Porch Railing

[Dennis Puskar]

What is the correct height of porch railing ?

Dennis

[Gene Michael]

The code approved height for interior railing varies by locale, but generally 36" works for most. The space betrween railings should not permit a 4" ball to be passed between the balusters.

[Dennis Puskar]

Thanks Gene for the info.

Dennis

[Wayne Cannon]

Here, it's 36" for residential up to some height (one story?). Commercial or higher decks require taller railings.

[Richard Wolf]

A couple of points on outside rails; Try to keep it at the min. of 36". If you go higher it will block your line of sight when you are sitting in your rocker. The spacing of balusters is 4" between spindles, but closer spacing on outdoor rails looks better.

Richard

[Matt Ocel]

Dennis -

36" is the minnimum! On a horizantal rail.

On a stairway rake, it is 34" to 38".

Those are typical in most areas although, I was just at a stair building seminar a little bit ago and the instructor said a couple places on the East coast have lower hieghts on there minnimums.

[M Toupin]

Matt, re-read Richard's post. He didn't recommend making it lower than the min of 36", he said to try and keep it at the minimum so as to not obstruct your view when seated. Personally, I'd seriously consider his advice, he's got just a wee bit of experience with railings...

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69608
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=38504

And my personal favorite
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=26161

Mike

[Matt Ocel]

Matt, re-read Richard's post. He didn't recommend making it lower than the min of 36", he said to try and keep it at the minimum so as to not obstruct your view when seated. Personally, I'd seriously consider his advice, he's got just a wee bit of experience with railings...

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69608
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=38504

And my personal favorite
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=26161

Mike

NO DOUGHT! Richard is way out of my leauge when it comes to trimming out a stairway, But I was answering Dennis' question as far as code compliance.
, and "if" the view is important I would suggest Aluminum or Iron ballusters, or glass panels.

P.S. I'm a framer by trade not a trimmer.

[Dennis Puskar]

This is some very good info thanks to everyone that responded.

Dennis