There are two overriding issues in
detailing decks: making the railing
strong enough, and finding materials
that will stand up to the
weather. In this discussion, I will
assume a flush-framed deck,
because low headroom usually prevents
the use of conventional
framing where the joists sit on top
of the girders.
Most Railings Inadequate
Residential railings that meet
code are as rare as ivory-billed
woodpeckers. The BOCA-based
code we use in Massachusetts
requires that a railing resist a 200-
pound horizontal impact load
applied at the top of a railing post.
On a very small deck the railing
itself can transfer this size load back
to the walls of the house, in which
case the vertical railing supports do
not need to