How to Build a Deck Railing | Ask This Old House

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  • čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
  • In this video, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert builds and installs a railing for deck stairs that will match the original railing around the rest of the deck.
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    Nathan Gilbert and Mauro Henrique make a house call to help a homeowner build, install, and paint a deck stair railing. The stair entrance to the deck on the front side of the house has a railing, but the backyard entrance does not. This troubled the homeowner because she has a young son that loves to play in the backyard, and she’s worried he might fall off the steps. Nathan agrees, there are four risers and any stairs that have over two should have a railing for safety. Since there are railing throughout the rest of the deck, Nathan plans to build a replica railing to match so it looks like they were always there.
    Time: 5 hours
    Skill Level: Moderate
    Shopping List:
    2x2” stock for the balusters [thd.co/3AYHxKD]
    4x4” stock for the posts [thd.co/3im2qYO]
    2x4” stock for the top and bottom of the railing [thd.co/3kVuR1p]
    Stainless steel screws [thd.co/3CRB5pg]
    Structural screws [thd.co/2YiboiO]
    Primer sealer spray [thd.co/3mcytvn]
    Safety glasses [amzn.to/3AXlfsF]
    Ear protection [amzn.to/2Y0mmJq]
    Tools:
    Drill [amzn.to/3mfVr4D]
    Miter saw [amzn.to/3B9AP4g]
    Circular saw [amzn.to/3kVUXBj]
    Level [amzn.to/3B3XiQA]
    Sander [amzn.to/2ZMpgm3]
    Measuring tape [amzn.to/3D1AKQY]
    Steps for building a deck railing
    1. For material, Nathan picked up wood made of fir, which is a great material for decks and is water resistant. It also takes paint better than pressure treated wood does.
    2. Remove the bottom stair deck boards.
    3. To find out what you need to notch out of the post, use one of the 2x4’s and plumb a level from the stringer. Make a mark on the inside of the level and take a measurement for the cut.
    4. Take the notch out of the posts.
    5. Make the top of the post from 45 degree cuts all around.
    6. Drill a couple pilot holes at the bottom of each post for the structural screws.
    7. Put the post in place, make sure it is level and plumb.
    8. Secure posts by screwing in the structural screws.
    9. Find the angle and length of the bottom and top rails by laying the two pieces together on the nose of each stair tread, and mark where they hit each post.
    10. The angle of the rails will be the same angle the balusters will need to be cut.
    11. Make the cuts.
    12. Spray the ends of the balusters and rails with primer.
    13. Assemble the balusters to the top and bottom railings.
    14. Install it to the posts.
    Where to find it?
    Nathan built the deck stair railing out of fir decking in a variety of sizes, including 2x4”s for the top and bottom rails, 4x4”s for the posts, and 2x2”s for the balusters.
    To cut the lumber to size, Nathan used a sliding compound miter saw, which is manufactured by Dewalt [amzn.to/3B9AP4g].
    Expert assistance with this segment was provided by William C. Gilbert Carpentry.
    Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
    Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: www.thisoldhou...
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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    How to Build a Deck Railing | Ask This Old House
    / thisoldhouse

Komentáře • 95

  • @briancnc
    @briancnc Před 2 lety +72

    Some say Mauro never made it back from the paint store ...

    • @GeorgeNadaYT
      @GeorgeNadaYT Před 2 lety +11

      He lost the block of wood😒

    • @rogerNOmore
      @rogerNOmore Před 2 lety

      @@GeorgeNadaYT it was more than just a piece of wood.

    • @JasonOvalles
      @JasonOvalles Před 2 lety

      He did come back!
      czcams.com/video/6Cw1DyeO5is/video.html

    • @OneIdeaTooMany
      @OneIdeaTooMany Před 2 lety

      7:20, the block makes it back home but not Mauro

    • @lucerocastillo6103
      @lucerocastillo6103 Před 9 měsíci

      He definitely gets drunk

  • @awaara24
    @awaara24 Před 2 lety +7

    Legend has it Mauro is still at the paint store

  • @davidharris2178
    @davidharris2178 Před 2 lety +24

    I’d paint those posts before mounting them. A lot easier than masking everything and the bending to reach with the brush.

