Questions tagged [railing]
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67
questions
8
votes
3answers
3k views
What is this fence-like feature on colonial roofs?
I've seen this feature from time to time on both commercial and residential buildings exhibiting some form of colonial-style architecture. It's essentially a fence on top of a roof. Does this feature ...
3
votes
2answers
580 views
US residential stair railing code: What is the requirement for terminating an open railing?
We're trying to pick out railings for our house. Our stairs are going to have an open side and we want to use a modern railing system such as this one:
You can find plenty of similar images for ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Stair Rails Wall Side
I want to put stair rails on the wall on 2 flights of steps in house.
From some online searching people say to put rail on right side wall coming down the stairs. This is fine on one set of steps ...
0
votes
1answer
116 views
0
votes
1answer
77 views
Attach 2x4 to a warping 2x4 wood rail?
I have a 2x4 wood rail between two 4x4 wood columns. It looks something like the drawing below:
The 2x4 rail is warping a little bit, so I want to attach a 2x4 under it so that it can straighten the ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Is it always necessary to repaint all of a gate/railing when parts have corroded?
As part of general home maintenance, I repaint all of my gates and railings every 5 years. However, I've noticed that there are particular areas far more susceptible to corrosion such as the top ...
3
votes
2answers
134 views
Custom rail for a spiral staircase
I have (foolishly) bought an oak spiral staircase on craigslist. I was able to use the treads OK, but I'm completely unable to fit the rail that came with it. So I need to construct a custom one. I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
324 views
Deck stairs pulling apart and railing wobbly
My deck stairs which are supported by ledger strips keep pulling away the stringer. Last year I used a clamp to squeeze them back together but they pulled away again. The railing also is wobbly. ...
14
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I repair my stair bannister?
My stairs bannister are made of small wood posts nailed to the ramp. The whole thing have always been quite fragile. After 10 years, a couple posts came loose and most show a gap between the posts and ...
2
votes
3answers
390 views
How can I repair this leaning deck railing?
It appears more drastic in person. This deck railing is leaning inward, and I'm wondering how one might go about leveling it up? Willing to replace 4x4 supports if necessary. The posts towards the ...
1
vote
6answers
876 views
extend height of wooden railing [closed]
My house has a loft with a wooden railing. The railing is only 30" high - apparently allowed because builder called it "unfinished storage space", or not "habitable" space, which means it could ...
1
vote
0answers
352 views
Attaching a surface-mount deck post into tripled-up joists?
My existing deck has a railing system that has no posts - just wooden ballusters secured to doubled-up joists on the ends and to the rim joist on the edge.
I'm interested in switching to a composite ...
0
votes
2answers
85 views
Wood rail on concrete steps
I currently have a metal step rail that is straight and spans three steps leading up to my front porch; it is the typical cheap metal railing you commonly see. It is at the end of its life, so my ...
0
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I secure a loose iron railing on a concrete step?
My backyard stairs are concrete and the railing has been getting loose.
I can now move it.
What should I do to fix it? Do I need a professional?
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Asphalt patching
I want to build a fence on one edge of a parking place beside my house, which is paved with asphalt. The parking place is sloped and uneven on its edge where the fence is to be installed. I'm thinking ...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
Uneven poles for fence with wood railing?
What can I do if the steel poles used for a fence are uneven? They're all supposed to be the same height, but for some reason, they're uneven (ie. surface is uneven, the welder din't measure correctly,...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
gap in shoddily installed vinyl railing
I got railing of my front yard steps replaced. Due to bad installation gaps have appeared in the railing. What's the best way to fill those gaps? Will some kind of caulk work? (Silicone, for example)
...
3
votes
1answer
137 views
US Building Codes - Do I need a handrail on this initial section of stairs?
I realize that building codes tend to vary by jurisdiction, but I'm wondering, in general, do I need a hand railing and/or guardrail on this initial section of stairs as shown in orange? My hope is ...
0
votes
2answers
175 views
How do I remove water trapped within wrought iron railing?
In the process of repainting my wrought iron fence, I had discovered that in a few of the rails, water started to leak out at the weld joints attached to the bottom rail while removing paint & ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
How can I remove a carpet stamp?
I am not really sure what to call this, so for right now I am just calling it a carpet stamp. But really it's an indentation that was made by some sturdy iron railing fixed on to my living room floor. ...
4
votes
4answers
572 views
Replacing the railing on an old rock retaining wall
This house was built in the mid 1950s. I assume the rock wall was built at the same time. It has an old railing that is not attached anymore and needs to be replaced. My current plan is to cut off the ...
1
vote
3answers
145 views
Why is woodwork relatively meager in modern homes? [closed]
I notice that older houses tend to have much more massive and finely wrought woodwork than new homes. For example, here is a railing from an early 20th century house:
Notice the elaborate paneling on ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Rails for fence?
We're working on installing a fence in our roof. I want it to have a minimalist look (something like this without the top rail), so that it doesn't interfere with the view.
We've already installed ...
0
votes
2answers
50 views
Lowering height of porch railing from steps affect railing length
I was thinking of lowering the railing on some porch railing that I put up because there is too much gap between bottom of railing and the edge of the steps. If I do so, will it affect the length of ...
0
votes
2answers
86 views
Distance at bottom of porch railings
Is there a standard distance between steps and bottom of porch step railings? What I am referring to is if you measure the distance from a step to the railing above it. The distance I measured was ...
0
votes
0answers
314 views
DIY cable railing corner post configuration?
