*
I’m planning to build a deck on my recently completed house and I’ve been looking at deck designs in books and magazines. A deck with curved (laminated) built in bench seats around the perimeter is ideal for my situation. I’m having trouble determining what the building codes are for deck railings and if a built in bench seat (18 in. high I 16 in. deep, no back)would effect the need for a railing. I’ve been looking in the 2000 International Residential Building Code and can’t find much of anything on railings much less decks and seating. My current understanding is that any portion of a deck more than 30″ above the ground would require a railing. Is this true and would the fixed benches eliminate that requirement? Any assistance on where to find this info would be appreciated.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.
Featured Video
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
*
I'm planning to build a deck on my recently completed house and I've been looking at deck designs in books and magazines. A deck with curved (laminated) built in bench seats around the perimeter is ideal for my situation. I'm having trouble determining what the building codes are for deck railings and if a built in bench seat (18 in. high I 16 in. deep, no back)would effect the need for a railing. I've been looking in the 2000 International Residential Building Code and can't find much of anything on railings much less decks and seating. My current understanding is that any portion of a deck more than 30" above the ground would require a railing. Is this true and would the fixed benches eliminate that requirement? Any assistance on where to find this info would be appreciated.