Railing Height

Available at many lumberyards and big box retailers, Deckorators Scenic glass deck baluster infills are both a dramatic and practical accessory for your custom deck railing. If you have young children, these railing infills allow them to view the yard safely.

Deckorators Scenic Glass Balusters are made of durable 5/16-inch tempered safety glass, which makes them extremely durable. These balusters are also an advantage grownups too as they can relax in a Adirondack chair or chaise lounge while glancing out to view the pool, lake or wooded area without having to stand.

Glass balusters will also help reduce the wind, which is why many lakefront homeowners choose to incorporate them into their deck design.

Deckorators Scenic glass balusters come in two shapes—Frontier, a straight, beveled-edge baluster, and Contour, a tapered, hourglass-shaped design. Scenic glass balusters are the perfect alternative to glass panels.

• Frontier - available in 4" x 5/16" x 26", which must be installed with Scenic Connectors for a 36" rail height or 4" x 5/16" x 32" for a 36" rail height when face mounting and a 42" height when using scenic connectors.
• Contour - available in 4" x 5/16" x 32" for a 36" rail height when face mounting and 42" height when using scenic connectors.
• Each 32" baluster has four predrilled holes with preinserted rubber grommets for face-mount installation. Stainless steel screws included. Rubber grommets can be removed for use with scenic connectors.
• Scenic balusters are designed to install 1.5 balusters per linear foot using our installation guide.
• Scenic balusters can be used with either wood, metal or composite lumber decking and do not require special fasteners.

Find out where to buy Deckorators glass deck baulster infills.
See my past blog post on How to Install Deckorators glass deck balusters.

Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is co-extruded from two layers of materials—making this one beautiful and tough railing system. The core is made with Strandex—the most tested and trusted composite technology—while the outer cap-stock layer gives CXT Composite Deck Railing the look of painted wood and makes it ultra scratch- and weather-resistant. Deckorators CXT code-compliant deck railing is available in white, black and bronze colors and boasts a 20-year limited warranty for piece of mind.

Deckorators CXT Deck Railing Installation Video

The unique "U-Bracket" design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, the CXT railing is offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Best of all, Deckorators CXT railing allows deck builders to work with several popular Deckorators railing baluster infills and deck post accessories. In addition, Deckorators offers four eye-catching post cap styles, including Tiffany-style Mission Glass, Copper, Solar and Traditional.

See a 360 degree view video of the CXT Deck Railing from the International Builders' Show in this blog post.

Decks are a great “value add” for residents, but property managers face plenty of risks—including having a deck collapse—if their deck isn’t regularly inspected and maintained. It’s happening more frequently than many property managers and homeowners realize. Between 2003 and 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 224,740 injuries caused by outdoor decks and porches. “What’s happening across this country is an epidemic at this point,” says Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), adding that “in most cases if a deck fails, it’s a matter of neglect.”

The Ledger Connection
Common deck failures include a stair collapsing or a railing giving way. Of all the parts of a deck, “the most notoriously overlooked has been the ledger connection,” says Glenn Mathewson, a former deck builder and technical adviser to NADRA and International Code Council-certified Master Code Professional. The ledger connection is the board that connects the deck to a home or property, which can rot away, causing the deck to completely collapse. But, adds Mathewson, “poor construction and a lack of standards for construction is a large contributor to the problem.”

Not maintaining and regularly inspecting the deck, especially the ledger, puts your deck at risk for a collapse—and puts your occupants at risk for injury. “The lack of maintenance and the lack of knowledge of poor condition of the materials would be a due-diligence risk,” Mathewson says. “It would be like allowing the paint to peel off a house, but with much more drastic results.”

Is Your Deck Wood or Composite?
That’s why it’s important to know what material was used to build your deck. Newer decks may be made of composite materials, usually a mixture of wood components and plastic, which range in type, density and strength, but are not as strong as wood, Mathewson says. “Imagine the strength of a plastic shopping bag compared to the strength of Tupperware,” Mathewson says. “They’re going to have different strength properties as well as different properties of expansion and contraction.” Composite decking is available in three different series and grades, Boyer says, with the most current known as capstock decking, which combines composites of a plastic and wood fiber core wrapped in an outside vinyl layer (PVC) which keeps water out. Be careful, cautions Mathewson, composite lumber decking may not span as far across joists, the boards that run perpendicular to the house in a deck fame, as the wood decking you wanted to replace. “It’s not a one-for-one trade,” he says.

