Handrails and guards

Exterior · Porches, Decks and Balconies · printed page 331 (PDF page 332)

Book index entries

Exterior – Stairs Handrails and Guards Guards and Handrails – for Exterior Stairs Handrail – and Guards for Exterior Stairs Stair – Exterior – Handrails and Guards

Text in the illustration

guards
guards are required if the floor of the deck, porch or balcony is more than 30" above grade (24" in Canada).
height above grade
handrail required if more than 3 risers
hand-rails

Generated explanation

The illustration shows an elevated wood deck attached to a house, with an exterior stair descending to grade. Guards with closely spaced vertical balusters surround the exposed deck edges, and a sloping railing follows one side of the stairs. Posts support the deck and stair railing, with visible round concrete footings beneath two posts. An annotation measures deck height above grade and states guard requirements at heights greater than 30 inches, or 24 inches in Canada. Another annotation states that a handrail is required if there are more than three risers.

Components

deck deck boards deck guards vertical balusters guard top rails stair handrail exterior stairs stair treads stair stringers support posts concrete footings

Materials

wood concrete

Related illustrations

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Spindle spacing

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