    • @PJJ196
      @PJJ196 Před 2 lety +2

      No one cares what you think

    • @verygoodboy2688
      @verygoodboy2688 Před 2 lety +1

      @@PJJ196 true but I also agree with him

    • @rogerNOmore
      @rogerNOmore Před 2 lety

      @@verygoodboy2688 true and I also agree with you

    • @OmarGarcia-bi7jq
      @OmarGarcia-bi7jq Před 2 lety

      @@rogerNOmore true but I agree with PJ

  • @TheRealNosferatu
    @TheRealNosferatu Před 2 lety +40

    Probably wouldnt have been a bad idea to paint the posts before they go in. That way the end grain thats touching the ground wont allow as much water and will prevent rot

    • @figrollin
      @figrollin Před 2 lety +6

      I was worried about the exact same thing. Surprised they didn't used pressure treated !

    • @billbriggs2309
      @billbriggs2309 Před 2 lety +5

      @@figrollin Pressure Treated is good for decay resistance but also has a nasty tendency to warp which leads to a lot of disappointment.

    • @GeorgeNadaYT
      @GeorgeNadaYT Před 2 lety +4

      I would have sprayed the bottom of the post with flex seal. Give a water tight seal.

    • @Guardducks
      @Guardducks Před 2 lety +1

      @@GeorgeNadaYT flex seal does not adhere to wood. I tried it. Plus it takes 24 hrs to dry.

    • @SalvadorSTMZ
      @SalvadorSTMZ Před 2 lety +1

      I read somewhere that you're not supposed to paint the bottom of vertical wood beams to allow for water drainage?

  • @thelostarchivesserialvault5353

    Seriously, setting a pine post that you just cut off and notched right on the dirt with zero treatment. Those rails will rot out pretty quick at that point. I would have built up several layers of the pvc material to make the post and then cut and sanded it to fit the same dimensions. At the very least Cedar would have been a better choice. I typically use heat shrink sleeves on any wooden part that is on or in the ground. You should always tape seal the tops of joists. Things last longer if you take the time to protect them.

  • @ehate4life1221
    @ehate4life1221 Před 2 lety +5

    I think you guys should review the international deck building code. 4x4 post can not be notched

    • @Yo-nc7uu
      @Yo-nc7uu Před 4 měsíci

      They are also supposed to go on the inside of the stringer, not the outside

  • @jl3973
    @jl3973 Před 2 lety +4

    I noticed the new lenses and camera. Looks good!

  • @Jddlincoln
    @Jddlincoln Před 2 lety +19

    So you prime the ends of you’re balusters but not the fir posts that are in contact with the ground……

  • @Guardducks
    @Guardducks Před 2 lety +2

    Cute home owner. Nice work Nathan.

  • @ja8898
    @ja8898 Před 2 lety +2

    You're back! I've been missing my diy daily fix

  • @1wadup
    @1wadup Před 2 lety +4

    Great work. And, maybe it’s because I usually watch from my phone, but it looks like you guys got some new cameras! Great resolution and work as always!

  • @hilbert551
    @hilbert551 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Oh the army of arm chair quarter backs and YT experts on these commentaries. Too funny 🤣.

  • @Techmatt167Official
    @Techmatt167Official Před 2 lety +8

    Mauro definitely lost that block of wood

  • @billbriggs2309
    @billbriggs2309 Před 2 lety +7

    Hand rails on stairs have a requirement for "graspability". This does not meet that requirement. Usually the handrail is installed after the construction of the guard constructed in this video. Also the building code does not "suggest" 4 inch space. The code require the spaces to be no wider than 4 inches.

    • @disophisis
      @disophisis Před 2 lety

      This is something that annoys me about my deck. Maybe half the home brew decks I've seen have decent hand rails.

  • @japan-e9j
    @japan-e9j Před 2 lety

    Beautiful...wonderful...Awesome...素晴らしい。

  • @eyernhyde5441
    @eyernhyde5441 Před 5 měsíci +1

    HELP! I've watched this a dozen times and I still didn't understand how he's getting 4" on center with that technique?

  • @scottyellis3442
    @scottyellis3442 Před 2 lety

    Love the video's, love the show on PBS, been watching for 30 years. 👍🏻

  • @platipuss777
    @platipuss777 Před 2 lety +6

    no ground contact PT for those uprights? You could have AT LEAST used some VG cedar.

