In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade. If you are concerned about safety, consider these lower distances for railings.
When do I need a railing on my porch?
In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade.
Does a deck need a railing?
If your deck is below 30 inches, a railing is not required. With that said, if you choose to build a deck, even if it is only 24 inches off the ground, that is still high enough that even an adult could injure themselves. When you take your kids and pets into account, the risk is even higher.
How high should a railing guard be on a porch?
Any porch or deck 30 inches above grade should have a railing guard at least 36 inches high from the platform surface. Hand railings protect people against accidental falls. Even if your porch is less than 30 inches above grade, installing a railing for additional safety may be worthwhile.
What kind of railing do you use for porch steps?
4. Kee Klamp customer Robert built this railing so it goes up the steps and across the porch before mounting to the wall. It uses a combination of fittings from this Surface & Wall Mount Railing Kit and an Obtuse Angle Elbow fitting to transition from the steps to the landing.
Can you have a porch without railings?
In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade.
Should a front porch have a railing?
Any porch or deck 30 inches above grade should have a railing guard at least 36 inches high from the platform surface. Hand railings protect people against accidental falls. Even if your porch is less than 30 inches above grade, installing a railing for additional safety may be worthwhile.
What is the maximum height of a porch without railing?
When Is a Deck Guardrail Not Needed? Some decks are not required to have guardrails, provided those decks are no more than 30 inches above grade. If you see a deck that has no guardrails (also called a low-rise deck), this might be the reason: its height is below 30 inches.
Can you have a deck without a railing?
If your deck is below 30 inches, a railing is not required. With that said, if you choose to build a deck, even if it is only 24 inches off the ground, that is still high enough that even an adult could injure themselves.
What is a farmers porch?
Farmers Porch: A farmer's porch (sometimes referred to as an open porch) is a style that is traditional to old New England homes. These open-air porches can wrap around the sides of your home, or just run along the front of your house. They can be spotted by the sturdy beams that support the porch.
How do you install rails on a front porch?
0:2010:58Porch Railing installation, aluminum pre-assembled Universal Rail.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou get in the box you'll get four brackets like this there's two goes at the bottom two goes at theMoreYou get in the box you'll get four brackets like this there's two goes at the bottom two goes at the top for mounting the report's railing to the post. So you get four of those.
How high does a deck have to be to require a railing?
Building codes vary, but most require a railing on decks more than 24 inches above the ground. A railing height requirement of 36 inches is common. If you're using treated wood, make sure to use an end cut sealer on all the cuts to protect the exposed untreated wood.
How wide can steps be without a railing?
1.2. The clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) between handrails is not required for exit stairways accessed from a horizontal exit. The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but such width shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm).
At what height does a platform need a railing?
29 CFR 1926.500(d)(1) requires every opensided floor or platform 6 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level to be guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder.
How many steps before you need a railing?
Building Codes The building code does not refer to the number of “steps” but it does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps.
What are the OSHA requirements for handrails?
The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B)) and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(i)) (as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail).
Do you legally have to have a handrail on stairs?
Handrails are mandatory. Stairs should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than one metre wide, and on both sides if wider than this. Handrails should be placed between 900mm and 1000mm above the highest point on the staircase steps.
Why are railings so difficult to install?
In addition, some people feel railings are difficult to install because their decks are an unusual shape. This shouldn’t be a concern, though. There are some great, easy-to-install railing kits available for decks with unorthodox shapes.
Why don't people install railings?
Building a deck is not an inexpensive decision, so when someone is tasked with the decision to spend extra money on something they “don’t need,” like a deck railing, the choice seems obvious: save money . There’s also the aesthetic factor of not having a railing.
What is cable railing?
Cable railing is great for those looking for a chic railing for their deck , as well as a railing that will not hinder any views. They’re versatile and can be used on decks, docks, and even interior spaces for a clean, utilitarian look. Stainless steel gives any deck a super sleek look. Some homeowners and builders expect stainless steel ...
How much force does a Trex deck need?
Uniform Load Test: The top rail of your deck must be able to withstand at least 125 lbs of force (applied vertically or horizontally).
What are the different types of railings?
There are five types of railings—vinyl, cable, stainless, composite, and metal —and they each have their own benefits and style.
Can a deck railing break bones?
It may seem like a short distance, but any fall can lead to broken bones or other injuries. Rather than being ever-vigilant when the kids are horsing around on the deck, deck railing helps give you peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy the view.
