Deck Railing Post Outside Rim Joist
Outside the end joist.
Deck railing post outside rim joist. The post is then boxed in with blocking to create a sleeve for the post. Attach a block to the bottom of the adjacent rim joist to act as a third hand. Each guard post supporting the railing must be attached to the rim joist with two 1 2 inch through bolts and hold down anchors capable of withstanding 1 800 pounds of force. Most states now require a specific bolted connection where deck rail posts attach to the floor frame with reinforcement for joists and blocking.
I would like to attach 4x4 posts to the outside of the deck by notching out 1 inch and fitting it to the rim joist. Cut a 221 2 degree block to fill between the post and the outside corner. Here is a typical scenario an outside rail post along an end joist. I have a very well built 16x14 deck or deck surface that is and i am looking through my options for attaching my railing posts to the rim joist which is a double 2x10 4x10.
Install blocking between the two nearest joists so that the blocking is 3 off the inside face of the rim joist. Current codes demand stronger posts so they are generally not notched and are installed on the inside of the framing. If the post is between two joists you will need to use two connectors one on each nearby joist and bolt to post to the rim joist between the two connectors. Find the length of the end rim joist by hooking the tape and measuring from outside to outside.
Posts are set on the inside face of the rim joist or outside framing member. The railing must be at least 36 inches high and it must include balusters that are no more than 4 inches apart. Install a block on the other side of the post 90 degrees to the angled rim joist and 45 degrees to the inboard joist. Use the block to support one side of the rim joist while you install the other side.
Because the post is along the length of the joist and set back about 18 or so from the corner and the next closest joist is parallel the entire joist and frame has to be reinforced to handle the moment of force generated. This is the most common installation and the simplest if the post aligns with a floor joist see detail a below. Install a joist to the primary rim joist alongside the post. There are two ways to mount posts on the inside of the rim and end joists or on the outside as with this deck.
Composite decking and railings. Last secure the end supported by the block with 3 in. Mark the position of the post. Codes are getting tougher on outdoor decks.
The railing posts for this deck are cut from 4 x 4 lumber. The installation sequence and hole alignment are critical. Many older decks have railing posts installed on the outside of the deck framing and sometimes those posts were notch cut at the bottom where they fit against the outside joists.