Balconies are a great way to make use of vertical space, but it can be a challenge to keep children and pets safe. Sturdy baluster railing can help you create a safe environment for your family on the balcony or patio. This guide will teach you how to build baluster railing, so you can create a safe place for the whole family.
Balcony railings are actually one of the most important parts of your balcony. They are very strong and sturdy and you need to make sure that they are constructed in such a way as they will provide you with adequate protection against falls as well as any harm. You need to be super careful while building railings because they hold a lot of weight on them even when they are hollow or if it consists of wood. So, if you want to get the best design for railing then you must get it built by experts.
When you have a balcony railing that is built at the right height, along with the right design according to your home’s style and architecture, it can make a beautiful addition to your home. If you are building a free standing balcony or attaching one on top of an existing structure, you will need to get some tools together and follow directions carefully.
Even if you have never done any work like this before, it is not as difficult as it may seem. You just need to be meticulous in following instructions so that your balcony railing gets built correctly and safely.
How To Build Balcony Railing
To build a balcony railing, you need:
- A tape measure
- A level (a line level is best)
- 4×4 lumber such as pressure treated pine or cedar posts (four for every 8 feet of length) or 2×6 redwood boards that are 2 inches wide at least 12 inches long if you want to use them instead of 4×4 posts. If you’re building a railing around your home’s second story, consider making it 8 feet high—that’s the minimum height required by most codes. You can also purchase prefabricated railings from your local hardware store or online retailer like Lowe’s or Home Depot; however, these options will cost more than traditional DIY strategies since they require specialized tools and labor costs associated with assembly.
Measure the railing’s length and calculate the number of posts you need.
- Measure the length of your balcony.
- Calculate how many posts you need for your railing using this formula.
- If you are building a free standing balcony, instead of placing it against another structure like a house or deck.
- If you are building a railing around a deck.
Place your ladder in front of the house or structure at the location where you will be building the balcony railing.
- Place your ladder in front of the house or structure at the location where you will be building the balcony railing.
- Make sure that your ladder is stable and does not wobble as you walk up it.
- Make sure that your ladder is not too close to either the house or structure so that it does not damage them during use, but make sure it is still close enough for you to reach easily without having to move around much once on top of it (unless you wish to do so).
- Also ensure that your ladder is far enough away from any edges or overhangs so that no one can fall off while using it! If unsure, consult an expert before proceeding with this step.
Attach a line level to one end of your chalk line and pull it tight.
Next, attach a line level to one end of your chalk line. Line levels are used to ensure that you’re drawing perfectly straight lines and that the height is level. They’re also helpful for keeping your balcony railing straight and stable.
Pull the chalk line tight and adjust it so that it is perfectly straight, level and tight against the bottom rail on either side of where you want your new balcony railing to be installed. You can use a torpedo level if you have one available or simply lay a flat piece of wood across the top rail as shown in this picture.
Cut your 4×4 wooden posts with a circular saw to match the height of your planned railing along each wall, making sure that a 2×4 cleat is tightly secured to each post.
Cut your 4×4 wooden posts with a circular saw to match the height of your planned railing along each wall, making sure that a 2×4 cleat is tightly secured to each post.
Now cut the 2×4 cleats down to 24 inches long (the length of your planned railing). The first step in the process is to make sure that all of your posts are level and screwed into place. These will be your main supports for the entire garden structure, so it’s important that they’re secure and leveled perfectly before continuing on with any other work.
Drill evenly spaced holes through both ends of each post and into the house or structure that supports the balcony with a 1/2-inch diameter masonry bit and hammer drill.
While the posts are still on the deck, mark the top of each joist with a pencil where you’ll drill into it.
Next, put some masking tape around your hole saw’s blade so that it won’t slip off and slice your fingers when cutting holes in the banister railings. Also wear safety glasses at all times when operating power tools!
Carefully cut evenly spaced holes through both ends of each post and into the house or structure that supports the balcony with a 1/2-inch diameter masonry bit and hammer drill.
Secure your railing posts to each wall with expansion shield anchors using a power drill and 3/8-inch hex-head bolts with washers.
Secure your railing posts to each wall with expansion shield anchors using a power drill and 3/8-inch hex-head bolts with washers.
- Use a power drill, not just a manual hand screwdriver, to drive the bolt into the anchor. This will make it easier for you to get the correct amount of torque on the bolt, which is necessary for attaching posts securely to concrete walls.
- The bolt should be longer than the anchor in order for it to sink into place without hitting any drywall or framing members behind the concrete wall (this would prevent you from being able to tighten everything down properly).
Connect the two ends together by screwing two 2-by-3’s braces together in an “X” pattern under the railing at every other post using deck screws and a power drill.
Screw the two 2-by-3 braces together in an “X” pattern under the railing at every other post using deck screws and a power drill. Because you’re working with lumber that’s already cut, it should be easy to screw one piece of 2-by-3 directly into another without having to measure or mark where each piece goes. If you’re not sure if your measurements are correct, make sure that when you stand on your scaffolding, there is enough room between your feet and the edge of the balcony railing so that someone can walk safely underneath it.
Building a balcony railing is not as complicated as it may seem, but finding where you want to build it may be complicated, especially if you are building a free standing one.
Building a balcony railing is not as complicated as it may seem, but finding where you want to build it may be complicated, especially if you are building a free standing one.
Build on the right side of the door frame
Check with your local building codes office before starting any DIY project. They will let you know if there are any restrictions or guidelines that must be met in order to comply with local regulations. One thing they will make sure of is that any railing must be built on the right side of the door frame when viewed from inside your home.
Final words
Of course, if you don’t want to deal with this, you can always hire a contractor to do it for you. That way, you don’t have to worry about dealing with any of the issues that could come up during the process.
