by: Andrew Caxton
The code on deck railings in urban areas was designed to protect homeowners, home purchasers, and visitors to homes from harm. Some examples of general codes on deck railings are the distance from the ground dictating the presence of a railing, the distance between balusters, and the height of the railing.
An example of a code on deck railing is Loudoun County, Virginia. Any structure built in the county must comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which is accessible for free on the internet. In addition to offering deck regulations, this code spells out the rules for all aspects of building including structural requirements, mechanical issues, plumbing topics, and fire codes. This helps you obey the laws of Virginia. The Department of Building and Development reviews the plans and permits submitted to ensure they comply with the code.
There are many different ideas about the code on railing in various parts of the country
In addition to checking with the building code, it is important to check both zoning requirements for your area and health department requirements before building. You must also apply for and obtain a permit before building your deck. The code on deck railing in this area specifies that decks may only be a single level and only for residential use. Joist overhangs cannot be more than two feet. Additionally, decks may not have screened porches, roofs, hot tubs, or gazebos. Moreover, decks cannot be detached from the house.
The code on deck railing can be harmful at times. For example, some people don't like the railing on the deck too high because of the obscured view. In most areas, the railing cannot be folded down in any way. This leaves the homeowner with a real problem. The code is essentially the law. Going against the code is breaking the law. It means all sorts of consequences including things like court appearances and fines. However, if the homeowner still has a real problem with the code, they must find a way around it. One way around the issue with high deck railing is to go with a cable railing system. While you are still required to have a top rail with this system, the cables disappear from just a few feet away, so the view remains unobscured. The code on deck railing is essential for safety, but can sometimes be a problem for homeowners.
About The Author
Andrew Caxton contributes adding articles to http://www.deck-porch-railings.com. Andrew publishes designs and ideas for succesful deck railing plans. You can reach more articles of Andrew on deck railings at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com/deck-railings.html.
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