|
Builders’ Tip: Adding 'No Rot' Deck Rail Support
 |
 |
|
[Click for larger image] | If a deck rail spans more than 5 feet or so, I think it’s important to support the bottom rail using something that won’t rot.
I’ve tried various approaches to this problem. The accompanying drawing illustrates my favorite solution.
Instead of wood, I use short lengths of PVC pipe cut with a chopsaw into little cylinders.
For a 2x bottom rail, I use 1 ¼-inch O. D. (outside diameter) pipe cut into lengths that fit snugly under the rail.
To hold them in place, I run a 7-inch square-drive gutter screw through the bottom rail, through the PVC cylinder, and well into the deck ― burying the screw head. This works particularly well because I use a minimum 3-inch-deep bottom rail.
The PVC cylinders are strong and unobtrusive. They hold paint well. And they won’t deteriorate or wick water into the rail.
— Forrest McCanless, via e-mail
Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
©2005 The Taunton Press
To request a reprint of this feature, e-mail Mary Lou von der Lancken at Fine Homebuilding.
 BuilderBooks.com Offers More Than 250 Books that Help You Build Your Business
BuilderBooks.com is your source for training and education products for the building industry. The official bookstore for NAHB, BuilderBooks.com offers award-winning publications, software, brochures and more available in both English and Spanish. To view these publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
 Subscribe Your Employees to Nation’s Building News — and a Chance to Win Digital Camera
Subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News Online. It’s free, easy and NAHB members who sign up three or more employees will be entered into the "Make Your Business Click" contest to win a digital camera. To learn more or sign up your employees, click here.
|
