How to Install Deck Guardrail Posts | Trex Academy

How to do the post right next to the house. Screws in just the two directions or also into the ledger board.

I’m seeing no joist hangers to deal with. They’re required here in Maine even on the rim joist. Still this is great information, I’ll be treating my post installation as if they are side joists.

Been building decks for over 50 years and this makes no sense, plus it means more cutting of the decking . There is a much simpler and faster way.

Seriously!!

What would the blocking / support look like for the post in the corner off the ledger there with the hangers. Do you treat it like a mid band joist post? In which case do you need to put a 2xN block between it and the hangers/ledger (while maintaining the < 4” gap between the post and house wall)?

Those simpson anchors might fail inspection, you need a tension tie on the top of two galv or ss 1/2" thru bolts from rim/band through guard post to adjacent blocking + joist. Especially over 30" deck height.

Excellent presentation for installation of deck rail posts including how to handle out of plumb posts and using temporary boards to hold post and blocking. Sigh. This gets a fair bit harder to do when the deck is already down and you are replacing half cut outside fascia mounted posts with full inside posts.

How tall should the post be from the deck floor up?

Is it best to use ground contact pressure treated lumber for the framework?or just pressure treated?

It's not necessary to predrill for the 8" screws and impossible to do it level between the joists. It's also important to ensure that the 4x4 blocking is flush with top of the joist if you plan on picture framing.

I get the idea of back blocking, to increase the surface area of contact with the post. However over time we all expect that post to shrink, and as it does the secure clamping force disappears. In the past all one had to do was retighten the back nuts on the mounting carriage bolts, but in this case the back blocks are themselves screwed into joists. So to retighten the post connection you'd have to remove those mounting screws to the backblocks before retightening. Why do you even need to fix backblocks with screws into the joists? Aren't they simply acting as a big washer, to increase the surface area of the connection?

What do you think about the rigidity of surface mount aluminum railing, with no 4X4 posts? If well secured below, do they hold up as well over time?

Lmao...talk about overkill...what do you have a herd of Rhinos running around on that deck? You need how many screws to secure the post???

That’s $50 in screws per post. What a tool!

Jeez what town and what country . I find that if you make a simple box using the frame material one piece each side for corners and 2 to 3 on the straits. Use the 4in GRK screws about 3 to 4 work. They have great holding power. Most railings need to be strong enough to hold a 250lb person if they fall against it. 8in screws are little excessive and will most likely go the materials and loose holding power.

Why wasnt your band board doubled?

The deck posts will rot before the railing post

descent info, but way too much effort spent with the "temp supports/marker blocks" wasting time and money. Mark it, plumb it attach it.

Any idea why not use std. Practise of lag bolts instead of timber screws? Also much stronger.

since when has a balustrade been called a guardrail ?

If you need a nailer board where he is using the 4x4, do not use the 4x4 like this! You deck board screws will not bite into the end cut of the 4x4!!!

How do you determine where your intermediate posts are to go?

Excellent! The only thing I'd do differently is turn your clamps around so you don't run your leg, (or something else) into them... LOL. You might also mention that different configurations may require you to double your rim joists as well.

Question: The inside dimension of the sleeve is 95 mm ( rib to rib) and the 4x4 post size is 89 mm (3 1/2” x 3 1/2”). Once you insert the sleeve on to the post, there is a gap of 3 mm [(95 - 89)/2 = 3] all around between the sleeve and the treated wood post. When you attach the RSB to the post, the sleeve has to compress that 3 mm in order to touch the post (from both sides, if brackets are attached on both sides of the post). In my opinion compressing composite sleeve by a total of 6 mm (3 mm on each side) is not good. Don’t you have to put 3 mm shims between the sleeve and the post before you attach the RSB to the post?

very good information and very clear illustration. will follow it. thank you very much.

I used this method and the posts are far more secure than I expected. Fantastic video.

I get a kick out of this obsession with "center to center". it makes it easier to line up the next one by corner without having to trying to find the "center" of the next post... But I will say these videos are pretty well done.

Devon sounded like he had dip in his lip in this video. Good video though

This video is exactly what i was searching for. thanks so much!

Thanks for the video , how is the best solution for installing railings ,if you have bracket in the corner, because it is obstacles for the post .. thank you

How are you connecting the corner post near the house with the gap?

I learned a lot from your video! Thank you 😊

you are soooo annoying.

12 8" timber screws per post...what!?

I am at the point of installing railing and this is by far the best video I have seen on the subject. Thank you!

When you did the corner post with the blocking, do you think I can use this method to build the post for pergola? My deck is already built and was thinking how to attached 6x6 post to my deck. I don’t want to dig into the ground, i woukd rather attach it to my deck joist if possible. Thanks

Excellent instructions, very clear and easy to follow. Thank you.

Thanks for the video. What size bit are you using to predrill for those 8" timber locks.? Thanks

If 2x10s are being used for the joists and rim band, are these same screws ok to use at 2 per joist and band connection? Thanks

Hello, how much was the total cost of this job including materials and labor?

I've watched a lot of deck construction videos. This is, without question, the best guide for rail post installation. Looking forward to installing my new Trex composite deck!

What is the length of the 4x4 posts

What did you use to seal up the ends of the 2x blocking?

Best video I've seen. But one question.. I'm not sure why 4x4 blocking was not used on the 2nd post (intermediate) post but was required on the next 3 posts (the ones at 52 7/8 on center). Help?
Thanks.

The 8 inch screws going through the double blocking behind the corner post make no sense....wouldn't those larger screws, placed so close together weaken the blocking???

over build will cause premature failure

I have to install railing posts on the inside or outside of a beam-if I go with flush joists. I assume posts would be installed on the outside otherwise wouldn't the posts be inset too far inward on the inside of double 2x12 beams?

One heck of a fastener commercial. I'm thinking the fastners would cost as much if not more than the lumber. Was all that really needed or was it just a clever way to sell multiple sizes of screws? What good are the 8" screws with 2 inches of thread on the corner? Doesn't hurt to over build but this was over kill on the fastener sales. Pretty entertaining though.

Can you please explain how the corner post at the ledger board was attached? I've seen diagrams from Simpson, but they don't address this scenario. Thank for for the excellent videos!