Install them flush with the top.
Fasten top railing cap.
Tip centering the cap on the rail if the railing cap is 5 1 2 inches wide and is resting on a 1 1 2 inch thick top rail with 3 4 inch thick balusters which do provide some support then to be centered the cap.
For a more finished look bevel the bottom of each baluster.
Each railing panel is between a 4x4 post and consists of an upper and lower cedar 2x4 rail oriented on it s edge with aluminum pipe spindles every 4 inches.
Attach with structural screws not deck screws.
Mix and match post and top rail sizes.
The easiest way is to use a 2 4 as a spacer.
The cap rail that goes over the top rail is grooved underneath to fit nicely over the 2x4 on its edge.
Most designs have the top rail flush with the top of the posts so the post cap can rest on it.
Get maximum visual interest from simple wooden railing by incorporating a 6x6 post at corners 4x4 post mid run.
Cut another 2x4 to the same length plus the combined width of the outside joist and the decking thickness.
Install your cap rail by running 2 3 screws per end into the adjacent post run screws up from bottom edge of 2x4 cap rail into post to hide those screws.
Typical deck codes say that a railing should have no opening larger than 4 inches.
Better predrill those holes too.
Just lay the spacer on the deck and the bottom rail on top of it.
Sthe bottom rail is typically 3 1 2 to 4 inches above the decking.
Fasten by drilling pilot holes and driving screws or nails.
01 48 how to attach deck railing.
They can be placed flat horizontal or on edge vertical.
The deck railing is built.
Screw the balusters into the top and bottom rails.
If you are working with wooden railings you can make top rails from 2x4s or 2x6s.
The deck railings consist of 2 x 4 top and bottom rails attached to the back of the posts a 5 4 x 6 rail cap and 2 x 2 balusters.
Screw the top cap to the top rail every 12 inches.
Run them along each post flush with the top.
To make a regular post cut two 1x4s and one 2x4 to the height of the railing minus the thickness of the rail cap.
00 12 how to measure cut and prepare deck railing.
On your existing 2x4 top rail using a countersink bit predrill a hole 1 below the top edge at an upward angle every 18 or so.
Step 6 install the balusters.
Good to know make miter cuts at the ends of rail caps that will meet at corners.
These run along the top of the posts and top rails.
