How far apart can deck railing posts be?

6 feet
Spacing of Deck Posts The two most common sizes used for deck posts are 4×4 and 6×6. When using 4×4 posts, place them no more than 6 feet apart, and when using 6×6 posts, no more than 8 feet apart. The reason for these standards is that the railing system won’t have proper support if the posts are too far apart.

What is the maximum distance between deck posts?

Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.

How long can a handrail be between posts?

The structural integrity of the railing depends heavily on the posts that support the rail structure. These posts should be no farther apart than six feet on the flat deck and no farther apart than 5 1/2 feet on stairs.

How is post spacing calculated in railings?

Measure the length of the space between the end supports of the balustrade. For this example, assume it’s 13 feet 5 ½ inches, or 161 ½ inches. Divide that length by four to determine the number of spaces you will need while having a minimum of 4 inches distance between balusters.

How many posts do I need for a 12×16 deck?

The Deck Floor As a guide, if you choose to use 20-foot boards, you will need to purchase 22 of these boards. Similarly, 18-foot boards will require 24 boards, 16-foot boards will require 27 boards, 14-foot boards will require 31 boards, 12-foot boards will require 37 boards and 10-foot boards will require 44 boards.

How many posts do I need for a 12×20 deck?

Quick Attached Deck Footing Chart

Size of Deck Beam Size Number of Footings
12′ x 12′ (2) 2×6 3
16′ x 16′ (3) 2×8 3
20′ x 12′ (2) 2×8 3
20′ x 14′ (2) 2×8 3

Where should deck railing posts be placed?

Planning Post Placement You’ll want one deck railing post in each corner if you’re attaching the posts to the inside of the frame, or two on each corner if you’re installing them on the outside. The rest should be spaced as evenly as possible, but don’t space them any further than 6 feet apart.

How many posts should my deck have?

Any deck that is 8-by-12 or larger will need a post installed at each of the corners. A line post needs to be placed between each pair of corner posts.