Railings and guards

The length, the height off the ground, the post spacing, and the material.

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12′ wood railing: 3 posts (6′ on center), 26 balusters with 3-1/2″ gaps and a 36″ guard.

What people get wrong:

• Notching the posts. A notched 4×4 keeps half its wood right where the push is highest, and the IRC (R507.10.2) forbids notching a 4×4 guard post at the connection: bolt it whole to the rim.
• Posts bolted to the rim alone. Without blocking or a hold-down, the rim twists and the post leans out under a push.
• Eyeballing the gaps. Gaps creep.

The worked example, every line's math and the code notes · Your own sizes in the app

• Deck and porch stairs: Stringers, landings and outside steps
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