Advice on porch rails

[BoFuller]

I am starting on my guard rail and thinking about using 1/2 inch rebar for my balusters. you all think 1/2 inch is strong enough?

 

[dstig1]

I had a neighbor use 1/2" copper pipe for balusters, and that worked fine. Just regular plumbing pipe, probably type M even. Rebar should be significantly stronger.

 

[Fairfax]

I used rebar and old barn wood and it worked fine and is very solid. I just used black hammered rustoleum spray paint on the rebar. Although this is indoors.

 

[sodamo]

Very nice, Will.

If I did that here, outside, I’d have to be very attentive to the painting process as rebar rusts very quickly.

 

[spitter]

There is an epoxy coated rebar that they use in bridge const. probally best for outdoor use. 1\\2" fine.:drink:

 

[BoFuller]

I used rebar and old barn wood and it worked fine and is very solid. I just used black hammered rustoleum spray paint on the rebar. Although this is indoors.

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That is what I am talking about! Love it.

 

[EddieWalker]

I am starting on my guard rail and thinking about using 1/2 inch rebar for my balusters. you all think 1/2 inch is strong enough?

Yes, but how are you going to attach them? I've done half in powder coated aluminum pipes and it was a huge pain to get it all together.

I saw a railing out of one inch rebar and that really impressed me.

 

[BoFuller]

Yes, but how are you going to attach them? I've done half in powder coated aluminum pipes and it was a huge pain to get it all together.

I saw a railing out of one inch rebar and that really impressed me.

See the AZ Ranch thread for continuation of my railing.

 

[rickyb01]

Well, the tile on my deck, having been through I think 3 Wisconsin winters now would disagree with you. I did my best to pitch the decks so water would not pool, used a very sturdy substrate of 2 layers of 3/4" treated ply and 3/8" backerboard, plus waterproofing. Of course the tile needs to be rated for freeze-thaw conditions but that is not hard to find with modern porcelain tiles.

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As for railings, you can go with just metal and make it very sturdy. Here is the railings I later completed for that deck. The cap rail is 6"x 1/4" and it is rock solid. Longest span is about 8'. The frames are 1.5" x 1/8" angle. Toe kicks are 14 ga with a 90 deg bend for a leg to sit on the tile. All 304 SS. Eventually this will get screened in.

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Did you hire out the plasma cut or do you have one yourself? I really like the way you can see thru this, would love the have something like this.

 

[EddieWalker]

For more options and ideas on using metal for your railing, check out King Metals. They are super fast and easy to deal with, and in my opinion, their prices are very reasonable.

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