    • @BType13X2
      @BType13X2 Před 2 měsíci

      I put my lower railing on the 2nd stair tread and into a concrete decking pyramid, whole deck is made out of pressure treated and the 4x4 is treated / meant to go underground so it shouldn't rot, but I still try to avoid wood in dirt anyway.

  • @wmeemw994
    @wmeemw994 Před 2 lety +4

    Wooden post endgrain should NEVER make any contact with dirt. Min. 3” crushed 3/4” stone under endgrain (see rot or mildew on bottom riser) affix to pressure-treated stringer sitting on pressure-treated sill.

  • @daveb11230
    @daveb11230 Před 2 lety +2

    Why not use treated lumber?

  • @ClintChance
    @ClintChance Před 2 lety

    I'm really liking the new faces!

  • @ryk3899
    @ryk3899 Před 2 lety +1

    Absolutely crazy that you didn't paint those cuts

  • @the_jonathan_o
    @the_jonathan_o Před 2 lety +7

    I would've loved to see it painted.

    • @cup_and_cone
      @cup_and_cone Před 2 lety +6

      How dare you come to a TOH video expecting to see a finished product.

    • @ThisNamesNowTaken
      @ThisNamesNowTaken Před 2 lety +2

      The second video is uploaded now 👍🏻

    • @JasonOvalles
      @JasonOvalles Před 2 lety

      Here's the link: czcams.com/video/6Cw1DyeO5is/video.html

  • @andywrites2141
    @andywrites2141 Před 4 měsíci

    FYI. Codes don't allow notching of a railing post.

  • @dessertman1181
    @dessertman1181 Před 2 lety

    He made it look pretty easy

  • @karlhungusjr1
    @karlhungusjr1 Před 2 lety +2

    05:20 they look like they are on a greenscreen.

  • @mikevannote651
    @mikevannote651 Před 3 měsíci

    And the bottom face board that was clearly damaged wasn't replaced?

  • @george7844
    @george7844 Před 2 lety +4

    Where's Tom Silva

  • @TheAndybenoit
    @TheAndybenoit Před 2 lety +2

    Mauro never came back. Lol

  • @rafaelsays175
    @rafaelsays175 Před 2 lety +3

    Ain’t no one better than Mauro on paints

  • @williamwatson171
    @williamwatson171 Před 3 měsíci

    Never notch out 4x4 post. You have it 2X4. It will rot out quickly

  • @4realjacob637
    @4realjacob637 Před 2 lety +3

    "stainless steel strips really easily"
    Then gives her a drill and not an impact driver. 🤣

  • @marty9660
    @marty9660 Před 2 lety

    Stainless is a very soft metal?
    Stainless steel screws have an incredibly high tensile strength, measuring between 100,000 and 150,000 tensile pounds per square inch (PSI). Screws made from galvanized steel, on the other hand, have an average of only 62,000 PSI.Sep 14, 2020

    • @TheRealNosferatu
      @TheRealNosferatu Před 2 lety +1

      Tensile strength is not the same as hardness

    • @marty9660
      @marty9660 Před 2 lety

      @@TheRealNosferatu ever try to cut or drill through stainless. its some hard f**** S***

  • @peterhanson3962
    @peterhanson3962 Před 2 lety

    Why do you pump the trigger on the drill/driver? I was always told to drive the screw all the way in before releasing the trigger to save wear and tear on the drill.

    • @Guardducks
      @Guardducks Před 2 lety +1

      To avoid walking of the bit, that's my guess.

    • @cup_and_cone
      @cup_and_cone Před 2 lety

      It's an impact...it's either impacting or it's not. He's trying to avoid overdriving the fasteners.

    • @4realjacob637
      @4realjacob637 Před 2 lety

      @@tatersngravy99 for years I haven't paid of a single thing on the show.
      In fact, they probably get paid hundreds of thousands just to use a certain screw

  • @andrewbeyer2747
    @andrewbeyer2747 Před 2 lety

    Beautiful home!

  • @sloth9669
    @sloth9669 Před 2 lety +1

    What “pencil” is he using?

    • @DIYEricAZ
      @DIYEricAZ Před 2 lety

      I belive its a "Pica Pencil"

  • @eitomars
    @eitomars Před 2 lety

    3:42 looks like drilling with reversed direction...

