and round off the corners). Measure from the bottom of the posts and cut two 2x4s to fit tight between the posts. (two per section of deck railing). Lay the 2x4s on a flat surface (on their edge) and spared them apart so you can lay the spindles between the 2x4s. The spindles are laid on a piece of wood (one inch thick or a carpenter’s level since it is one inch thick). Make sure that the narrower side of the spindle is facing the flat surface. Spindle layout - First Choice Your first choice is to mark a ˝’’ line on one end of the spindle (at center of the spindle) and a mark on the center of the railing. You can do this step on both sides. Line up both marks and nail the rail to the spindle with one nail just to hold it in place. Cut a piece of 2x4x3-˝” so you have a square at 3-˝”. This is to use as a spacing guide. Now fit the spacing block, touching the side of the spindle and place the next spindle touching the spacer block. Repeat the last step on both sides of the center spindle. It, a good idea to leave the spindles without nailing them until you do the whole side, just in case you have to make adjustments. If you end up with more then 4’’ at the end, use another spindle. Second choice - Use a Table of measurements Measure the distance between posts.Cut the two 2x4s to fit between the posts. Lay the 2x4s on edge and spread them apart Use two pieces of wood - each one inch thick ( a carpenter’s level will do since it is one inch thick). Lay the spindles between the 2x4s and on the one inch thick wood.(Make sure that the narrower side of the spindle is facing the flat surface). Cut a block according to the table of measurements Place the block (the block is just a spacer for precision.) flash with the end of the 2x4 and fasten the first spindle to the bottom of the 2x4. Now use the proper spacer on the other side of the first spindle and fasten it from the bottom of the 2x4. Repeat until all spindles are fastened to one end and then the other end. Drive one screw on one side of the 2x4” and two screws on the other side. This will prevent the spindle from twisting around. Place one piece of block (2x4) on each side between the posts and place the railing on top of the blocks to get 3-˝ inches of clearance from the deck floor. (the top 2x4” of the rail should be flash with the top of the posts). Screw the top and bottom rails from both sides to the posts. Cut 2x6” to fit the length of the railing and center it on the top 2x4s. Note: If the posts are not higher then the rail and you end up with a 90 degree turn, then you will have to cut the 2x6 at a 90 degree angle. Good Luck!
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