How to Make Rot-Resistant Deck Railings - Fine Homebuilding FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Decks

Guide Home
Chapter
  • Design & Planning
  • Tools & Materials
  • Footings & Foundations
  • Framing a Deck
  • Installing Decking
  • Installing Railings
  • Deck Stairs
  • Custom Details
  • Finishes and Maintenance
  • Complete Deck Builds
Mastered in a Minute

How to Make Rot-Resistant Deck and Porch Railings

Use bevels, drip kerfs, and good planning to keep water from pooling on deck rails.

By Fine Homebuilding Editors

Wood deck railings and porch railings often get a bad rap because of how quickly peeling paint and rot can develop. In many cases, that’s because these railings aren’t detailed to shed water. This video shows how to use bevels, drip kerfs, and good planning to make a handsome, rot-resistant deck railing.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up
X
X
Previous: Building and Installing a Site-Built Balustrade: Assembling the Balustrade Next: Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

Guide

Decks

Chapter

Installing Railings

View Comments

  1. user-5478428 | Oct 03, 2016 01:30pm | #1

    Great video.

  2. ContractorSC | Oct 14, 2016 11:17am | #2

    Great way to do things...

  3. Vo | Oct 30, 2016 11:37am | #3

    Like the video, but I have one question - what's the angle of the cut for the top rail?

  4. BobboMax | Nov 10, 2016 01:00pm | #4

    The question about the angle of the top cut reminds me of the time I asked an architect how much entasis (curve) there should be in columns. Her answer was, "Well, what do you like? Slender or curvy? You can go too far with either, but within reason, it's a matter of taste." Similarly, it's not so much the angle of the cut on the top rail, but whether or not there is an angle that will shed water.

    You could even just cut the top of the posts at an angle and install the top rail at that angle, as long as the rail is wider than the posts and you include a drip kerf on the high side. Of course, to do that, you'd have to bevel the tops of the balusters to match the underside of the rail.

  5. user-6088791 | Dec 04, 2016 11:37pm | #5

    tim
    they use a2 /4 top rail cut at 12 degrees, the bottom cut the same

  6. user-6800184 | Aug 07, 2017 05:57pm | #6

    We've been doing the bottom rail like this since the mid 1980's.
    No end grain sitting in a shoe to gather moisture.

  7. wvjack | Sep 19, 2019 03:14pm | #7

    I understand everything about fastening one side of the rail but how do you fasten the other side ? Construction adhesive? exposed galvanized screw? Great video.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Decks

Decks

Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Decks Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Design & Planning
  • Basic Design Options
  • Generating Plans
  • Calculating Deck Loads
  • Code Compliance
Tools & Materials
  • Deck Building Tools
  • Foundation and Framing Materials
  • Decking Materials
  • Fasteners and Hardware
Footings & Foundations
  • Choosing a Foundation
  • Sizing and Laying Out Footings
  • Excavation
  • Pouring the Foundation
Framing a Deck
  • Framing Overview
  • Installing the Ledger
  • Setting Posts and Beams
  • Installing Joists
Installing Decking
  • Decking Basics
  • Installation Process
  • Adding Fascia and Other Decorative Elements
Installing Railings
  • Installing Deck Railing Posts
  • Building Wood Rails and Balustrades
  • Non-Wood Railing Options
  • Installing Nonwood Balustrades
Deck Stairs
  • Deck Stairs Overview
  • Laying Out, Cutting, and Installing the Stringers
  • Installing Treads, Risers, and Stair Railings
Custom Details
  • Benches, Planters, and Privacy Features
  • Pergolas
  • Lighting
Finishes and Maintenance
  • Deck Finishes
  • Cleaning and Refinishing
  • Inspection and Repair
Complete Deck Builds
  • Grade-Level Decks
  • Raised Decks

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in