  • @DarkendSun
    @DarkendSun Před 9 měsíci

    I learned something...he said stainless is a very soft metal🤔

  • @markstansbury6795
    @markstansbury6795 Před 2 lety +2

    Where's Tommy or norm at? This is their job.

    • @rdjass0317
      @rdjass0317 Před 2 lety

      I smell training for their replacement

    • @ThisNamesNowTaken
      @ThisNamesNowTaken Před 2 lety +1

      Norm quit the show. He’s never around anymore

    • @FOCUS-777
      @FOCUS-777 Před 2 lety

      Behind the camera sitting on the production chairs sipping coffee and taking notes preparing their judge point cards and eating donuts with their mask on their chin 😂 joke aside good job👍

  • @kenc2257
    @kenc2257 Před 2 lety

    Hey! Didn't get a chance to see Mario paint those railings gray.

    • @ThisNamesNowTaken
      @ThisNamesNowTaken Před 2 lety

      You’re going to be waiting a while. No one by that name is employed by the team.

  • @migueltor6434
    @migueltor6434 Před rokem

    Never saw 👀 the paint job.

  • @andrewc6385
    @andrewc6385 Před 2 lety +1

    Youre not gona get a 4x4 that looks that good where im from lol

  • @charles.shafer8288
    @charles.shafer8288 Před 2 lety

    No sound on that one

  • @jamiestott3371
    @jamiestott3371 Před 2 lety

    Cut end grain on soil 😮

  • @stevenleger8569
    @stevenleger8569 Před 2 lety

    Pay premium prices for contractors that do not do a great job. But thanks take my money, because I do not know what is good or great. I can tell my friends at the club, I was on This Old House.

  • @dielauwen
    @dielauwen Před 2 lety +1

    Wrong! I make em on the workbench then install.

  • @jantsbenzproaudio
    @jantsbenzproaudio Před 2 lety

    Ohh where is tom silva😅

  • @1971mav
    @1971mav Před 2 lety

    One thing about this show is these old houses look great but the owner has some minor nitpick. And they are most likely the kind of people that can afford to pay a professional to do it.

  • @JohnDoe-jc3cl
    @JohnDoe-jc3cl Před 2 lety

    @ 2:04. “ stainless is a very soft metal “
    Now I know you don’t know what you’re talking about.

  • @avalon449
    @avalon449 Před 2 lety +2

    Did you screw down from the top into the rail? Come on!

  • @oldtwinsna8347
    @oldtwinsna8347 Před 2 lety

    Why didn't Kevin try to take a crack at doing this?

  • @jeffwilson1399
    @jeffwilson1399 Před 2 lety +2

    This Old Bobblehead Homeowner
    🦞🦞🦞

  • @mrsoccergod5001
    @mrsoccergod5001 Před rokem

    Untreated wood directly on the ground... big no no

  • @mathewmathew08
    @mathewmathew08 Před rokem

    She is cute

  • @luckybestwash
    @luckybestwash Před 2 lety +1

    Use drywall screws for best results

    • @cup_and_cone
      @cup_and_cone Před 2 lety +2

      The internet would be better off if you never commented again.

    • @sloth9669
      @sloth9669 Před 2 lety +1

      I say troll on!

  • @CB_ChaosLove
    @CB_ChaosLove Před 2 lety

    No This New house?

  • @Mihogan
    @Mihogan Před 2 lety +2

    The camera focus is so jarring

  • @daveklein2826
    @daveklein2826 Před 2 lety +2

    All the wannabe contractors should be voicing their uneducated opinions shortly

  • @Jsuttar
    @Jsuttar Před 2 lety +1

    First!

  • @WannaBeHocker
    @WannaBeHocker Před 2 lety +2

    This looks really fake/ green screened......... very rare for TOH

  • @ryk3899
    @ryk3899 Před 2 lety

    Why are the women on these videos ALWAYS so high pitched, nasaly and annoying

  • @oldskoolwayy
    @oldskoolwayy Před 2 lety

    Who put those cheap azz metal screws in the deck tread in the first place..and it is sad the amount of women who have homes but have no male in the homes to fix things.....way to go for demasculinity....yayyyyyy