Deck Railing Ideas - Top and Bottom Rails
Simple deck railing ideas for top and bottom rails can enhance the look of your deck. Here are some inexpensive ideas for your deck railing to differentiate your deck railings from your neighbors.
Top Rails
Top rails can be made from 2x4s or 2x6s. They can be placed flat (horizontal) or on edge (vertical). A 2x6 top rail has the benefit of width and can be place over top intermediate posts thus making a stronger railing.
If you allow for each post to protrude between deck railing sections, then the posts will have to bear the brunt of any force as the union between top rail and post will become the weakest link.
Here are some different post and top rail arrangements.
Continuous Top Rail
A continuous top rail can be milled with a slight peak or slope to shed water and give it a nice look and increase resistance to rot and reduce maintenance.
Usually a nice mix of continuous top rail with protruding posts at corners or the end of a run is a great compromise. You be the judge.
Intermittent Protruding Posts
Sometimes posts with decorative caps protruding at each railing section give your the look you want.
Alternating Protruding Posts
Allowing every second or third post to protrude above the top rail can be a very nice touch especially if you allow only corner posts to protrude.
It tends to emphasize the corners and the extended continous top rail adds tensile strength to the entire railing.
Basic Bottom Rail Options
Bottom rails are typically 2x4s set horizontally and are "toe nailed" to posts or sometime set into notches in the posts. The down side to this is that water will "pool" on the bottom rail so more annual maintenance will be required.
If you bevel the edges slightly, up to the start of the balusters, you reduce the flat surface are, create a nice look and promote water flow.
Also, a very simple but functional top and bottom deck railing idea is to place the 2x4s or 2x6s (or combination) on vertical edge and attach 2x2s as balusters or pickets to the top and bottom rails.
The top and bottom rails can then be secured to the posts either on the outer or inner face of the posts or in between posts.
Of course you could go one step further and eliminate the bottom rail all together by screwing the 2x2s directly to the face of the rim joist.