Building Staircase Railings

For stairs with 4 or more risers most codes require a handrail on at least one side.

Building staircase railings.

The international residential code for one and two family dwellings irc and the international building code ibc address staircase railings. Old world copper wall rail mounting bracket. Wood stair railings are one of the most popular types of railings. These are two model codes and are offered as suggested guidelines for local code authorities to follow at their discretion.

They are typically associated with a regal traditional look as in many libraries and historical homes. Because of this wood stair railings are often used in government buildings and homes that want a higher end design. If you choose the 2 x 4 handrail you can use a piece of 2 x material to create a 1 1 2 inch gap between the top rail and the handrail. If you want more elegant detail consider a classic staircase with wrought iron balusters traditional railings.

Put a railing post on the last step of your staircase and mark its base with a pencil. If they are placed up against a wall they should have a clearance from the wall not less than 1 inches. Staircase designs from the clean lines warm wood tones and traditional look of a craftsman style staircase to the sleek details and modern appeal of an industrial style staircase the design of a staircase sets the tone of your home. Before building and installing deck stair railings we have to attach the deck posts on the deck surface.

Add a stylish complement to your handrail installation with the 2 1 4 in. Step 1 start the building job. Depending on where you build the stairs you may need to install stair railings to remain compliant with building codes. You can find all the equipment and tools required for the job at a home improvement store.

Irc stair railing code. Consequently according to the structure of your deck you can either anchor the posts on the floor using post anchors or you can fasten them to the deck joists using lag screws. Pre made options are available in a variety of styles to coordinate with the virtually any staircase but you can also build one from scratch. Stair handrail height as for their height they can be placed within 34 to 38 inches and shall be provided on at least one side of a flight of stairs having four for more risers.

An important step in building deck step railing is to stiffen up posts at the bottom of outdoor stairs or deck railings by bolting them on three sides. See our guide on how to replace or install stair railing for more information. The bottom post is the toughest post to make solid when you build outdoor stair railings.