The deck railing is built.
Fasten top railing cap.
Each railing panel is between a 4x4 post and consists of an upper and lower cedar 2x4 rail oriented on it s edge with aluminum pipe spindles every 4 inches.
Run them along each post flush with the top.
Screw the top cap to the top rail every 12 inches.
Most designs have the top rail flush with the top of the posts so the post cap can rest on it.
Attach with structural screws not deck screws.
Screw the balusters into the top and bottom rails.
To make a regular post cut two 1x4s and one 2x4 to the height of the railing minus the thickness of the rail cap.
On your existing 2x4 top rail using a countersink bit predrill a hole 1 below the top edge at an upward angle every 18 or so.
How to do it yourself patio deck attaching railing and balusters.
The cap rail that goes over the top rail is grooved underneath to fit nicely over the 2x4 on its edge.
The deck railings consist of 2 x 4 top and bottom rails attached to the back of the posts a 5 4 x 6 rail cap and 2 x 2 balusters.
Install them flush with the top.
Typical deck codes say that a railing should have no opening larger than 4 inches.
Attach the top cap to the posts using two 3 inch screws diagonally 2 inches apart.
01 48 how to attach deck railing.
Fasten by drilling pilot holes and driving screws or nails.
Good to know make miter cuts at the ends of rail caps that will meet at corners.
They can be placed flat horizontal or on edge vertical.
These run along the top of the posts and top rails.
Follow the instructions in this article to attach the boards to the top rail and for drilling pilot holes and driving angled screws.
If you are working with wooden railings you can make top rails from 2x4s or 2x6s.
Mix and match post and top rail sizes.
Install your cap rail by running 2 3 screws per end into the adjacent post run screws up from bottom edge of 2x4 cap rail into post to hide those screws.
Get maximum visual interest from simple wooden railing by incorporating a 6x6 post at corners 4x4 post mid run.
Better predrill those holes too.
Cut another 2x4 to the same length plus the combined width of the outside joist and the decking thickness.
Sthe bottom rail is typically 3 1 2 to 4 inches above the decking.
Just lay the spacer on the deck and the bottom rail on top of it.
Step 6 install the balusters.
For a more finished look bevel the bottom of each baluster.
