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FINE HOMEBUILDING WEBINARS

Webinar: Deck Guardrail Design and Installation

Mike Guertin talks about design and load resistance, anchoring posts, and more in this information-packed webinar.

By Mike Guertin

Sponsored by Feeney

Although installing guardrails is one of the last steps on a deck build, you need to plan for their installation at the framing stage. In this webinar, FHB editorial advisor Mike Guertin reviewed the building code for site-built guards, the requirements manufactured guardrail systems have to meet, and how to anchor structural posts to the deck frame so they stay rock-solid for years.

In this presentation, Mike covered:

  • Guard design and load resistance requirements
  • Two options for anchoring wood posts: Hardware, Screw and Blocking
  • Anchoring manufactured posts to the deck frame – Reinforcing the frame
  • Testing and installation requirements for manufactured guardrail systems
  • A resource list of items discussed
  • Q&A

Deck Guardrail Resources

 

Fine Homebuilding Deck Guide
Installing Railings
Options for Fastening Deck Guardrails video
Critical Deck-Framing Connections: Guardrail Posts  video
Start Your Rails Right [Tension Tie connections]
Installing Cable Railings video
Site-Built Deck Railings [Block and Screw connections]
Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide [DCA6] American Wood Council
Rock-Solid Guardrail Connections — April/May FHB #298 (will be added to the Deck Guide)

International Residential Code [IRC]
2021 IRC
2018 IRC
2015 IRC
2012 IRC

Professional Deck Builder  / Journal of Light Construction
Why Railings Have to Withstand 500 Pounds When the IRC Says 200 Pounds
Strong Rail-Post Connections for Wooden Decks
Code-Compliant Guardrail Posts

STRUCTURE Magazine
Tested Guardrail Post Connections for Residential Decks

Simpson Strong-Tie
Code-Compliant Guardrail Post Connections
Guard Post, Guard Rail and Baluster Installations Using Strong-Drive Structural Fasteners

 


Presenter: Mike Guertin

Mike Guertin headshotThe only thing Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor Mike Guertin likes better than building new homes is remodeling old ones. After 35 years, he’s still challenged every day to find more-efficient ways to build things better. Like a true Rhode Islander, he doesn’t take jobs farther than 15 minutes from his home in East Greenwich. Mike’s written over 100 articles for FHB and appears in dozens of videos.

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View Comments

  1. user-7633065 | Mar 20, 2021 12:52pm | #1

    I am very inerested in the Deck Guardrail seminar, but cannot attend at the scheduled time. Will it be available to access later?

  2. fenceanddeckconnectioninc | Nov 27, 2023 05:25am | #2

    The presentation is a valuable resource for anyone interested in deck guardrail design and installation. It provides overview of the subject matter and is presented in an engaging and informative manner. Fence & Deck Connection’s vinyl fencing is made of 100% vinyl PVC, which combines the most stringent quality standards with the most innovative compounds to produce a product that won’t peel, flake, corrode, rot, rust or attract termites.

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