A railing is an important part of the safety of your deck. In Canada, the laws and code surrounding railing requirements are quite strict and must be adhered to. As such, a common question being asked is does my deck need a railing? In most cases, this is a yes.
Does My Deck Need a Railing?
Most clients are unaware that any deck situated 24 inches (60cm) above grade requires a railing. This measurement is taken from the ground, directly to the top of the deck, so it includes the height of the deck itself.
In addition to the need for a railing on most residential decks, there are also strict code requirements on the height of the railing itself. Any deck that is situated between 24 and 36 inches from grade requires a railing that is at least 36 inches in height. A deck that sits above the 36 inch threshold requires deck railings that are at least 42 inches in height.
Deck rails also have other important requirements designed to keep occupants safe. In addition to height, railings must also be able to withstand specific loads. Having a strong railing is important, as you never know who are what might be leaning against it.
Railings that are not solid design (ie. rails and posts) must also adhere to specific guidelines regarding the distance between each rail. In Canada, this is generally no more than 4 inches allowed between each section. This is to protect small children from squeezing between rails and becoming injured.
If your deck requires railings, there are a lot of factors to consider in the design and installation. To make sure your railings are built to code, and protect your family and other occupants, trust Deck Experts to build it right.
