I don't need to build a deck railing, nor do I really understand most of what Mark is doing because I'm 100% not a construction person. But I'm happy to support good guys, and if Josh says to rally, we rally.
Loved this video! I made my partner who’s a builder here in New Zealand watch it and he was interested in how Canadians build their decks! He’s about to build a Kwila deck for our house
Looks good Mark. Couple thoughts. Not critique, just observations. Really like the double baluster idea. Looks very professional and gives your deck that custom look. Nice!! Without a newel post at the bottom or the top of the stair railing, I would be concerned about lateral loads against the railing itself. If someone trips, this method is not likely to hold them back from falling off the edge. The railing may topple against that sudden load. Top of your balusters/spindles against the top of the railing will cause peoples fingers to bang against them as they move up or down the stairs. Dropping the top of the balusters would allow people to hold the hand rail continuously as they move up the stairs and not banging their hands into the balusters. Mark Van Dyke Home Improvements.
I am not so sure I would want to trust just those screws in the 2x2 slants to hold that railing in place if a person leaned hard on it while on the deck. There is nothing else holding that railing to the deck. Looks great but I would at least want a 4x4x8 on each end on the outside that is strongly fastened to the deck frame and buried in the ground. I can see there is a good sufficient amount of holding power from the 90 degree corners and stairs though.That top plate certainly helps leaving the only weak spots on each spindle on the bottom where one screw is all they have to hold onto the base board. I plan a similar build here but with 4x4's in the ground on the bottom stair end and on the other corner with ornate tops and perhaps a solar light.
Can you show what was done where the railing meets the house? Is the top of the railing attached to the house or is it unsecured and only held with the screws at the bottom? The camera always stops panning before getting to that view or other objects like the grill are blocking the view.
Mark is a modern day, Bob Villa. Just out of curiosity, what is the permitting process like for all the projects you do in Canada. I am in New Jersey and its a long, drawn out, pain in the butt.
Please do NOT build this without first checking the local building codes for your state. I didn't hear it mentioned in the video and it's a bit irresponsible to not have. There are many states this wouldn't fly in.
