Deck Railing Bottom Gap
As shown here these horizontal boards span between the posts.
Deck railing bottom gap. Rail posts are attached to the deck frame and support the infill sections. Most building codes will allow you up to 3 7 8 of space from the surface of the deck to the bottom of your rail. Handrail guardrail height. The most common wood material used for top and bottom rails is 2x4 which is.
We have also created separate illustrations for residential guards for the usa and canada depending on where you live. For example the cabo one and two family building code references a space that a 4 ball cannot fit through. I like 3 of space under the rail. The relevant code requirement is that the gaps between the balusters and the gap at the bottom of the railing system is less than 4 inches.
Learn how much spacing should go between handrail posts and how to install boards and railing for corner decks. The idea is that a toddler cannot slither under the railing and fall off of the deck. In other words the measurement from your bottom cable to the decking should be less than 4 inches. Building codes for deck railing.
Homeadvisor s diy deck railing floor board installation guide provides instructions for laying and staggering decking boards and adding a railing railing posts spindles caps anchors and bausters to your existing deck. A child slipping through the balcony railings and falling to the ground below is a nightmare no parent or homeowner wants to face. We recommend either 4 between bottom surface of the guardrail or stair rail bottom and the top of the floor surface or use 2 or less to avoid a foot trap. Sweep space bottom deck rails this popular rail style leaves a 4 space below the bottom rail to allow for snow and debris to be swept off the deck surface.
The california building code for the maximum balcony railing gap. See the foot trap anecdote. Railings should not project into the required width of the stairway by more than 4 5 at or below the handrail height above the stairs. The rule states a 6 inch sphere should be unable to pass through this triangular gap.
To ensure safety individual communities in the united states regulate certain aspects. They include the actual height of the rail above the deck the height above grade when a guardrail is required and important baluster spacing dimensions. The exception to the 4 inch sphere rule is the gap created between the bottom run of infill and the 90 degree angle created where the rear of a stair tread meets a stair riser. A deck with no or inadequate railings is an accident waiting to happen.