How to Attach Wood Balusters

A railing can improve the look of a deck or staircase, but its primary purpose is to prevent falling. Many railing designs incorporate vertical balusters between the posts. Balusters provide extra support for the handrail and -- when spaced correctly -- form a barrier that keeps everyone, especially animals and small children, safely on the walkway. Even a small railing can have 40 or more balusters, and attaching them can be a major chore if you haven't planned ahead. There is a simple technique to make strong balusters on decks and walkways, and with minimal effort.

4-by-4-inch lumber
Tape measure
Circular saw
Plumb bob
2-inch deck screws
Drill
No. 2 Phillips bit
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance between a pair of adjacent posts along the handrail. Cut a piece of 4-by-4-inch lumber to fit lengthwise between the posts, using the circular saw. This will be a brace for the balusters. If the railing has a bottom rail, cut a second brace.
- 2
  Drop a plumb bob from the bottom of the handrail to the edge of the deck, if the railing overlaps the edge and there is no bottom rail. Make marks on the underside of the handrail corresponding to the edge of the walkway. If the posts are set on the deck surface and there is a bottom rail, measure the width of a baluster. Make marks that distance from the front edge of the handrail. Make corresponding marks on the bottom rail.
- 3
  Hold the brace you cut in Step 1 on the marks you made on the underside of the handrail. If the railing overlaps the edge of the walkway, set the far edge of the brace on the marks. If the posts are set on the surface and there is a bottom rail, set the near edge on the marks.
- 4
  Screw the brace to the top rail with 2-inch deck screws. If there is a bottom rail, place the extra brace so its near edge is on the marks. Screw it in place. Drive the screws into the braces at 10- to 16-inch intervals.
- 5
  Make marks for the balusters on the brace that you attached to the top rail, starting at one post and working toward the other. Most building codes require the spacing between balusters to be no more than 4 inches. You may have to adjust the interval to make the spacing between all the balusters uniform. Make the marks on the outside edge of the brace if the railing overlaps the edge of the walkway. Make them on the inside edge if the posts are on the surface and there is a bottom rail.
- 6
  Cut balusters to fit between the top and bottom rails, or use precut balusters that fit between the rails. If the railing overlaps the edge of the deck and there is no bottom rail, use balusters that extend past the surface of the walkway and overlap the rim joist or stair stringer by about 6 inches.
- 7
  Center the balusters on the marks you made, with their tops touching the underside of the handrail. Screw each baluster to the brace attached to the handrail, using one 2-inch deck screw. For balusters that extend below the deck surface, use a level to make sure each baluster is vertical, then screw each baluster to the rim joist or stringer with two deck screws. For balusters that fit between top and bottom rails, screw each one to the edge of the brace under the top rail that faces the walkway. Plumb it with a level and screw the bottom to the brace on the bottom rail.

Standard Weights for Crushed Rock Per Meter

Methods of Bracing Formwork

Walkways