Project Guide
How to Replace a Deck Railing
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Time Required: 2-4 hours
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Difficulty: Intermediate
If your deck railing is damaged, you should replace it at once to avoid accidental injury. As with any deck repair project, thoroughly coat replacement parts with sealer-preservative, paying special attention to cut ends. This guide will teach you how to replace your worn out deck rail with new one.
Tools
Materials
- Mark the rail position on the posts, and remove the damaged railing.
- Position the new rail against the inside of the stairway posts.
- Align the rail with the top rear corner of the top post and with the mark on the lower post.
- Have a helper attach the rail temporarily with deck screws.
Join lumber for long rails by cutting the ends at 45-degree angles.
Drill 1/16-inch pilot holes to prevent the nails from splitting the end grain, and attach the rails with 16d (3 1/2-inch) galvanized nails.
Tip: Screws may split the mitered ends.
Attach the ends of the rails to stairway posts flush with the edges of the posts.
Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes, and attach the rails with 2-inch deck screws.
- Position the cap so the edge is flush with the inside edge of the rail.
- Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes, and attach the cap to the rail with 2 1/2-inch deck screws driven every 12 inches.
- Drive the screws into each post.
- Bevel the ends at 45-degree angles.
- Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes, and attach to the post using 16d galvanized nails.
At corners, miter the ends of the railing cap at 45-degree angles.
Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes and attach the cap to the post with 2 1/2-inch deck screws.
At the top of stairs, cut the cap so that it is flush with the stairway rail.
Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes, and attach the cap with 2 1/2-inch deck screws.