Have a mountain house with a deck that gets a lot of snow. Often unoccupied in winter. This year the snow load blew the railings and posts off the deck (see photo). Need help with proven design ideas.
The contractor has suggested using hinged posts that swing down in the winter to let the snow fall off the deck (see photo). Our design would meet requirements for child safety. Others have suggested steel cable spindles to improve view and let snow go through.
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Is that photo a hinged version?
I'd build so that the post supporting the deck is the same one that the railing attaches too, usually 6x6.
or I extend the post down into the frame and lag to the frame and block around it.
Either way, for snow to take them out, means destroying the entire deck.
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hinged posts seem like a horrible idea for safety reasons alone.
can you add stops on the roof to prevent snow slides?
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Do you have a picture of the damaged deck?
Just keep the posts. Apply slots/channels for removable infill panels. Then when you leave for the season, pull the panels and store them.
the hinge idea sounds like a lot of work to do correctly
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I've installed them on a 5/12 roof and they work well and are easy to install. They should work even on a steep roof (to a point, talk to the manufacturer), I think you just increase the density of the install schedule.