Deck Railing Height Advice

Deck with railing and canvas cover
  • 1-10 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 0-1,000

The deck railing height is one of the most important considerations in deck construction. It is a decision that comes early in the design and planning phase of your deck. The following are some considerations to keep in mind as you design your deck.

1. Code

Always check your local building codes for any requirements pertaining to your wood deck railing height. They’re the first potential obstacle to a successful job, so they should be your first reference check. All of the remaining considerations hinge on what the building code requires.

2. Deck Height

furnished deck surrounded by natural landscape

One of the major influences on the height of your railing is the height of the deck itself. Where a deck four feet or more off the ground should have a railing at a comfortable height, a ground level deck may not need a railing at all.

3. Comfortable Height

After the considerations of building codes and the deck height, you need to build your deck railing at a height that is comfortable not only for you and your family but for a family of average stature. A railing height of four feet is a good rule of thumb.

Establishing an adequate height for your deck’s railing is a critical part of planning because at its core, a deck’s railing is a safety device protecting you and your children from injury.