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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, Repairs, and Maintenance
  • Complete Deck Builds
How-To

How to Install Railing Posts for Cable Rails

In order to meet code requirements for strength, railing posts must be reinforced with the same lateral-load connectors used at the ledger.

Installing Railing Posts for Cable Rails: Are you installing your deck railing posts so that they’re strong enough to do their job? Learn how to locate and install the reinforcing hardware and bolts to ensure that your tropical-hardwood deck posts go in plumb and can resist outward pressure.

Read the related articles:

Frame a Grade-Level Deck

Frame a Grade-Level Deck

The Complete Guide to Building a Deck: Woodbury Conn., 2015

Frame a Grade-Level Deck

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Videos in the Series

  • Ultimate Deck Build

    Follow along with these step-by-step instructions on how to build a grade-level deck with cable railings.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Fastening a Ledger to Concrete

    Learn how to make this critical framing connection for a safe and sturdy deck.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Pouring Accurate Concrete Piers

    Learn how to use the deck ledger to determine the pier heights, a critical dimension in a grade-level deck.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Building and Leveling a Beam

    Even at grade level, this beam has an important job.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Framing the Deck

    With the ledger and beam in place, the rest of the framework can be assembled.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Pouring and Finishing Concrete Slabs

    Editor Justin Fink and builder Chris Aherns build a code-compliant landing for the stairs on this Project House deck.

  • How to Install Railing Posts for Cable Rails

    In order to meet code requirements for strength, railing posts must be reinforced with the same lateral-load connectors used at the ledger.

  • Ultimate Deck Build: Cutting and Installing Stair Stringers

    Simple math and accurate cuts yield a perfect set of deck stairs.

  • How to Install Hardwood Decking and Skirtboards

    Learn tips for cutting and fastening dense exotic hardwoods like Brazilian Teak, Cumaru, or Ipe.

  • Installing Cable Railings

    Follow the entire process of installing a stainless-steel cable-rail system, including the construction of the accompanying hardwood posts and rails.

Previous: Code-Compliant Screwed Guardrail-Post Connections Next: Site-Built Deck Railings

Guide

Decks

Chapter

Installing Railings

View Comments

  1. AdamArthur | May 30, 2016 05:25pm | #1

    Mucho respect for including the concrete pad mistake.

  2. ktkcad | Oct 24, 2016 03:32pm | #2

    All Simpson DTT2s (and the like) should be installed in the hole at the top of the ledger board. Simpson installation instructions show this, structural engineers calculate it this way, and even architectural tests point this out,... because the greater Moment of Inertia is on the top bolt. 10:1 greater than the bottom bolt.

  3. User avater
    CivilEng43 | Oct 25, 2016 03:31am | #3

    In the video, cumaru decking, skirt boards and rail posts are used in combination with a pressure treated deck structure. Esthetically excellent but I question how sensible this is when resistance to rot is considered. Installing a more rot resistant material over a less rot resistant material seems like an invitation for some future nasty surprises – like when the PT reaches the end of its service life while the cumaru still looks fine.

    The other issue I have regards the use of what looks like galvanized bolts in cumaru. I question whether the two are really compatible. Tropical hardwoods resist rot by virtue of the natural acids they contain. Not a real nice environment for galvanized steel, especially when you can’t see what’s going on inside.

    My preferred practice is to use tropical hardwood sleepers to support tropical hardwood decking and posts. If it’s an on grade deck, the sleepers are on rubber pads on concrete. If it’s an above grade deck, then the sleepers are on rubber pads on a hot dip galvanized steel structure. (Galvanized steel in contact with tropical hardwood is okay, but galvanized steel in tropical hardwood is not good practice.) In my opinion, all bolts and screws that go into tropical hardwood need to be stainless steel.

  4. User avater
    Rev_Truth_V_Wicked | May 17, 2017 04:29pm | #4

    I'm building a similar low deck using dropped beams (double 2 x 10) that will need to be attached to the concrete piers like these.
    It looks like Simpson ABU posts bases were used but these are 3 9/16" wide and the beam is about 3".
    I looked but cannot see. What is the typical practice? Inserting a PT spacer next to the beam or just what?

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Decks

Decks

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

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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, Repairs, and Maintenance
  • Deck Finishes
  • Cleaning and Refinishing
  • Inspection and Repair
Complete Deck Builds
  • Grade-Level Decks
  • Raised Decks

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