Making Handrails for a Deck & Steps

Deck Support

• 1

  Identify the deck supports. Measure 4 foot lengths along the joists with a tape measure. Mark the locations and ensure the post positioning won't interfere with the deck joists. Count the number of positions to determine the number of posts needed for the handrail.

• 2

  Mark and cut a 1.5-by-7-inch notch from the base of a 2-by-2-by-48-inch post with a jigsaw. The post will rest against the deck with the cut out section against the deck and the overhang facing outward. Cut the number of posts required for the deck.

• 3

  Drill a 1/2 inch hole through the overhanging piece. Square the post with the deck as you set it into position with a level. Screw a lag bolt into the hole to secure the post to the deck. Repeat this step for each successive post.

The Railing

• 4

  Lay two, 2-by-4-by-24-inch boards parallel and even at the ends. Measure a 2 inch depth at from each end of each board. Mark the locations with a line across the wide face.

• 5

  Set the 24-inch boards parallel, wide face vertical, with a 48 inch distance between them. Set a 48-inch board, narrow face vertical, between each 24-inch board along the inside edge of the 2 inch lines. Drill a pair of 3-inch wood screws through the vertical boards into the ends of the adjoining boards.

• 6

  Hook the end of the tape measure to the outer edge of a 24-inch board. Align it with a 48-inch board and stretch it across to the other 24-inch board. Mark positions along the 48-inch boards every 2 inches from interior side to interior side of the 24-inch boards.

• 7

  Line up a 2-by-2-by-48-inch post between every other set of lines along the 48-inch boards. Place the first post at the lines against the upright boards. Make the ends of the posts even with the boards; these are the spindles. Nail a single finishing nail through the 48-inch boards into the spindles at each end of each spindle.

• 8

  Line up two, 2-by-4-by-48-inch boards perpendicular to the pair in the frame. One sits on top and the second is underneath making the top and bottom rail. Nail these boards into the frame via nails set through the boards into the spindle tops. Sand the corners of the top and bottom rails with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the railing.

• 9

  Align a section between two adjacent posts. Set the section 2 inches higher than the deck floor. Have someone hold the section in place. Hammer nails through the upper side boards into the posts. Repeat the nailing through the bottom side board. Hammer a pair of equidistant nails through the posts to complete the section.

The Stairs

• 10

  Use the Deck Support section to assemble the required support posts for the steps.

• 11

  Use the Railing section as a template for constructing two sections of handrails. The only difference between these sections and the deck railing is the angle used for the steps.

• 12

  Mark a pair of 45-degree angles at the ends of all boards forming parallelograms. Each piece must have a downward slope from the top of the steps to the bottom. Cut each piece of wood along these marks .

• 13

  Check the accuracy of the angle with a level. Adjust accordingly.