Know The Code
Codes may be a pain to follow, but if you’re building or remodeling a deck there’s a reason behind using them: safety. Make sure that if you’re interested in building a deck on your property or adding additional decks, you research the building code for your local jurisdiction. It may be your municipality or your state that oversees this. The American Forest & Paper Association has a guide on building decks based on recent building codes and www.deckfailure.com has a variety of white papers and tips on building and maintaining decks.

There are many codes that apply not only to residential property such as single family or town homes, but commercial establishments such as apartment complexes and condos sometimes aren’t always the same. These are key differences for commercial decks:

• Railing height is higher at 42 inches.
• Commercial deck stairs are standard; residential deck stairs can be steeper.
• The live load weight requirement is more, at 100 pounds per square foot.

What To Inspect On A Deck
Deck inspections are a needed service that isn’t being met, but property managers can be proactive about it themselves by having a building professional or home inspector check your deck, Mathewson says. “We’re talking about people’s lives and it does make a difference,” agrees Beaudry.

When inspecting a deck on your property, it’s important to review all the components. Mathewson and Joel Boyer, owner of Unique Deck Builders and Unique Builders, suggest this checklist to inspect your deck:

• Evaluate the condition of deck railing, guards and stairs
• Review screws and board connections to make sure they’re not rusted or broken.
• Look for debris in cracks, water stains, corrosion or rotting
• Is the flashing (metal barrier material that prevents moisture from entering the house) keeping water out?
• Does the deck sway?
• Is the deck sinking or heaving?
• Do the stairs feel sound and solid?
• If one deck is having problems on a multi-unit property with multiple decks, make sure to inspect all the decks

NADRA also offers a deck evaluation checklist that covers the ledger connection, posts and footing, post-to-beam connections, joists and joist connections, stairs, deck boards and hand rails.

By inspecting your deck regularly and ensuring that it’s up to standards can help you keep residents and guests safe on a deck. “The bottom line for property managers,” Beaudry says, “is that they need to be proactive rather than reactive.”

Courtesy of NADRA.ORG

See past blog posts on cleaning your composite decking and railing in the spring.

Over the years Deckorators has built a solid brand reputation by offering innovation, durable deck railing accessories like balusters and post caps. Now Deckorators has broadened its product range to include CXT co-extruded composite deck railing kits and aluminum deck railing kits.

Showcased in the Deckorators booth at the 2012 Builders' Show in Orlando, both Deckorators CXT Railing System and Aluminum Railing System were highlighted using an assortment of Deckorators brand balusters, including the new copper colored round baluster, solar post caps and hardwood cap railing and Duo Connectors on the aluminum railing. See video.

Deckorators railing systems are designed to allow builders to incorporate all styles of Deckorators  baluster infills and post accessories into a project.

About Deckorators CXT Deck Railing
Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, the CXT railing is offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

About Deckorators Aluminum Deck Railing
Deckorators aluminum railing offers a durable black or white powder-coated finish that weathers the elements. The aluminum railing system with a robust profile and eye-catching appearance is backed by a lifetime limited warranty, designed to work with all Deckorators baluster styles, and available in 36- and 42-inch rail heights and both 6' and 8' lengths.

About Deckorators
Deckorators is the first name in deck railing and accessories and the originator of the round aluminum baluster. The pioneering spirit behind the brand has kept the Deckorators name on the leading edge of designing products that create beautiful and unique decks. The brand started the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category with the Classic Series and has since led the industry with innovative products: Colonial balusters, offering the look of traditional colonial times; Architectural balusters, with the beautiful appearance of hand-forged wrought iron; accessories that provide the special accents needed to customize the look of your deck; Connector Series installation products that make installing Deckorators balusters simple and easy. The company’s approach to developing exciting and distinctive deck rail and railing products allows customers the opportunity to express themselves on their deck as they do in their home.

See all Deckorators 2012 Builders' Show featured product video clips.

Latitudes Composite Decking bolsters its deck accessory lineup with decorative, metal fascia corners. The new fascia corners will be available in the spring of 2012 and can be seen in the Latitudes booth (W429) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Latitudes decorative fascia corners are a stylish way to dress up deck skirting and cover corner joints. Each corner is sold individually and installs easily with eight color-matched screws (provided). Made of stainless steel and powder-coated black, fascia corners are available in Leaf and Ridge designs and are offered in 7,” 9” and 11” heights to fit virtually any size fascia boards.

