Do I need a handrail on my deck stairs?
So whether you’re constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck or a deck made from other decking material, you’re typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck’s stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.
Which side should handrail be on deck stairs?
Standard building codes do not state a requirement for what side a handrail should be placed for residential structures. The handrail can be on either side of the stairs as long as it continuously runs the entire length of the stairs.
Do you need a handrail on both sides of deck stairs?
Do I Need Handrails On Both Sides of Deck Stairs? Nope. You don’t need a handrail on both sides, but you may need a railing if your deck is higher than 30″. Many contractors construct a combo handrail and stair rail system, installed on both sides, to cover all safety requirements.
How tall should deck steps be?
An ideal riser height is 7 or 8 inches. The optimal tread width (from front to back) is 10 inches. Treads should never be less than 9 inches, nor more than 11 inches. Begin by measuring the total rise of the stairs, that is the distance from the ground to the top of the deck.
How high should a handrail be on steps?
To meet building code requirements, the stair railing should be mounted so that the top of the handrail height is 34 to 38 in. above the front edge of the stair nosings.
Do stairs need railings on both sides?
Handrails are required on both sides of stairs and ramps. They are placed between 34 inches and 38 inches above the leading edge of a stair tread, the ramp surface, or the walking surface. Where children are the primary users of a facility, the ADA recommends a second handrail for children.
What is standard rise and run for deck stairs?
The maximum allowable stair rise is 7 3/4 inches, and the minimum stair rise is 4 inches. For recommendations on rise-run combos, see the tip below. The difference between a stair’s longest and shortest riser height or stair depth should be no more than 3/8 inch.
How many feet apart should deck post be?
Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.
How far apart do deck footings need to be?
The standard rule for footings is that for a basic deck, the larger the beam and footing size, the fewer footings you’ll need. If you’re building a simple deck, footings and posts should be placed 8 feet apart on average.