How do you install deck railings and balusters?
- A 45 Degree Angle. Measure the distance between rail posts.
- Cutting top and bottom rails. Cut the 2x4 top and bottom rails to the proper lengths.
- X Marks the Spot. Mark the center of your rails.
- Even baluster spacing.
- We sell baluster connectors.
- Attaching the aluminum balusters.
- A job well done.
Full Answer
How to easily build and install deck railing?
Part 2 Part 2 of 4: Measuring and Cutting the Wood
- Mark the railing height on the posts. Using a tape measure, make a pencil mark in the center of each post.
- Measure the distance between the posts. If you didn’t install the posts yourself, you’ll need to know the exact distance between them so that you can cut the railing ...
- Get balusters and wood for the handrail. ...
- Finish all of the wooden pieces. ...
How much a linear foot to install deck railing?
The cost of wood deck railing professionally installed can be as low as $20 per linear foot when cheap pre-assembled panels are used. Decks and Rail Supply suggests a cost range of $25 to $45 per linear foot when cedar railing and posts are used along with aluminum balusters.
Should you add a railing to your deck?
You can incorporate a railing design that partially covers some areas of the deck. This is useful if you do not want to be bothered by people walking along while you are enjoying some quality time with family. The railing is an important element in deck building but it is often overlooked. Do not make this common mistake and instead be smart to incorporate it with your main plans. An exceptional deck is one that complies with strict safety standards. Having a guardrail will not only ...
How to install a PVC deck railing?
Vinyl Deck Rail Cost Factors
- Quality of the Deck Railing – This has to do with thickness of the PVC, its anti-fade or stain properties, and whether it is likely to turn brittle. ...
- Color – When you choose a color option other than white, cost goes up about 15%. ...
- Baluster Material – Most brands offer all-vinyl panels and vinyl panels with steel or aluminum balusters, aka pickets. ...
Where do you put balusters on a rail?
The most common installation style of baluster is fastening the spindles in the middle of the top and bottom rails. This can be done either by using a coordinating connector at either end of the baluster or by routering out a small hole in the two rails for each baluster to be inserted into.
Where are baluster connectors needed?
Baluster connectors, also known as baluster shoes, are needed at both the top and bottom end of each spindle. Balusters are typically packaged in packs of 10, while baluster connectors are usually packaged in a coordinating set of 20. This allows your quantities to go hand in hand while ordering.
What is a baluster shoe?
Often referred to as baluster shoes, these connectors will add a touch of embellishment at the top and bottom of each baluster while providing the same reliable hold.
What is a straight face mount baluster?
Straight Traditional Face Mount Balusters attach to the face of the rail, overlapping top and bottom deck rails. The straight line form makes a strong statement on wood or composite decks, and color-matching screws reinforce the clean lines. These balusters are great for new construction or to replace worn-out wood balusters.
Can you install a baluster on pressure treated lumber?
If installing metal balusters on pressure-treated lumber, be sure to install with a plastic washer between the baluster and the rails. Many brands will include these washers, however, not all of them. Be sure to read "Package Contents" to confirm. Here are some baluster options and important notes to consider when choosing your face-mount balusters:
Do balusters have to be the same size?
Glass baluster connectors work in essentially the same manner as standard connectors, with two included installation screws being drilled in either side of the connector. The only important item to keep in mind when purchasing connectors for glass balusters is ensuring that you are sticking within the same system; e.g. Fortress glass balusters must be used with Fortress Connectors. Glass balusters do not have a standard baluster size, meaning that the width can vary from brand to brand.
Can you put plastic washers between balusters?
If installing metal balusters on pressure-treated lumber, be sure to install with a plastic washer between the baluster and the rails. Many brands will include these washers, however, not all of them. Be sure to read "Package Contents" to confirm.
How to cut balusters at angle?
Use clamps to lock the balusters on position, and then mark their ends, in order to cut them at the angle. Remember that when making the marks, the balusters should be perfectly aligned at one end, with the joint of the bottom rail with the posts, and at the other end with the top edge of the post.
What to consider when building railings?
When building your railings, just take into consideration that it might block your view if they are too high or too close from glass doors or windows. The planning is an important park of building your dream deck, so study thoroughly the issue before starting the project. There are several basic elements you have to evaluate when building railings and balusters: the shape, height, color and texture.
What are the elements that determine the shape of a baluster?
There are several basic elements you have to evaluate when building railings and balusters: the shape, height, color and texture. First the shape of the balusters and railings should match the design of your house. If you have a complex-shaped house, maybe it would be a wise decision to build simple railings, in order to create an equilibrium.
How to hold a drill machine?
In this image you can see the correct way that you should hold the drill machine. With one hand you should hold the drill’s handle, as with the other one you control the process and press the ‘trigger’. The drilling must be progressive: at first use low speeds to create a shallow hole. Afterwards, the speed should be increased, but at every few seconds pull the drill slightly out and press it back in again.
