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Hi - I managed to complete the main part of the deck this past weekend - it's a 14' 5" x 22' 6" Rectangular deck that is ~ 27" off the ground. I've been working this week on drawing up plans for the railings and the stairs and have a couple of questions.
1. I'm going to be using externally mounted 4x4 rail posts (unnotched - thanks to reading advice from this site
) with 2x4 top and bottom rails with the architectural balusters by Deckorators. I'm planning to put the rails on the inside of the rail posts. Is this correct? Also - would you recommend buying longer 2x4 materials to reduce the number of scarf joints or shorter material since it's easier to find shorter boards that are straight (at least it seems that way to me)
2. Since these are mounted externally to the deck - I need two at each corner. What is the best way to handle the corner rail areas? I'm going to miter the rail cap at the corner at 45 degrees...but what about the top/bottom rails? Does it make sense for them to meet at a 45 degree angle also - which mean I have to leave space for 1 baluster on each side in the corner? Or should I cut the top and bottom rail at an angle that allows it to go from post to post - mount with dowels perhaps and attach a single baluster?
3. I'm planning on extending the posts above the rail cap - so right now I'm planning to notch the 2x6 rail cap which will be screwed to the top rail running along the insides of the rail posts - this would leave a 1/4" overhang for the rail cap. How high would you recommend that I extend the posts above the rail cap? I am planning to get decorative post caps...either lighted or other.
4. The left side of the deck - if looking at it from the backyard - needs a little view obscuring. Looking off the deck that way we stare at a neighbor's eyesore car that has been covered by a tarp for months and we see the front of his house so I'd like to put a screen up to block that view and emphasize the view in the other direction - which is just trees. I'm not sure of the best way to implement this though. Right now I'm considering a "fence" - which is at the same height as the rest of the rail...with perhaps a 6 - 12" extension made of framed lattice - mounted in between the longer rail posts, but I'm not sure of the best way to frame the fence.
I've been looking at lots of pictures online - trying to find some ideas - and I like the idea of a fence that has the wood, framed, and laid at opposing angles...in each panel...if that makes any sense. But I'm not sure of the best way to do this frame since...if I used decking material ~1" and 2x4's....I'll be thicker than the width of the post...or is this ok?
1. I'm going to be using externally mounted 4x4 rail posts (unnotched - thanks to reading advice from this site
2. Since these are mounted externally to the deck - I need two at each corner. What is the best way to handle the corner rail areas? I'm going to miter the rail cap at the corner at 45 degrees...but what about the top/bottom rails? Does it make sense for them to meet at a 45 degree angle also - which mean I have to leave space for 1 baluster on each side in the corner? Or should I cut the top and bottom rail at an angle that allows it to go from post to post - mount with dowels perhaps and attach a single baluster?
3. I'm planning on extending the posts above the rail cap - so right now I'm planning to notch the 2x6 rail cap which will be screwed to the top rail running along the insides of the rail posts - this would leave a 1/4" overhang for the rail cap. How high would you recommend that I extend the posts above the rail cap? I am planning to get decorative post caps...either lighted or other.
4. The left side of the deck - if looking at it from the backyard - needs a little view obscuring. Looking off the deck that way we stare at a neighbor's eyesore car that has been covered by a tarp for months and we see the front of his house so I'd like to put a screen up to block that view and emphasize the view in the other direction - which is just trees. I'm not sure of the best way to implement this though. Right now I'm considering a "fence" - which is at the same height as the rest of the rail...with perhaps a 6 - 12" extension made of framed lattice - mounted in between the longer rail posts, but I'm not sure of the best way to frame the fence.
I've been looking at lots of pictures online - trying to find some ideas - and I like the idea of a fence that has the wood, framed, and laid at opposing angles...in each panel...if that makes any sense. But I'm not sure of the best way to do this frame since...if I used decking material ~1" and 2x4's....I'll be thicker than the width of the post...or is this ok?