In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code. The guardrails must be strong enough to withstand a concentrated lb. There is also a safety factor required by the code, so testing loads are higher for manufactured railing systems. To achieve this, you should check to make sure you meet the post spacing requirements for the type of posts you are using and how they are attached to the deck.
The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". Handrails are required for stairs in many applications and must meet standards as specified by R Handrail ends must be returned and terminated at rail posts.
The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. The building code becomes law of a particular jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate authority. Building Codes vary by state. Municipalities are usually required to follow the codes set by the state. There are, however, most code inspectors who interpret the code to their own liking and have the authority to do so.
This prerogative has always caused the homeowner additional grief. I recommend that you first find out what your local building code requires before planning any work on your porch. If you question that code, you should contact your state agency Dept.
There is a very good chance the actual state code is less strict than what local enforcement states. Your state rules over your local code. A building permit is required when the scope of work is of a structural nature. For example, if you make repairs to your porch floor, you will not need a permit unless it becomes structural. What this means is that you can replace your porch floorboards without a permit, but when you need to replace the boards under the column or post, that column or post that supports the porch roof will have to be removed.
This now becomes structural work and triggers the requirement of a building permit. If a building permit is required merely to repair the porch floor, then you will also be required to bring your entire porch up to code. That means you will be required to replace your porch railing with one that is permitted by code — even if your porch railing is in perfect shape and does not need replacement. A porch is a very important feature on a house and must follow the architecture of the home.
Many homes have low porch floors that were never designed to have a balustrade. A balustrade consists of the entire railing. The top hand rail, the lower foot rail and the balusters spindals etc.
In these cases, adding a balustrade will NOT necessarily improve the overall appearance. I would suggest leaving it as it is.
The architecture does not warrant balustrade design. If your porch floor is over the heights stated, the code requires a balustrade — porch railing. The problem is that the building code porch rail height must be at least 36 to 42 inches.
Well, that may not sound high to you but in almost all cases that is entirely too high! Your historic railing is perfectly legal since it is grand-fathered to code. This porch is perfect. Adding a railing would not be appropriate or look good. You must follow the architecture of your house to determine the porch railing height.
The sill of the window looking out on your porch can determine the height of the top railing from the porch floor. Although all features on a building are based on the classic orders of architecture, the simplest and most logical method is to use your window as a guide. The top of your porch railing should never be higher than the top of the window sill. That may mean that your original porch railing is only 24 inches high above the porch floor a common height. When looking out the window from indoors, the porch railing and balusters should never block any of your view.
Building codes exist to protect the public. True, someone may fall off the porch and spill their drink all over their nice clean shirt. In the interest of public safety, I would advise that you do not plant rose bushes at the base of your porch in the event your guests take a tumble. The trend of forcing homeowners to live in a protective bubble comes at a great cost — the loss of curb appeal! Careful, a padded room is next!
Balustrade designs with a porch railing that is architecturally wrong — higher than the window sill — gives the appearance of one of those fun-house mirrors or a clown wearing pants pulled way up high. Your porch railing — balustrade looks stretched out and abnormal. Your porch is an outdoor room to enjoy. The balustrade design must match and compliment the architecture of your house. It should not be a cage to keep you on the porch.
Building code railing height looks abnormal like one of those funhouse mirrors. This porch railing needs to be shrunk back down. Beauty is lost — turned into something unappealing and frightening. Forget curb appeal here. This clown looks like he belongs in this house. He is wearing high-water pants and the house has a high-water balustrade.
You might get confused looking at this house. Good — Porch railing is solid and strong. No higher than the window sill. Bad — Too high. Bad — Another cheap toothpick railing. New construction also looks foolish with such a high balustrade design. This is a Colonial style house although it has a Victorian door and porch posts. Notice how skinny the porch posts are. Off the rack — Home Depot! This porch looks great to the untrained eye. This could be a very attractive porch.
The width of the balusters and the spacing between them are just right. BUT — the top rail should be about 2 times thicker, and of course the entire railing is way too high. The columns are not original, but seem like good quality replacements.
Notice that the square — lower portion of the column pedestal is higher than it should be to accommodate a higher railing. It looks like a lot of money was spent for an unsatisfactory result. This homeowner really did try, but building code prevailed at a very high cost — the cost of appearance. Not to mention the landscaping needs work! Hand rail height meets the window sill — but is this correct? As you can see this railing overpowers the house.
The top of this railing seems to meet the window sill, however. When viewing from an angle the top may appear higher than it really is. It should be architecturally correct. But look how out of proportion it seems! Why does it look wrong when it should be right?
What happened here is that the original window was replaced with a larger window and installed much higher than it should be architecturally. The homeowners probably also updated the front door at that time but recently replaced it with one that is an old Victorian style. The point to understand here is that all features must work together on a house.
Wrong windows do not make a right railing. There are rules for window sill heights that affect the railing heights, and affect the overall balance of the house. Fortress Preferred Program. Installation Guides. Request Samples. Fortress Blog Saturday, June 11, Railing. Most often, I hear someone choosing not to add a railing for one of the following reasons: Expense: Some people skip the railing just to save money.
The first time someone missteps and breaks an ankle is going to cost you. Or, if you avoid that, consider the cost to get rid of the critters that decide to move into the dark, enclosed space under your low-to-the-ground deck. Eventually, your choice to build low could cost you.
It will probably cost more than it would to install a railing so you can build higher. But this is another easy fix. Most trustworthy companies will only supply you with railings that meet all code requirements. Rain or snow could pool up under the deck, washing away the dirt and essentially lowering the ground.
That alone can magically make your deck end up higher than 30 inches.
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