Wood decking: 2×4 picket wood railing construction

Although aluminum railings have become increasingly popular in recent years, many people still prefer the look of a wooden railing for their outdoor deck. Whether you’re planning to build a wood railing for your deck or have a contractor build a wood railing for you, here are some tips and suggestions to help you build a better, more durable railing.

Many deck builders will use 2×2 wood posts to build their wood railings. They look great when first installed, but unfortunately 2×2 posts tend to warp and lose control over the years. Depending on the environmental conditions of the area you live in, 2×2 pickets can look terrible in just one season! One of the tricks to building a good-looking and durable wood railing is to use 2×4 lumber for the posts.

Another big advantage of choosing 2x4s for pickets is the difference in cost. Most homebuilding centers offer pre-cut deck railing balusters at a higher price than the equivalent length of 2×4 lumber. You’ll need to cut your own lengths from longer pieces, but it’s well worth the cost savings and durability gains.

Also, if you choose 2x4s for your posts, you don’t actually need to use any 4x4s to achieve the code-required railing strength in most locations. Double check with local building codes before proceeding in this way.

Simply start with a 2×4 post screwed to the deck frame in each place you would normally locate a 4×4 post (usually spaced a maximum of 6 feet apart). These will replace the main 4×4 railing posts, so use through bolts to secure them to the deck rim joist and brace the rim joists so they don’t twist. Make sure these initial pickets are perfectly plumb before continuing.

Next, attach a horizontal rail across the top of the main posts and attach a top cap (the railing surface). All that remains is to fill the spans between the main posts with more evenly spaced 2×4’s. All other pickets can be screwed instead of bolted. The result is a much stronger railing that will last longer without warping or twisting.

Remember not to exceed the maximum allowable spacing between pickets, per local building codes (generally 4 inches maximum). Also remember to observe the minimum railing height required by your local building code. The required railing height will change depending on how high off the ground your deck is.