When installing a deck rail, do you need to use a spirit level?
When installing the bottom rail, you have to use a spirit level as to make sure you secure them properly. Installing the bottom rail. Now that you have finished installing the deck posts, you should continue the project by building and fixing the bottom rail.
Can you buy pre painted brackets?
Smart Tip: You can buy pre-painted brackets, for a better finish.
How to install balusters in a drywall wall?
Install balusters moving from the first one outward, all the way to the ends of each section—until the remaining “gap” is 3-1/2” or less. Using a driver bit in a cordless drill or in an impact driver will make the job easiest.
How to space balusters?
Once the first baluster is in place and level, you can easily space the adjacent balusters by using a scrap of lumber 3-1/2” wide. We used a scrap of 2” x 4” framing lumber. This works perfectly for spacing balusters 4-1/2” on-center, because the balusters are 1” wide and the scrap is 3-1/2” wide (which means the total equals 4-1/2” from center to center). Every so often, you’ll want to confirm that the balusters are vertical; do this by checking with the level instead of relying solely on the scrap lumber. From there, you can adjust if it's necessary.
How far apart is a baluster?
Standard spacing from baluster to baluster is 4-1/2” on center, meaning the horizontal distance from the center of one baluster to the center of the next one is 4-1/2”. (Check your local building codes as they might require something different.)
Why remove cap rail?
Because the cap rail provides a lot of structural rigidity to the railing, removing it makes the railing less safe. You should view the work area as if it did not have railing at all from now until completion of the project. The next step was to remove the old vertical balusters. These were nailed at the top and bottom.
How to install balusters?
Beginning at one end of the rail, start aligning balusters with their coordinating connectors. After each baluster is linked to each of the connectors, press down firmly on the top rail to assure connector is fully positioned. You may also use a rubber mallet to do this.
How to center balusters on a rail?
Use your tape measure to locate and mark the center of the rails. If you will be using an odd number of balusters in the section, you’ll center one baluster over your center point. If you’ll be using an even number of balusters in the section, then center the space between your middle two balusters on your center mark.
How to align balusters?
Beginning at one end of the rail, start aligning balusters with their coordinating connectors. After each baluster is linked to each of the connectors, press down firmly on the top rail to assure connector is fully positioned. You may also use a rubber mallet to finish this off.
How to measure for a sanding board?
Using a tape measure and pencil, locate and mark the center of each rail. Then, working outward from the center, measure and mark a line every 3-¾ to 4-½ inches, depending on your desired spacing, until you reach the end of the rail.. If the final installation point is less than 2-¼ inches, then offset ALL of the installation marks by 2-¼ inches to remain symmetrical.
How to measure for a symetrical rail?
Using a tape measure and pencil, locate and mark the center of each rail. Then , working outward from the center, measure and mark every 5-½ inches until the end of your rails. If the final installation point is less than 2-¼ inches from the end of the rail, then offset ALL of the installation marks by 2-¼ inches to remain symmetrical.
How to measure for a railing?
Using a tape measure and pencil, locate and mark the center of the rails. Working outward from the center, measure and mark a line every 3-¾ to 4-½ inches, depending on your desired spacing, until you reach the end of the rail.
Do glass balusters install differently than metal balusters?
Glass balusters will install slightly differently than metal balusters. We’ll run through two glass baluster installation methods below.
First Step
Begin setting the posts inside of the joists. If you haven’t read the section on attaching the railing posts, go back and read it before proceeding any further.
Second Step
Build the railing sections from 2x2s with a 1x2 cap running at opposite ends of the 2x2s for the entire length of the railing section. Double screw or nail the 1x2 to the 2x2s to prevent twisting. For this deck we built five sections of 2x2s cut to the exact gap between the posts.
Third Step
Cut the bottom rails pieces from 2x2 to the exact gap between each of the railing posts. The 45 degree corner section required the 2x4 bottom rail to be cut at about an 11 degree angle.
Fourth Step
Install all bottom rail pieces between each set of posts leaving at most a 4” gap between the decking and the underside of the bottom rail. Install a small piece of blocking in the middle of the long spans to prevent sagging.
Fifth Step
Cut the top rail pieces from 2x4 in the same method used for the bottom rails. Place the 2x2 and 1x2 picket sections on top of the bottom rails and nail the bottom 1x2 against the bottom rail to hold it in place.
Sixth Step
This particular railing design uses broken top rails with intermittent railing posts. Decorate the railing posts with your preferred post cap. We used preformed metal caps that looked quite nice. Secure them with a dab of caulking on the post top.
Last Step
No posts are required for the railing sections that meet the house. Use a 2x4 with nicely cut ends and secure the railing section to it.
