How To Measure The Materials For The Outside Railing Of Stairs?

To measure the length of a deck stair railing, start by measuring the horizontal distance from the edge of the first tread to the edge of the nosing on the floor or landing at the top of the set of stairs. This will determine the length of the railing needed. If installing railings on both sides, make separate sketches and take separate measurements for each side.

To determine the length of galvanized threaded rods, measure the span between the outside of each post and add 2 inches. The threaded rod should stick past the 4×4 posts an inch on each side. Decks and outdoor stairs can develop wobbly railings, often due to a wobbly bottom post. To create a safe and stylish addition to your outdoor space, follow the step-by-step process with careful planning, precise measurements, and sturdy materials.

Exterior staircases must have each tread be a minimum of 10 inches deep, taken from the front lip of a tread to the back corner of a tread. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires 36-in.-high guardrails for decks more than 30 in. above the stair nosings. The top surface of the upper rail should be 30″ to 34″ above the tread, while the rail should be about 6″ above the tread.

Optimal handrail height is required by most building codes for exterior stairs to be between 34 and 38 inches above the stair nosings. Measure 1 step from bottom to top (a) if your stairs are all a uniform height, or measure the entire rise from the ground to the top of the top. Measure the overall height of the stair set and the top surface of the handrail.