In process of replacing my rotten cedar post deck railing. [View all]

Last edited Mon Oct 21, 2024, 09:00 PM - Edit history (4)

Thing about cedar, you need to paint it just about every year if it's exposed directly to the weather. It went 10 years without maintenance...thus replacement.

So, the current state of before pics, side 1 and side 2.

Side (2) before



Side (1) before



Side (1) after



My 55+ year buddy came up Friday and we got the railing done on Saturday. He's on DU as 'birdfeeder". Hates Trump. Needless to say, we didn't spend a lot of time talking about the project. We just put it together. Everything was pre-cut/pre-drilled to create the 33" x 8' PT boxes. (some scarfing was required). There are 6 - 1/2" x 8' lengths of horizontal rebar that meet 4" code per section. A 2x4 stiffener mid point. All holes drilled from the same template. Hand drilled the 5/8" holes...not nearly square, Yet the rebar was easy to put in. A Maul type persuader helps, As they rust, they will blend into the house stain. Actually, it is pretty hard to see now that there a 6 bars per section.

Working on side 2 now....weather has been great and I find joy in building stuff.

On edit, the boxes will be painted green to match the trim. Then I'll put a 5/4 x 8"w PT plate on the entire rail system. Something that can hold a beer. 1'll be buying 10 LED lights to fit the 4x4 posts to give lighting around the entire deck.

PT Wood, rebar and expendable tools - around $800.00 to complete both side 1 and 2. Had to be done.

Simple design, because I am a 50 year long simple construction guy. Will share plans if anyone is interested.

On yet another edit....

Semi-pro tip: I precut and painted 40 - 4" blocks. They were spacers to set the height consistently for each box.