Latitudes composite decking, railing and accessory products are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada.

DIYer/homeowner, Dan Simpson of Manchester, New Hampshire recently constructed a masterpiece deck using Deckorators CXT Railing while incorporating compatible Deckorators glass balusters and solar post caps for great looks and safety.

"I'm very happy with the railing and have received nothing but compliments," said Mr. Simpson.

About Deckorators CXT Deck Railing System
Deckorators CXT deck railing emulates the look of real painted wood and combines proven Strandex® technology on the interior with an ultralow-maintenance exterior cap stock for long-term durability and strength. Deckorators CXT Railing boasts a 20-year limited warranty.

Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, the CXT railing is offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Best of all, Deckorators CXT Railing allows deck builders to work with several popular Deckorators railing baluster infills and post accessories. In addition, Deckorators offers four eye-catching post cap styles, including Tiffany-style Mission Glass, Copper, Solar and Traditional.

A graspable secondary handrail is an important component to consider when planning a deck with stairs. So whether you're constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck or a deck made from other decking material, you're typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck's stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.

Key Residential Stair Handrail Requirements (IRC - International Residential Code)

1. Stairways having four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches in height, whichever is less, must have at least one grab rail.
2. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1-1/4 inches and not greater than 2 inches. If the handrail is not circular it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches and not greater than 6-1/4 inches with a maximum cross section of dimension of 2-1/4 inches.
3. The grab rail must terminate at the newel post (top and bottom posts).
4. Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be a minimum of 1-1/2 inches.
5. The height of handrails must be installed 34 inches - 38 inches from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread.

Graspable secondary handrails are required by more and more building codes / deck codes in areas across the country. Both Deckorators and Latitudes brands feature a secondary handrail system in their respective deck railing products lineups.

These attractive and highly versatile graspable handrails are ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy gauge aluminum and durable PVC, these systems include five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in three colors (adobe, tan and white) to complement a homes exterior.

Check out the American Wood Council's "Design for Code Acceptance" document for complete details. Stair handrail requirements are outlined on page 18.

Looking to distribute secondary handrails or components? Look to Waymark to supply all your fence and railing accessories.

Prior to installing Deckorators aluminum deck rail kit, you may want to contact your local municipality about code requirements for both the height of the upper railing as measured from the deck surface and the open area from the bottom of the lower rail to the deck surface (known as the sweep). I’ll tell you about the standard ranges but keep in mind your local code could be different.

Due to the dozens of attractive Deckorators options, the most challenging part of this process is not the installation – it’s picking the type of baluster and the color. Deckorators originated the decorative balusters category and has provided innovative railing solutions for over a decade. Deckorators all-aluminum railing is specifically designed for use with all Deckorators baluster styles.

Important to note—there are two types of balusters: those that fit between the lower and upper rail and those that face mount to the side of the rails. If you elect to go with balusters between the rails, the holes for the connectors are pre-drilled here in the upper and lower rails. For those that attach to the side of the rails, simply turn the pre-drilled holes downward on the top and bottom rails so the rails don’t take on any precipitation.

Deckorators railing material has a lifetime warranty. It’s made of long-lasting aluminum, which does not rust and makes it ultra-low maintenance. It has a powder coated finish, which looks great, but can get scratched if you’re careless unwrapping and when you’re cutting or drilling. Be careful to not set the pieces down on any metal shavings. Keep your work area free of debris.

Prior to installing the deck railing, there’s a checklist to follow with your existing deck. This post sleeve is meant to fit over posts that are plumb -- not twisted or damaged. Replace the post if necessary. And structural support must come from the continuation of the deck support posts that extend up through the decking or from railing posts bolted to the inside of the rim or outer joists. Railing posts cannot be more than 6 feet apart (on-center).

Once you’ve determined that the posts are good to go, you’ll need to trim the post sleeves to length with a chop saw or circular saw. A carbide-tipped blade works best. Basically, sleeves should be 1-1/2” longer than the rail height. Common rail height is either 36 or 42 inches. However, if you’re installing the optional rail, you’ll need another 1-1/2” of sleeve.

It’s important to note that some wood preservatives may cause an undesirable reaction with aluminum, especially the raw aluminum edge. To prevent this, we have a liner inside the post sleeve and for the raw edge, I recommend shimming or caulking the bottom edge of the post sleeve. After caulking, install the post base trim.

Now it’s time to install the rails and balusters. To determine the length of the top and bottom rails, measure the distance between the installed post sleeves and then remove an additional quarter inch on each end to accommodate the bracket.

For spacing the balusters, Deckorators makes it a snap with pre-drilled holes in the top and bottom rails.

The idea is to try to match the uniform spacing between balusters to the spacing between the end balusters and the posts. To get the proper look, you want the greatest distance possible without exceeding 3-7/8”. To accomplish this, either line up the middle baluster with the center mark or, for spans less than 6 feet on center, line up the space between the balusters at the centerline.

Baluster connectors are secured with a screw on both the top and bottom rails. Be careful you don’t overtighten the screws. And do not insert the balusters until the bottom rail is installed within the brackets mounted on the posts.

To install the brackets, position the bottom rail by using a couple of 2x4 blocks placed under each end of the rail. Spacing of 3” is recommended for the distance between the deck and the bottom of the rail. This is called the sweep and may vary with local building codes. With the bottom rail in position, mark the location of the bracket on both posts. Then pre-drill through the sleeve only using a ¼” drill bit.

Before installing the bottom rail, you’ll need to attach a support block (or foot), cut to size, at the center line.

As noted earlier, some Deckorators balusters are attached on the face of the rails, in which case you would turn down the pre-drilled holes and mark the center line between the two posts. Then, either line up the center baluster or the center of the opening between two balusters. Remember that you want equal end spacing between the last baluster and the post and you don’t want this opening to be greater than 3-7/8”. Now you’re ready to drill the holes for each baluster. For spacing each baluster, I recommend using a small stud block, which is 3-1/2” wide.

The next step is to position and install the top brackets in the same fashion – being careful to pre-drill the bracket holes through the sleeve only. Now before installing the balusters, apply a little adhesive on the outside of the connector or inside the baluster to prevent any turning or rattling in the wind. For balusters that fit inside the rails, simply lower the top rail into position and connect the balusters, gently using a rubber mallet if necessary to eliminate gaps.

An option for a finished look is the cap rail. Cut the cap rail and cap rail insert to length. Something to keep in mind: the cap rail will be ½” longer than the top and bottom rails. Center the cap rail insert on top of the top rail and pre-drill 7 pilot holes for our 6’ span. Screw in the cap rail insert and apply construction adhesive. Situate the cap rail over the cap rail insert by pressing down from one end to the other until it snaps into place. Gently tap with a rubber mallet if needed.

Last item is attaching post caps, which are easily installed using construction adhesive. Choose from pyramid-style or solar post caps if you want to add ambient lighting to your project. Deckorators is the original and finest name in quality post caps.

Now, You should be ready to tackle your Deckorators railing installation with confidence. Be sure to follow the written instructions for recommended drill bit sizes and screws. And remember that deck stair railing kits are also available.

Download step-by-step instructions (PDF file) or see a video.

Universal Consumer Products has added a second deck railing system to the Deckorators® brand lineup called CXT. The Deckorators CXT railing system is co-extruded for ultralow-maintenance and is available through Wolf, the newest distributor of Deckorators brand products. The CXT railing system will be showcased at the 2011 JLC Live tradeshow in New England, beginning March 25.

Deckorators CXT railing emulates the look of real painted wood and combines proven Strandex® technology on the interior with an ultralow-maintenance exterior cap stock for long-term durability and strength. Deckorators CXT railing boasts a 20-year limited warranty.

Available in two distinct profiles, Contemporary and Colonial, CXT deck railing kits are offered in 6- and 8-foot lengths and in 36- and 42-inch installed heights. The unique “U-Bracket” design provides a fastener-free look and makes installation easy, especially on stair rail applications. Pre-drilled rails increase the speed of installation by taking the guesswork out of baluster spacing.

Best of all, Deckorators CXT railing allows deck builders to work with several popular Deckorators railing baluster infills and post accessories. In addition, Deckorators offers four eye-catching post cap styles, including Tiffany-style Mission Glass, Copper, Solar and Traditional.

Available in spring 2011, the CXT railing system will be showcased at the 2011 JLC Live Show in New England (Deckorators booth 1036 and Wolf booth 306).

Deckorators deck, railing and fence accessories are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada. Visit www.deckorators.com for complete information.

About Deckorators
Deckorators is the first name in deck railing accessories and the originator of the round aluminum baluster. The pioneering spirit behind the brand has kept the Deckorators name on the leading edge of designing products that create beautiful and unique decks. The brand started the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category with the Classic Series and has since led the industry with innovative products: Colonial balusters, offering the look of traditional colonial times; Architectural balusters, with the beautiful appearance of hand-forged wrought iron; accessories that provide the special accents needed to customize the look of your deck; Connector Series installation products that make installing Deckorators balusters simple and easy. The brand’s approach to developing exciting and distinctive deck rail and railing products allows customers the opportunity to express themselves on their deck as they do in their home.

Deckorators aluminum railing offers robust profiles for an eye-catching appearance and is designed to work with every Deckorators baluster style. What's more, it's backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

The aluminum deck railing system is available in a black or white powder-coated finish with 36” or 42” rail heights. The system is sold in boxed kits for 6’ or 8’ sections. Both 22.5° and 45° stair rail bracket kits are also available.

Deckorators also offers 18 designer post cap options – including solar lit caps – to add the finishing touch on your deck building project.

Check out this video to see how easy installing the Deckorators aluminum railing system is.

Deckorators, creator of the Postcover, has launched a new and improved cast stone Postcover deck railing accessory line that boasts the look and feel of real masonry.

Deckorators Cast Stone Postcover mimics the look and feel of real stone columns, and is made of glass-fiber reinforced concrete for increased strength and superior protection against the elements. The Deckorators Postcover is designed to coordinate well with wood, composite or vinyl deck railing, wood deck columns and fence posts. Postcovers are hand-painted and come in three unique styles: Gray Cobblestone, Gray Fieldstone and Beige Stacked Stone. All-new cast stone post caps (sold separately) complete the personalized look. 

The 8x8 Postcover is easy to install over deck and fence posts, and is available in 42” or 53” heights. It secures directly to 4x4 or 6x6 cedar or pressure treated wood posts with shims, and ties into the deck’s rails using a rail connector. Deckorators Postcover carries a 15-year warranty against cracking, splitting or warping.

Our new Postcover line offers three realistic options for adding design detail to any deck railing. The Postcover will also help create an inviting entrance on a porch or add a decorative touch to a mailbox, fence post or other design feature. The Deckorators Postcover is innovative and low-maintenance, and costs much less than real stone. Incorporating Postcovers allows homeowners and builders to add a touch of affordable sophistication into their deck design.

Deckorators aluminum deck railing has passed both the 2006 and 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Building Code for its 6-foot railing system in 36- and 42-inch heights.

A code-compliant research report (CCRR) issued by Architectural Testing provides the evidence, technical information and professional evaluation that a building official relies upon to determine that a product, component or construction method complies with specific building codes. The issuance of CCRR-0161 offers extra assurance to building material dealers, contractors and homeowners that the Deckorators aluminum railing system has been tested by a third-party and will perform as designed.

“The building code report is critical to generating new business,” said John Hess, director of sales for Universal Consumer Products. “This report will help improve our ability to drive sales of the Deckorators aluminum railing system, especially where code-compliant railings are required.”

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation is widely accepted among building code officials. The Architectural Testing Code Compliance Research Report is accredited by ANSI as a product certification program. The code compliance research report (CCRR-0161) issued by Architectural Testing (ATI) can be viewed, downloaded and printed from the Deckorators website (see report).

About Deckorators Integrated Aluminum Railing System
The sleek, durable top profile creates an eye-catching appearance and is compatible with all Deckorators baluster styles. This innovative deck railing system is available in powder-coated black or white and features a lifetime limited warranty. The rails are sold in kits to make purchasing simple. Post sleeves, stair rail bracket kits, angled brackets and matching post caps are also available. All kits can be shipped via UPS to the job site.

1. Railing must be at least 36" in height.
2. Bottom of the rail possess a gap less than 4".
3. A stair railing allows up to a 6" diameter gap through the triangle opening formed by the stair riser, stair tread, and bottom rail.
4. All deck railing must be able to withstand a 200 lb force anywhere and in any direction along the top of the rail.
5. Deck railing balusters are required to resist 50 lbs in a 1' square foot area
6. Rail posts should be spaced no greater than 6' apart.