| It is all well and good wanting the perfect railing | | | | also look good too. This means that there is even |
| designs in your home and garden, but it is | | | | more reason to include them in your decking. It is |
| absolutely essential that you follow the safety | | | | important to remember that there is a code for |
| instructions to the very last letter. | | | | each different type of material you could use and |
| There are safety codes which state exactly what | | | | the height restrictions are different with each |
| you can and cannot do and you really do need to | | | | material. Generally though, the height should never |
| follow these in order to prevent an accident. The | | | | usually be less than 30 inches. |
| regulations are not just there to protect you; | | | | When constructing the deck railings, it is important |
| they are there to protect anybody who steps | | | | to note that the code also includes the space that |
| foot onto the deck including your friends and | | | | you can place the posts. For example, it is |
| family. | | | | generally important that the posts are not placed |
| The Main Safety Points to Remember | | | | too far apart as a child would be able to easily slip |
| The main thing to bear in mind is that all decks | | | | through and injure themselves. Really it just takes |
| need railings. It is absolutely essential otherwise | | | | a little common sense but you need to ensure |
| people could fall and injure themselves. As for the | | | | that your railings abide by the code. |
| height of the railings, each area will have its own | | | | Always check with your local state officials as to |
| restrictions and it is important that they are high | | | | what the codes are within your area, that way |
| enough to protect the people within the deck, and | | | | you will avoid any hefty fines and you will have a |
| low enough to hold onto. | | | | peace of mind that you are following regulations. |
| Most codes state that if your deck is over three | | | | If you simply go ahead and build the railings and |
| feet away from the next horizontal surface, you | | | | deck without checking the regulations first you |
| are going to need some form of protection in | | | | not only get faced with a fine, but you also will |
| case of a fall. Some homeowners choose to | | | | have to take down the railings which will be a |
| include a wall for this but it can be expensive and | | | | complete waste of your hard work. |
| it does not always work. | | | | So, always read the regulations and follow them |
| Deck railings not only provide safety, but they | | | | to the very last letter! |