Porch Railing Codes

Porch Railing Installation

• Basically, railing height must be at least a minimum of 36 inches from the floor of your porch floor. If your porch or deck is above a certain distance from the ground (over 9 feet for example) you may be required to install 42 inch balusters or longer.
• It's extremely important to check with your local building codes department to determine your local requirements. You may have to add a middle rail to support the balusters if you exceed 36 inches.
• Balusters can only be a maximum of 4 inches apart (so that a 4" spherical object cannot pass through them. See our porch railings calculations guide.
• In most cases, you are required to have a railing when the floor of your porch is 30 inches or more above grade. However, 30 inches can be a long to fall; therefore some codes may require railings if your porch is 15 or 24 inches above grade.
• If you are concerned about safety, consider these lower distances for railings. You can install railing no matter the distance.







Advertisements








Advertisements





• Railings should be designed to withstand a force of 200 pounds pushing either downward or against it.
• Some railing codes specify types of fasteners that can be used and some restrict notched posts on the outside joists.
• Horizontal railings are allowed in some geographical areas but exercise caution as horizontal railings invite children to easily climb on them posing a potential safety hazard.







• There may also be specific handrail requirements (width dimensions).

Wheelchair Ramp Railing Codes

Explore More Front Porch Railing Ideas Calculate Your Porch Railing Requirements See how easy it is to calculate your railings...

Porch Railing Materials Guide Discover your material options for porch railings...

You are here... Porch / Porch Railing Ideas / Railing Codes

Advertisements

The Secret to Getting Paid for What You Already Know

Helpful Links

Popular Pages

What's New

Porch Designs

Porch Ideas for Mobile Homes

Find a Local Contractor

Build a Porch | Small Porches

Porch Columns | Porch Railings

Screened Porches

Porch Curtains | Porch Enclosures

Porch Landscaping | Vinyl Lattice

Porch Decorating | Porch Ideas

Navigation Aids

Home | Top of Page

Site Search | Site Map

Contact Us

Policies

Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy

Legal Info

---

Please Join Us Here Also

Find a Local Contractor

Our Sponsors

PCA Products Complement any Home

Porch Store - Custom Porch Products

Vintage Woodworks for Your Porch Parts

---

Click here

Copyright© 2008-2020
Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com.
All rights reserved.
Content and photos may not be reproduced
in any way without our written permission.