Do-it-Yourself Deck Railing Installation
- 1). Verify with your deck plans for the length of the railing posts and balusters for your specific deck.
- 2). Measure and cut 4-by-4 posts with a circular saw. Cut the tops of the posts square, and cut the bottom of the posts at a 45-degree angle. Seal the cut ends with a sealer according to the manufacturer's directions.
- 3). Drill two pilot holes through the bottom of each post, spacing them 4 inches apart. Drill the pilot holes to a depth of ½ inch using a 1-inch spade bit and a drill.
- 4). Measure and cut 2-by-2 balusters using a circular saw for the main deck. Cut off the tops, and cut the bottoms at a 45-degree angle. Seal the cut ends with a sealer according to the manufacturer's directions.
- 5). Drill two pilot holes near the bottom of the balusters, spacing them 4 inches apart. Drill two pilot holes at the top of the balusters, spacing them 1 ½ inches apart. Drill the pilot holes with a 1-inch spade bit and drill.
- 6). Measure and mark the position around the outside of your deck using a combination square as your guide. For correct spacing, the posts should not be spaced any more than 6 feet apart. Plan on installing a post on the outside edge of each stair stringer.
- 7). Place each post with the angled end flush with the bottom of the deck. Plumb the post using a carpenter's level, and insert a screwdriver into the pilot holes. Mark this side of the deck using a pencil. Remove the post and drill a pilot hole into the side of the deck using a 1-inch spade bit and drill on the mark you made.
- 8). Attach the railing posts to the side of the deck with lag screws, washers and a ratchet wrench. Seal the screw heads with silicone caulking and a caulking gun.
- 9). Measure and cut 2-by-4 side rails. Place the rails so the edges are flush with the tops of the posts. Attach the rails to the posts using deck screws and a drill.
- 10
Join the 2-by-4s by cutting the ends at a 45-degree angle for long rails. Drill pilot holes using a 1-inch spade bit and drill, and attach the rails using galvanized nails and a hammer. Screws may split the mitered ends of the lumber. - 11
Attach the ends of the rails to the stairway posts, aligning them flush with the edges of the posts. Drill pilot holes, and attach the rails with deck screws and a drill. - 12
Stand at the stairway and measure from the surface of the decking to the top of the upper post with a tape measure. Transfer this measurement to the lower stairway post, measuring from the edge of the stair stringer with a tape measure. - 13
Place the 2-by-4 rail against the inside of the stairway posts. Align it with the top rear corner of the top post, and with the pencil mark, you made on the lower post. Have a helper attach the rail temporarily with deck screws and a drill. - 14
Mark the outline of the post and of the deck rail on the backside of the stair rail with a pencil. Outline the stairway rail on the lower stairway post with a pencil. - 15
Mark the plumb cutoff line at the bottom end of the stairway rail using a carpenter's level and pencil. Remove the rail. - 16
Extend the pencil lines across both sides of the stairway post with a combination square as your guide. - 17
Cut off the lower stairway post following the diagonal cutoff line using a circular saw. Cut the stairway rail along the marked outlines using a jig saw. - 18
Place the stairway rail flush against the top edge of the posts. Drill pilot holes and then attach the rail to the posts with deck screws and a drill. - 19
Refer to your deck plans to find the spacing distance between the balusters. Cut a scrap piece of lumber to the spacing distance to use as a spacer block to help create equal spacing between the balusters. - 20
Position each baluster tight against the spacer block, beginning next to a plumb railing post, placing the top of the baluster flush with the top of the rail. Attach each baluster with deck screws and a drill. - 21
Position a baluster against the stringer and the rail for the stairway, and adjust it until plumb. Use the top of the stair rail as your guide and draw a diagonal cutoff line on the top of the baluster with a pencil. Cut the baluster on the marked line with a miter saw. Seal the ends of the baluster with a sealer according to the manufacturer's directions. - 22
Begin next to the upper stairway post, and place each baluster tight against the spacer block. Flush the top to the top of the stair rail. Attach the balusters with deck screws and a drill. - 23
Install the railing top cap by positioning the 2-by-6 cap so the edge is flush with the inside of the rail. Drill pilot holes and attach the cap to the rail with deck screws and a drill. Drive the deck screws into the rail every 12 inches. Drive screws into each post, and every third baluster. - 24
Miter cut the ends of the railing cap at a 45-degree angle at the corners. Drill pilot holes and attach the cap to the post with deck screws and a drill. - 25
Cut the top cap so that it is flush with the stairway rail at the top of the stairs. Drill pilot holes and attach the cap with deck screws and a drill.
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