I’m down to the stairs now on my deck and I was wondering if there was any “formula” or a “proper way” to determine #1) the height of the post at the bottom of the stairs in relation to the posts on the deck and #2) the angle of the railings and balusters leading down the stairs. As shown in the attachment (parden my artistic skills) the posts with caps are at 40″ and the top of the railing sits at 36″. I set the bottom posts in concrete and left them long so I could trim them off at the proper height. I’m a little stumped at the moment on how to run the rails and balusters evenly down the stairs. Any advice from you pros would be welcome.
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hi rickyw,
your bottom post should be in the same as your top post in relation to the stairs tread or riser.
for example : if you top post is say 1 1/2" back from your top riser(which actually is part of the deck) then your bottom post should be 1 1/2" back from the riser closet to it.
then you can pull your measurement from the tread on the bottom post up the post eaither on the back of the post or the front just make sure you pull your measurement form the same place on both posts. then you pop a chalk line all the way through the bottom post and go from there to trim your bottom post.
remeber in most states it is exceptable for your rail on the stairs to be less than that on your deck or landing.
im sure you will get more feedback .
this is the way i do it and my angle always comes out parralel to my stairs.
good luck
tyke
Just another day in paradise
Tyke thanks for the reply. The post on top of the deck is set back about 2 1/2" (joist/facia/post cover). The post on the bottom I set at the end of the last step which is two pieces of 5/4 decking (11"). So I guess your method wouldn't work for me huh? Unfortunately I set the posts already and they aren't the same distance apart from top and bottom risers.
If you cut the bottom post after you build the stair rail, it will be easier to determine a good height. The method Tyke suggested using a chalk line, I believe is for a "rail over post" design. Your sketch shows your rail terminating at the post, so you can do as I said - build rail first, or measure the height of the posts, cut posts, and then build rails, but it is safer to cut the posts last. I never cut the bottom stair rail posts before I install the posts.
As far as the angle, it varies between about 30 degrees up to 35 degrees, depending on how you laid out the stringers. You can find the angle with some fancy angle finder (my buddy has an electronic level that gives a digital readout of an angle), or you can just take a piece of lumber, and cut it off on your chop saw at various angles between 30 and 35 until you get it right. this is usually what I do - really only takes a few minutes, and I can have it done before my bud goes to the truck to dig out his fancy equipment. When building stair rails, if you make sure the posts are absolutely plumb, it helps a lot. The good thing is that every angle on the stair rail will be the same one (unless you've got thing way out of wack!!).
Sounds like you are nearly done with your project. Not trying to be a wise a$$, but if I recognize your name, haven't you asked us questions about nearly every step of the way on this deck. You are supposed to figure out some of this stuff yourself...
Attached is a pic showing the way I like to detail the bottom riser/post/tread connection - makes for a really firm rail post... Looks good too. Probably too late for you now though. Matt