Balcony Railing Height / Porch Railing Height Building Code Vs Curb Appeal / Guidelines for building guardrails on balconies, decks, landings, stair landings:
Balcony Railing Height / Porch Railing Height Building Code Vs Curb Appeal / Guidelines for building guardrails on balconies, decks, landings, stair landings:. This applies to the broad majority of the united states for all residential decks. A balcony railing height extension can be used to meet the ibc and effectively child proof a balcony railing. The height of the railing is also specified by city building code. The department of buildings' minimum code required height for balcony railings is 42 (2), with an allowance of 1. Install railings on any deck that is 30 inches or more from the surrounding surface and on at least one side of a stairway leading to the deck.
Residential properties typically require a railing of 36 inches, while commercial properties should have railings between 42 and 48 inches. Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. That may mean that your original porch railing is only 24 inches high above the porch floor (a common height). Additionally, the stair railing height should measure at least 34 from the nosing to the top rail. The international residential code requires balcony railings to be 36 inches high for homes.