Using Steeltek pipe fittings to create a corner railing over a half lower level. My plan was to have the uprights and top & bottom rails made from the galvanized pipe & fittings and use cable ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Attaching newel post to joist
I'm in the process of replacing some cabinets with a guard rail and need to attach a few newel posts to the floor. From what I've read it sounds like the Sure-Tite, lag bolt, method is very sturdy. It ...
1
vote
4answers
449 views
Stiffen up slanted deck railing
Just got a mountain "cabin" and the angled/slanted deck railing is a bit loose; just enough to instill some fear in those wanting to lean over and take in the view.
Here's a shot of what I'm dealing ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How to Repair Wobbly Banister Post
I have a banister post that can tilt toward the stairs. It is pretty sturdy when pushing away from the stairs. I have cut the carpet around it to try to see how it is attached, but cannot. On the ...
2
votes
5answers
761 views
How should I cover this drainage garden pit in my front yard?
We just bought a newly constructed house. In front of it is a rectangular concrete pit, maybe 2–3 feet deep and roughly 8 feet long by 5 feet wide, with dirt at the bottom and several shrubs planted ...
2
votes
1answer
3k views
How Can I Correctly Attach new 4x4 Deck Rail Posts on the surface to an existing deck?
The previous 4x4 deck rail posts were notched and attached with nails on the outside of the deck. We have replaced many deck boards (2x6 pt) and want to replace the railing using 4x4 rail posts. We ...
0
votes
3answers
61 views
Help naming a piece
I'm sorry for being vague and not using the right words, that's the actual issue, not knowing the right words. In the process of building a simple adjustable height shelf inside a box using four ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
How to install Trex decking board as top rail?
I like to install the Trex decking boards on top railing like this
The goal is not showing screws on top. So I must screw in from the bottom through the top Universal Rail. But what is the "...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Interpreting stair railing code
I am reading this document
Looking at this line:
(2) Stairways having less than four risers need not have handrails or
stair railings.
Is a fair interpretation that on stairs with more than ...
0
votes
1answer
5k views
How to mount short handrail with no studs?
Ok, I have my basement stairs I'm finally trying to mount a handrail on (it wasn't done by previous owners, and I'm finally getting to my "to-do" list :) )
So I measured, and went out and grabbed a ...
3
votes
1answer
724 views
Good way to fix a notched railing post?
My front porch has a corner railing post that is notched on two sides. The top is 4x4, but only about 1.5"x1.5" goes below deck and it's fastened to the rim joists there. It is quite wobbly, and not ...
0
votes
2answers
285 views
Replace Banister Rod?
We have a broken banister spindle (see pics). What's the best way to fix this? Do I have to take it apart? Or is there a trick to this that I'm not aware of?
0
votes
2answers
758 views
How to mount handrail to drywall over concrete
Any help how to hang the railing back up on the stairway. It is townhouse wall with drywall and concrete behind it.
5
votes
3answers
589 views
How can I attach pony wall to surface of platform and will it be strong enough against lateral forces?
I have a loft area to which I want to add a pony wall for safety. My plan is to drywall its inside and outside faces, all the way down across the beam. Can I built it on the surface of the platform ...
0
votes
2answers
428 views
Railing placement and removable railing systems
I need a removable railing on my bottom basement steps. There is currently no railing but in order to move furniture or anything large downstairs I'm gonna need a removable railing.
It doesn't need ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
deck railings: alternatives to 4x4 posts?
I'm working on a deck with a lot of level changes. Using 4x4 posts for the railing is undesirable because it'll look rather clunky.
I am wondering if there are any examples someone can point me to ...
1
vote
1answer
4k views
How to fix sagging composite deck railing
I have a composite deck (Fiberon boards with a Trex Designer railing system). The guy that built the deck didn't install any of the crush/foot blocks and now the railings are sagging. He's no longer ...
0
votes
0answers
102 views
How to properly hire contractor(s) to fix deck and railing deterioration?
During home inspection while buying our place the inspector underestimated the cost of the job to fix rot that got inside the railing on a tiny (~3'x3') balcony/deck. He said it would cost ~$1000 to ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
How to properly anchor wooden porch columns to concrete pad?
I have a country style front porch that has non structural wooden columns that are anchored to the overhang and hang to the floor, a concrete pad. To stop the columns from moving around the builders ...
3
votes
1answer
4k views
Proper way to repaint aluminum rails
Background...
We have aluminum rails that have been painted over a few times over the years. I believe that they were originally powder coated, but I'm not sure. They have now gotten to the point ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there an easy way to convert a regular railing to a banister one?
There's a pretty small hallway and I would like to make it a bit more visually spacious by trying to convert the regular solid railing into a banister one. I'm looking into reusing as much material as ...
1
vote
2answers
705 views
Do I really need a newel post at every change in direction in a banister?
I'm constructing a banister for a loft. It's an area with three angled turns - labelled A, B, and C in this picture:
I know the conventional wisdom is that you need a newel post at every change in ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
What tube should I use for a kitchen rail?
I am building a kitchen rail for hanging utensils and frypans along the wall and need some help choosing the right tube size for the job.
Because I'm renting the place I don't want to drill any holes,...
0
votes
0answers
498 views
How to make a height adjustable shelf / desk
My application needs to have a rail like sliding system but also needs few other properties
Vertical Slider
Range Lock
Range Lock should be adjustable
I've sketched the requirements for better ...
1
vote
1answer
996 views
new railings - should I use cedar or treated pine?
I'm replacing the railings on a balcony and have a choice between using cedar or a pressure treated pine. The railings will be painted, so will end up looking the same in either case.
I'm looking for ...
