If your deck is more than two feet tall, then deck railing is going to be absolutely mandatory. Additionally, deck railing systems are recommended for all types of decks because deck hand rails are a great safety feature that can make it safer for families to use their decks. After your deck boards and stairs are properly installed, the finishing touches should absolutely include installing deck hand rails on your raised deck for the best possible results.

Materials for building deck railing

There are a number of tools and materials that you are going to need for the process of building a deck railing system for your patio or deck. You will need an electric or cordless drill with variable speeds, hand saw and table saw, pencil, level, galvanized common nails that are properly sized for your project and 3/8" lag multi-use screws.

The process of building deck railing

The first thing that you are going to want to do is to cut your railing posts. The heights of the railing posts for your deck rails should be 36" total plus the edge of the edge joist, rim or beam. Now you should notch the posts 1.5" deep in order to allow the posts to fit against the joists. You also want to notch the decking at a depth of 1.5" as well by the post width in order to allow for the posts to fit snugly against each of the tops of the joists.

Now you should level the posts using a carpenter's level. Now you should use your 3/8 inch lag screws in order to secure your posts to the deck. You may also want to use a heavy duty weatherproof type of wood glue in order to connect the points where the joists and the posts come into contact as this will fortify the strength of the failing. You should be using two lag posts for each post.

Putting it all together

Now you are going to want to attach your rails to the posts at the height that you desire. This can be done by toe nailing them into place, which means to drive each nail into one board near the end in an angled fashion so that the board that it is butted up against is also caught by the nail. Toenail the top rail so that it is flush or even with the top of the posts. Add a center rail if the design that you choose for your deck rails calls for it. Keep in mind that different designs for deck hand rails have different end results.

Now you should center the 2x6 cap rails over the top rails and posts and nail them all into place. Miter the cap rail ends using a 45 degree angle where they come together, butting the ends together. Now cut pickets or balusters to length, attaching them to the top rail as well as the bottom rail, taking care to begin in the middle so that bowing is prevented.

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