Deck guard and stair-rail heights
Level deck guards are 36″ minimum, measured deck-surface to top rail; on stairs the rail follows the nosings 34–38″ above them.
What this diagram shows
A side elevation of a deck edge running into a staircase. On the level deck the guard is at least 36 inches tall, measured from the walking surface up to the top rail. Along the stairs a rail follows the nosings 34 to 38 inches above them. The figure dimensions both heights; baluster and opening spacing (the 4-inch sphere rule) is shown separately in the baluster-spacing figure.
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Free deck railing calculator: posts, balusters, rails, caps, and hold-downs from one length. IRC R312 baluster spacing and post loads. No signup.
