Deck Railings & Stairs in Salt Lake City, UT

Deck railings and stairs are where most deck safety problems show up. A guard has to stop someone from falling off the edge, a handrail has to be easy to grab, and stairs have to stay solid in snow and ice. In Salt Lake City, where many homes sit on sloped bench lots, decks are often high enough that both guards and long stair runs are required. We build new railings and stairs, and replace old ones that are loose, too low or too open.

What the code generally asks for

Under the International Residential Code, which Utah adopts with amendments, guards are required where a walking surface is more than 30 inches above the grade below. Guards are generally at least 36 inches tall, and openings must be small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through. Stair handrails are generally set between 34 and 38 inches above the tread noses. Many older decks in the valley predate these rules, with wide baluster gaps or short rails. Local amendments can change details, so we build to what Salt Lake City enforces at the time of the permit.

Railing materials

• Wood: the lowest cost, matches a wood deck, needs staining.
• Composite and vinyl: low upkeep, matches composite decks.
• Aluminum: slim, powder-coated, does not rust and needs little care.
• Cable: stainless steel cables that keep the view open, popular on bench homes facing the valley or mountains.
• Glass: the most open view and the highest cost.

Posts are the critical part of any railing. A railing is only as strong as the connection of its posts to the deck frame, so we block and bolt posts to the framing rather than relying on a few screws.

Stairs on sloped lots

A deck off the main floor of a house with a walkout basement can need a long run of stairs. Long runs often call for an intermediate landing, which also makes the climb easier. Stair stringers need solid support at both ends: attached properly to the deck at the top and bearing on a footing or pad at the bottom. In Salt Lake City, a pad that sits on shallow soil can heave in a freeze, so we design the base so the bottom step does not shift. Treads with good grip and a slight slope for drainage help in snow.

Lighting and ice

Short winter days mean many people use their stairs after dark. Low-voltage stair and post lights make steps easier to see, and we can run wiring while the railing is going in. Covering a stair or placing it out of the drip line of the roof also reduces ice buildup.

Upgrading an older deck

New railings are one of the most effective upgrades for an older deck, both for safety and for looks. If the deck frame is sound, we can replace railings and stairs without rebuilding the rest. If the framing near the posts is worn, we fix that first so the new guards are properly anchored.