What is code for railing on decks?

What is code for railing on decks?

The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36″ in height, measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Commercial decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC requires 42″ high guardrails.

What is the name of the railing around the deck?

Balustrade. A balustrade is a railing supported by a series of balusters. Balustrades are sometimes short and ornamental parapets (low, protective walls) found on balconies and terraces. Their balusters are evenly spaced and supported by posts.

What are the different parts of a deck called?

Components of the Deck

  • Footing. – Most decks begin by pouring concrete footings and attaching post anchors.
  • Post. – Posts are attached to the footings and hold the support beams up off the ground.
  • Beams.
  • Joist.
  • Ledgers and header joists.
  • Deck boards.
  • Drainage system.
  • Hidden fasteners.

What is timber decks and railing?

Construction of a wooden deck The deck of a house in general consists of a wooden platform that is built above the ground and is connected to the main building. For safety, a railing around the wooden deck is built ( so that no one can walk accidentally off of the deck ).

What is code for balcony railings?

Building codes require guards and railings for decks, balconies, and other surfaces that are more than 30 inches above the ground. The required height for railings is between 34 inches and 38 inches, measured above the finished stair tread nosings.

What are balcony rails called?

balustrade
A balustrade is a name for that railing on a balcony, porch or terrace. It can be indoors or outdoors. The word comes from the French word balustre; from the Italian word balaustro and balaustra, wild pomegranate flower; from Latin balaustium from Greek balaustion; from its shape.

Do you need railings on deck?

If your deck is below 30 inches, a railing is not required. With that said, if you choose to build a deck, even if it is only 24 inches off the ground, that is still high enough that even an adult could injure themselves.

What is the underside of a deck called?

Soffit: Undersurface of a projection or opening; bottom of a cornice between the fascia board and the outside of the building; underside of a stair, floor or lintel. Span: The distance between supports. is 120 square feet in size.

What is the roof of a deck called?

patio cover
The roof over a deck is usually called a patio cover. This attached structure provides protection from sun and rain and can either have a solid or open roof. Pergola is another name for deck or patio roofs. This is typically characterized as an open roof that’s supported by posts or columns.

What are deck rails made from?

Budget friendly deck rails are generally wood, usually pressure treated lumber, cedar or pine. The materials are inexpensive to buy and install but wood rails do come with increased maintenance costs.

What is a railing used for?

A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide safety or support. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent injurious falls. Handrails are typically supported by balusters or attached to walls.

What is a deck railing?

Deck railing is a guard rail to prevent people falling from decks, stairs and balconies of buildings.

What kind of wood is used to build a railing?

Deck railing construction. The typical deck railing is generally built from pressure treated lumber. Posts on a deck are also typically pressure treated wood and standard sizes are 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8.

What is the difference between a railing and rail?

A rail is a horizontal bar, typically fixed on posts, that forms the top or bottom section of a railing. The rail acts as a guard or barrier. A railing is a barrier system formed of posts, balusters, and rails. The term railing is sometimes shortened to rail. See Baluster.

What is the definition of a deck in construction?

Terminology of decks. A deck is essentially an outdoor floor supported by a frame, posts, and footings secured in the ground; assembled in stages; and built from the ground up. The following terms define all of the important components of a typical deck.