Is stainless steel good for decks?
Stainless steel gives any deck a super sleek look. Some homeowners and builders expect stainless steel to be expensive, but it’s surprising how affordable it can be. Plus, stainless steel is made to withstand the test of time, making it a more durable and cost-effective choice in the long run.
Looking for Porch Railing Ideas?
When it comes to porch railings, the first consideration for style is that they should match the style of the porch or deck that you are installing it on.
10 Unique Porch Railing Ideas
Let’s work through some creative porch railing ideas that will help bring the front of your house to life.
Things to Consider
With these examples in your mind, you should have a good idea of the general approaches you can take for your porch railing. And between materials, color, and baluster shape there is no shortage of specific combinations that you can design for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
On top of these porch railing ideas, let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions people have when thinking about what kind of porch railing is right for them.
Why do people put rails on their porch?
There’s no doubt about it: railings on your porch are great for safety. They can prevent accidents on steps in icy weather or they can help aging people maintain their independence. But no one wants to add an ugly railing system to their home, especially if it’s difficult to install.
Why is a railing good?
A good railing system serves many purposes. It provides safety and stability, looks great, and increases the value of your home. Plus, it should be easy and quick to build. Our handrail kits make it easier than ever to build a railing for your front porch or back deck all on you own.
Decking Codes
Decks higher than 30 inches is the rule for railings. If your deck is shorter you can get away without a railing. Anything that is 30 inches or taller will need a railing installed to follow code and most importantly keep you and your family safe from injury.
Why You Should Install a Railing
Reason one is always going to be safety. We highly recommend installing a deck railing if you have young children or entertain older adults. Even if your deck is only 20 inches off the ground, a fall from here could still cause injuries. Another reason to do so is because it will make your deck look even better.
Codes, Codes, Codes
Not only do you need to install a railing if your deck is 30 inches or higher off the ground, but the railing itself will need to follow 3 codes to be acceptable.
Summary
The Deck Store will always recommend installing a railing when in doubt. They look great and keep your guests safe while enjoying your deck.
How far above grade should I put railings on my porch?
However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade. If you are concerned about safety, consider these lower distances for railings.
How high should a porch railing be?
Porch Railing Installation. Basically, railing height must be at least a minimum of 36 inches from the floor of your porch floor. If your porch or deck is above a certain distance from the ground (over 9 feet for example) you may be required ...
How far apart should I put balusters on a porch?
You may have to add a middle rail to support the balusters if you exceed 36 inches. Balusters can only be a maximum of 4 inches apart (so that a 4" spherical object cannot pass through them. See our porch railings calculations guide. In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. ...
How far from the ground do you need to install balusters?
If your porch or deck is above a certain distance from the ground (over 9 feet for example) you may be required to install 42 inch balusters or longer. It's extremely important to check with your local building codes department to determine your local requirements.
Can you use horizontal railings on outside joists?
Some railing codes specify types of fasteners that can be used and some restrict notched posts on the outside joists. Horizontal railings are allowed in some geographical areas but exercise caution as horizontal railings invite children to easily climb on them posing a potential safety hazard.
How tall is a deck railing?
The IBC ( International Building Code) requires commerical deck railing systems to be at least 42 inches in height. In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code.
How high should a deck rail be?
The IRC ( International Residential Code) notes that deck railing systems must be at least 36 inches in height from the decking surface to the top of the top rail on homes. Outdoor living spaces connected to larger buildings such as multi-family buildings, apartment buildings, businesses, or restaurants are regulated under a different code.
How far off the ground should a deck be?
If you're learning how to build a deck and start designing a deck space, remember that porches and decks built even 12 inches off the ground, can still be enough for injuries and accidents. Considering children and pets, the risk of a fall from that low a height could be even more serious.
Do I need a railing for a deck?
If your deck is lower than 30 inches from the ground, a railing is not required for your space. It's still important to keep in mind as a homeowner and DIY deck builder, however, that a deck railing system can still be beneficial even if not necessary by law.
will insurance company allow no porch railing
Hi everyone, I am so happy and thankful to have found this board. We break ground in 2 weeks after 2 years of planning, and of course I still have a million questions. We will have a big, wrap-around front porch and I would love to not have a railing.
Comments (8)
We do not have a railing on our wrap around deck. We had to satisfy local bylaws re the height of the deck from the ground. Insurance was never a factor.