Enhance safety and style with professional railing installation, stair construction, and safety upgrades for your deck.
Railings and stairs are not just decorative elements. They are critical safety features that protect your family and guests from serious injuries. A deck without proper railings or with damaged stairs is an accident waiting to happen. We take deck safety seriously because we have seen what can go wrong when railings fail or stairs become unstable.
Building codes specify exact requirements for railing height, baluster spacing, stair dimensions, and handrail placement. These rules exist for good reasons, based on decades of safety research. Older decks often do not meet current codes because standards have improved over time. If your deck was built 15 or 20 years ago, the railings probably need upgrading to meet today's safety requirements.
Loose or wobbly railings are especially dangerous. Railings must withstand significant force. Building codes require them to handle 200 pounds of pressure applied in any direction. A railing that wobbles when you lean on it does not meet this standard and needs immediate attention before someone gets hurt.
We specialize in bringing older decks up to current safety standards while improving their appearance. Your updated railings and stairs will look great while providing the protection your family deserves. Safety and style go hand in hand with our professional installations.
Railings define your deck's appearance almost as much as the decking itself. The style you choose creates a specific look and feel for your entire outdoor space. Modern options range from traditional wood to sleek metal and glass systems. Each has distinct advantages for appearance, maintenance, and budget.
Wood railings complement any deck beautifully, especially wood decks. You can stain or paint them to match your home's exterior. The traditional look works with virtually any architectural style. Wood railings do require the same maintenance as wood decking, including regular staining or sealing.
Cable railings have become extremely popular for their modern, minimalist appearance. Thin stainless steel cables string between posts, providing safety while preserving views. They work particularly well for decks with scenic views or where you want to maintain sight lines to your yard. The sleek look fits contemporary home designs perfectly.
Composite railings offer the ultimate in low maintenance. They never need painting or staining, resist fading, and stay looking new for decades. Most composite decking manufacturers offer matching railing systems, creating a cohesive appearance across your entire deck. If you invested in composite decking, matching railings complete the look beautifully.
Deck stairs seem simple but require precise construction to be safe and comfortable. The mathematics of stair building are exact. Get the measurements wrong and every step feels awkward or even dangerous. We build stairs that feel natural and safe because we follow proven formulas and building codes.
Stair dimensions follow the 7-11 rule: risers (the vertical part) should be around 7 inches tall, and treads (the horizontal part) should be around 11 inches deep. This proportion creates comfortable stairs that most people can use easily. Every step must be exactly the same height. Even a half-inch variation creates a trip hazard because your brain expects consistent steps.
Handrails on stairs are not optional. Any stairway with more than three steps requires handrails. They need to be at a specific height, typically 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing. The handrail must be continuous without interruptions, and it must be graspable, meaning you can wrap your hand around it.
Stair stringers, the structural supports underneath, must be properly sized and spaced. Too much distance between stringers allows treads to bounce or sag. We engineer stair structures to handle heavy loads safely. Your stairs will feel solid and stable, not bouncy or rickety.
Landing pads at the bottom of stairs prevent settling and shifting over time. We pour concrete footings or build proper landing platforms so your stairs stay level and secure year after year. Poor stair foundations are a common problem we fix when doing deck repairs.
If your deck was built before 2010, it probably does not meet current building codes. Safety standards have improved significantly over the past two decades. These upgrades not only protect your family but also become legally required if you ever renovate or sell your home.
Baluster spacing is one of the most important safety upgrades. Current codes require gaps no larger than 4 inches between balusters. This prevents small children from slipping through or getting their heads stuck. Many older decks have 6-inch or even wider spacing. We can retrofit tighter spacing without replacing your entire railing system in many cases.
Railing height matters tremendously. Modern codes require 36-inch minimum height for railings, and 42 inches is even better for decks more than 6 feet off the ground. Lower railings, common on older decks, do not provide adequate fall protection. Raising railing height usually means installing entirely new railings, but the safety improvement is worth the investment.
Graspable handrails on stairs save lives. Older decks often have flat 2x4 or 2x6 cap rails that are difficult or impossible to grip properly. Modern codes require handrails you can wrap your hand around. We install code-compliant handrails that provide secure grip when someone needs support on stairs.
Lighting upgrades dramatically improve safety while adding ambiance. Low-voltage LED lights on posts, stairs, and railings eliminate dangerous dark spots. You can see where you are walking after sunset, preventing trips and falls. The transformation in both safety and appearance is remarkable.
We will evaluate your deck's railings and stairs and recommend any needed safety upgrades.
Call (424) 269-7604