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deck railing safety
DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised
ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? Stephanie |
Stephanie wrote:
DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? I think no way in heck would I have deck rails that form a ladder... ;-) Best wishes, Ericka |
Stephanie wrote:
DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? They'd have to be so close a toddler toe wouldn't fit through or they'll climb up and tumble over head first. I think I'd go verticle. ;-) -- Nikki |
"Nikki" wrote in message ... Stephanie wrote: DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? They'd have to be so close a toddler toe wouldn't fit through or they'll climb up and tumble over head first. I think I'd go verticle. ;-) -- Nikki I had not even thought of using it as a ladfder! Thanks both. |
In my city, horizontal railing and bullwire railing is against code for the
very reason that it forms a ladder. International residential Code says, vertical railing with no part of the railing that a 4" sphere can pass through. Not saying you have to follow code, but it is a huge safety hazard. jojo "Stephanie" wrote in message ... DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? Stephanie |
Stephanie wrote: DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? Stephanie No, I wouldn't go horizontal for the "ladder" reason pointed out by others. Can you save $ by using vertical rails that are wider? Wider ones probably cost more per rail, but you wouldn't need as many of them. |
I don't think horizontal rails can possibly be safe with kids. It's
easier to climb mainly. There is a standard spacing between spindles, I assume that the same spacing would apply to horizontal rails, but I hope your husband decides to go vertical so that both your children and their friends can be safer on your patio... KR |
"Stephanie" wrote in message ... DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? Stephanie I feel like a bit of a dope for completely failing to see the ladder aspect. But I did have some nagging doubts that there was something that I had not thought of since not one single picture in our many deck books included horizontal rails, except one that also had a bench which I had immediately discarded as unsafe. So you guys supplied the missing piece for me. No horizontal rails, just got the email from DH. |
I feel like a bit of a dope for completely failing to see the ladder aspect. But I did have some nagging doubts that there was something that I had not thought of since not one single picture in our many deck books included horizontal rails, except one that also had a bench which I had immediately discarded as unsafe. So you guys supplied the missing piece for me. No horizontal rails, just got the email from DH. Good choice! Good luck with it... jojo |
maybe plexiglas or screening instead of mesh?
"Dave {Reply Address in.sig}" wrote in message ... In message , Stephanie wrote: DH is building us a new deck out the back of our house. We live in a raised ranch on a hill. So the deck is about 8' off the ground. To save money, DH wants to use horizontal rails. What spacing would be safe to ensure little toddleheads have no risk of getting through? While nothing supplants supervision, I would rather be safe. *My* reaction to the horizontal railing was that the spacing would be so small as to eliminate the cost benefit to going horizonatal, and would be terribly ugly. What do you all think? How about vertical rails and then use wire mesh attached to the fence for a year or two to further discourage small people from squeezing through? -- Dave mail da (without the space) http://www.llondel.org/ So many gadgets, so little time... |
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