Deck Railing Systems
Deck railings are an essential part of your deck, making it both functional and safe to use. While deck railings and handrails can certainly add polish, personality, and a distinctive touch to your deck, their primary function is to prevent slips and falls when climbing deck stairs, as well as provide a safety barrier on elevated portions of the deck. Deck railings can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, composite, metal, or even glass. Styles can range from modern cable to a simple rustic deck railing or ornate curved railings.
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Like decks themselves, deck railing systems must also meet specific codes set forth by the International Residential Code (IRC). This code requires guardrails to be at least 36” high, although some states and local codes require them to be as high as 42” high. To protect children and pets from falling between balusters, the space between balusters should not be large enough to allow a 4” sphere to pass through.
You can enlist the aid of a professional contractor to help you install deck railing, but if you’re wondering how to build a deck railing and plan to do it yourself, browse through our collection of articles that walk you through how to install deck & porch railing. You’ll learn about installation best practices, the process of building handrails and DIY deck railing, as well as get inspiration with deck railing plans and images to complete the deck of your dreams.
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Deck Railing Types
How to Choose the Right Deck Railing
As one of the most visible elements of a deck, railings add support, safety and style. Get tips for choosing the right deck railing at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Vinyl Deck Railing Reviews & Comparisons
Compare Vinyl Deck Railings to wood, aluminum, and composite. Find reviews and cost information to help choose the best deck railing for your home at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Composite vs Aluminum Deck Railing
Composite and aluminum railings are great low maintenance alternatives to traditional wood. Learn the differences between these materials with Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Best Aluminum Deck Railings: Reviews & Benefits
Aluminum deck railings are a great low maintenance option for any home. Compare different materials and find the best aluminum deck railing system for you.
Deck Railing Types
How to Build a DIY Deck Railing Planter Box
Railing planters are an easy way to add some color to your deck without taking up space. Follow these simple steps and get started on your railing planters today.
Deck Railing Types
Low-Maintenance Composite Deck Railing Options
Composite railing systems offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood railings. Learn why composite is the best railing system at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Top 18 Deck Railing Ideas & Designs
Railings add the finishing touch to your deck. Get inspired by these deck railing ideas and styles from Decks.com and make your outdoor space unique.
Deck Railing Types
How to Build & Install an Outdoor Deck Gate
In this easy-to-follow guide, we explain the process of building a deck gate and installing it on your deck.
Railing Codes
Deck Railing Codes
Learn about the building codes that regulate guardrails. How high do rails need to be? What are the rail infill requirements?
Deck Railing Types
How to Build a Deck Privacy Screen
Learn how to build a privacy wall on your deck out of wood.
Railing Codes
Deck Railing Height Requirements
All decks greater than 30" above grade must have a guardrail.
Deck Railing Parts
How to Install Deck Rail Balusters
Step-by-step instructions on installing deck rail balusters. Learn how to install metal balusters with connectors.
Deck Railing Parts
Deck Stair Handrails
Learn about the code requirements for installing a grippable handrail for your deck stairs.
Railing Codes
How to Install Deck Stair Railings
Step-by-step instructions for how to install deck stair railings. Learn about the code requirements and construction tips with images.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Metal Deck Railings
Learn about metal guard rail systems for decks.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Composite Deck & Porch Railings
Composite deck and porch railings offer a low-maintenance option for railings. Learn how to install composite railing and get ideas for your deck at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Cable Deck Railing Systems
Cable rails are a modern looking rail system that preserves views. Learn how to install cable rails to meet building codes.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Glass Deck Railing Systems
Installing glass rails will usually require you to build the rail frame first and take precise measurements to custom order the tempered safety glass...
Deck Railing Parts
Deck Rail Post Attachment
Step-by-step instructions for installing rail posts to your deck frame.
Deck Railing Parts
Parts of a Wood or Composite Deck Railing
We discuss the different components that compose a wood deck rail system. Learn about rail posts, top and bottom rails, balusters and a top cap.
Deck Railing Types
How to Choose the Right Deck Railing
As one of the most visible elements of a deck, railings add support, safety and style. Get tips for choosing the right deck railing at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Vinyl Deck Railing Reviews & Comparisons
Compare Vinyl Deck Railings to wood, aluminum, and composite. Find reviews and cost information to help choose the best deck railing for your home at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Composite vs Aluminum Deck Railing
Composite and aluminum railings are great low maintenance alternatives to traditional wood. Learn the differences between these materials with Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Best Aluminum Deck Railings: Reviews & Benefits
Aluminum deck railings are a great low maintenance option for any home. Compare different materials and find the best aluminum deck railing system for you.
Deck Railing Types
How to Build a DIY Deck Railing Planter Box
Railing planters are an easy way to add some color to your deck without taking up space. Follow these simple steps and get started on your railing planters today.
Deck Railing Types
Low-Maintenance Composite Deck Railing Options
Composite railing systems offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood railings. Learn why composite is the best railing system at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
Top 18 Deck Railing Ideas & Designs
Railings add the finishing touch to your deck. Get inspired by these deck railing ideas and styles from Decks.com and make your outdoor space unique.
Deck Railing Types
How to Build & Install an Outdoor Deck Gate
In this easy-to-follow guide, we explain the process of building a deck gate and installing it on your deck.
Railing Codes
Deck Railing Codes
Learn about the building codes that regulate guardrails. How high do rails need to be? What are the rail infill requirements?
Deck Railing Types
How to Build a Deck Privacy Screen
Learn how to build a privacy wall on your deck out of wood.
Railing Codes
Deck Railing Height Requirements
All decks greater than 30" above grade must have a guardrail.
Deck Railing Parts
How to Install Deck Rail Balusters
Step-by-step instructions on installing deck rail balusters. Learn how to install metal balusters with connectors.
Deck Railing Parts
Deck Stair Handrails
Learn about the code requirements for installing a grippable handrail for your deck stairs.
Railing Codes
How to Install Deck Stair Railings
Step-by-step instructions for how to install deck stair railings. Learn about the code requirements and construction tips with images.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Metal Deck Railings
Learn about metal guard rail systems for decks.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Composite Deck & Porch Railings
Composite deck and porch railings offer a low-maintenance option for railings. Learn how to install composite railing and get ideas for your deck at Decks.com.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Cable Deck Railing Systems
Cable rails are a modern looking rail system that preserves views. Learn how to install cable rails to meet building codes.
Deck Railing Types
How to Install Glass Deck Railing Systems
Installing glass rails will usually require you to build the rail frame first and take precise measurements to custom order the tempered safety glass...
Deck Railing Parts
Deck Rail Post Attachment
Step-by-step instructions for installing rail posts to your deck frame.
Deck Railing Parts
Parts of a Wood or Composite Deck Railing
We discuss the different components that compose a wood deck rail system. Learn about rail posts, top and bottom rails, balusters and a top cap.
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights