Looking for front porch railing suggestions. New ranch with covered front porch, 27 ft. wide by 5 ft. deep, 3 ft. above grade. Cedar 5/4 x 6 decking. Posts are not load bearing since the trusses are cantilevered. Any suggestions greatly appreciated
Edited 4/18/2005 11:42 am ET by chris
Replies
Chris- I did not see cantilevered joist in the picture? The railing would be box framed into the rim. The post and beams for this deck should be set back 1' from the rim, in other words the deck should have a 1' cantilever past the beam run.
There are many types of railing designs. 4x4 post-5/4x4 top and bottom rail sandwiching 2x2 balusters
4x4 post-2x4 top and bottom rail, with the balusters fastened top and bottom with a 1x2 rail.
Code does not allow you to notch the post any more.
there are pictures of railing designs on my website http://www.pro-dek.com or just go on the web and type in "deck railing"
Hope this helps.........
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I meant to say the roof trusses cantilever, for the ceiling, so the posts won't support the roof. As of today, the pic is older, the deck is built as you said with the deck joists cantilevered 1ft. past a double 2x12 treated support beam. Thanks for the reply, I'll get a couple more recent pics. Chris
Thanks, nice website lots of great looking decks. Will definitely help. much appreciated. Chris
No Problem, that's what eveyone is here for, to help out.............."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I am making cedar boxes for my deck posts as described in "Building a Deck" by Scott Schuttner (page 123). Except my I'll have 3 rails attaching to the post. Two 2x4s that hold the balusters, and one 6" top rail.
My question is this, How do I secure the rails through the cedar box into the pressure treated post so it is: 1. strong (This is a two story deck)2. doesn't obviously show screw heads.
I have heard one way to do it is to put a block between the top 2x4 baluster rail and the top rail. Attach the block to the post and the rail to the block with counter sink holes and glue cedar plugs.
I would like to find an idea that didn't depend on the block. I'll attach a picture of the idea (but it has the block).
Thank you for your thoughts on this.
I would cut one 4" block.
Start with a 4" block at the bottom of each side and work your way up to the top rail cap.
1.bottom rail
2.grill with balusters
3. second rail
4.top rail
Toe nail your bottom rail with with 16 Penny Galvanized casing nails thru the cedar into the post but not the block. You will knock the blocks out after you're done.
I like to use 6x6 cedar posts instead of wrapping 4x4's. It saves time and makes for a stronger connection between the rail and post.
Hope this helps.
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Thanks, that makes sense on the build up. I also wanted to hide the connection if possible. Can I keep the 16 penny nails from being noticed on the top of the boards? I would have thought I would have to toenail from the bottom or use cedar plugs to hide it.
Will stainless screws work as well as galvinized nails and what size or are they inferior in your opinion?
You are right, 6" cedar posts would be better. It's hard to get many here without a lot of splitting problems.