Understanding Deck Railing Stair Construction

Gillsons Timber -For Deck Railing Stair Construction and Purchase

Understanding Deck Railing Stair Construction

Warning: When undertaking any kind of deck railing stair construction especially when installing stair railings, child safety is paramount. Always plan for the minimum distance between spindles and a gate across the entrance.

You will find the folllowing terms helpful when installing stairs and railings on your deck. These terms are not only helpful when learning how to install stair railing, but also when compiling your cutting list from the plans.

Stringers - Rectangular lengths of timber that form the two outmost sides of a stair. Available in various sizes for use with stair angles to attach treads.

Stair Risers - Precut sections used to form the basis of the stairs upon which the treads are placed. Several sizes are available to accommodate various heights.
Normally used in pairs, but more can be used if wide stairs are planned.

Treads - Wooden decking used to provide steps. Can be made from decking offcuts from the main deck installation.

Newel posts - 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100mm tanalised posts.

Hand Rail - Topmost timber of the rail structure. One such handrail, known as the Crown Base rail has rebate on the underside to accommodate the spindles which are separated by a fillet.

Spindles - Basic spindles are rectangular 38 x 38 and are fitted into the underside rebate of the handrail and the upper side rebate of the base rail. These are the most simple wood railing designs for decks available. Pine stair railings being the most common. There are many other types of spindle such as the ever popular rustic log railing. But alternative materials are now being used for spindle designs such as glass and aluminium.

Fillet - 19 x 38mm rectangular wood section that fits into the upper and lower rebates of the railings to locate the spindles evenly across the balustrade.

Base Rail - Lower timber rail that has a rebate on the upper face also to accommodate spindles which are again separated by a fillet.

Handrails, spindles and base rails are all joined together to form one solid balustrade between newel posts. Whatever deck railing stair construction you decide upon, and there are many free deck railing designs about, just remember, make child safety your first

consideration. Note: Various spindle types and stair mouldings are available but a basic layout has been used for simplicity.