Best Way To Attach 4x4 Post To Deck

I have always been on the lookout for a better way to make a more secure rail post connection at the bottom of a set of deck stairs.

Best way to attach 4x4 post to deck.

When homeowners and diyers build a deck they often fail to attach the railing posts to the deck framing securely. With the right post anchors or hardware you can get some impressive aesthetic results and greatly reduce the potential for rot. A secure method of attaching railing posts to a deck is to notch the post at the bottom so it fit snugly in the space between the two outer floor joists. Over the years i have tried the old ways of mounting the post on the outside of the stringer and adding a couple of bolts a technique that never worked and especially won t work today because of the way that building codes have changed.

Don t lag bolt a deck railing post to the outer band board that s nailed to the ends of the floor joists. Tip a post next to the house where the railing runs into the house some decks use a 2x4 attached to the house s siding rather than a 4x4 post. It s easy to connect deck railing posts to the floor joists of the deck. However this creates a place for moisture to collect so most builders install a 4x4 post a few inches away from the house as shown here.

Deck railing posts are the foundation of a deck railing system. They must be strong. To help prevent rotting this deck will have wooden posts attached to concrete footers above ground. Tap carriage bolts all the way through.

Deck posts must now. Clamp the post so it is plumb in both directions. Remember to follow local code for deck posts. There are several methods for setting posts.

One way is to pour concrete in the post hole set the post on the concrete and backfill with gravel. The idea of quickly installing a post where you want on either a wood framed deck concrete or even stone surface is appealing. Tip using bolts with fascia. Under the deck slip on a washer and tighten a nut for each bolt.

Today s options for attaching posts to deck surfaces. Drill into the existing holes and through the joist. We have replaced many deck boards 2x6 pt and want to replace the railing using 4x4 rail posts. Watch this video to find out more.

The previous 4x4 deck rail posts were notched and attached with nails on the outside of the deck.