Hello,
I am finishing my attic. The access hole is approx 30″x60″ and access is via a finished hardwood ladder. I need to build a banister/railing around the hole. I am planning to have 3 newel posts: 2 with a 30″ section of banister between them, 1 with a 60″ span of banister to the wall and 1 with a 30″ span to wall.
My question pertains to structural strength. I would like to mount the newels to the 2×8 lower chord of the truss. My options would be to mount the newel above the 2×8 with a screw going down through the center or to the side of the 2×8. Are either of these methods strong enough and is one preferable to the other?
Also where the banisters are fastened to the wall stud, how many fasteners would be requred for a strong system?
Thank you, Eric
Replies
I'll reply just to get you started: I don't think a screw down through from the center of the post to the 2x8 will have enough "meat" to hold it. I would remove a 1-1/2" deep by 7-1/4" slab off each post on the side, up from the bottom, so it can sit on the chord with 7-1/4" overlapping the side of the chord and then screw it through the chord with lags or even through-bolts. I'm just guessing, but I would think that just two 3/8" bolts would be enough on each post. If you wanted extra "insurance" you could add steel hangers, like collars that go around the ouside of the post and nail to the chord on each side of the post.