Some of us are challenged with visual O.C.D., so this is the time to create a deck railing for privacy to hide what drives us nuts all the time! This deck has the classic railing revealing all of the uglies beyond the deck. Then let’s do a remodel of the railing. The trigger is having to remove a second set of stairs on a 12’x12′ deck that only needs one set. This was a remodel a prior owner did for what reason I have no idea. My fear is a person sitting at the table could fall backwards with no railing to stop them. So it’s time to commit and put a railing there and change it up.
After a few days of pondering, I decide the new railing will be cedar fencing. Being tight with our money is a natural theme, which works with 6′ fencing cut in half of the length. The space between the railing and the deck just happens to be 36″. There is nothing to attach to boards to. This is a good example of Murphey’s Law! This is easy an easy fix with just another 2″x4″ under the one that is already here. The non existent top railing, where the stairs are removed, just needs another 2″x6″x6′ on top and the extra 2″x4″ is the full 12′ length, which also functions to stabilize the whole side.
There is also another problem seeing a space between the deck and fence that has no purpose except to read the gas meter, along with get to some gardening storage bins. When we sit at our new gazebo this space is irritating with the two cable posts right in the middle. We can’t put in plants with all of the major cables and gas line running through the area. The solution is to hire a great contractor we know and build a gate.
Preparation is Easy
The best Birthday gift is one we buy for ourself. After years of irritation I get a battery operating drill. Love It! The prep is so easy, just know how to reverse the drill! The old railing comes off easy and I recruit my husband to remove the stairs. From this phase I pull out my chop saw and cut so some 45 degree angles for the corner where the stairs resided. I predrill the holes for the new boards as I go. The top rail is first and then the 2″x4″s go on.
This project is even easier because the outside where the cedar boards attach is not visible. I put them on unevenly from top to bottom when needed to avoid knots and any small cracks. Well, I must have spent half an hour just picking the boards out to begin with at the box store. I use a small level for the vertical and a great spacer-the large wood stir stick I get with my paint supplies.
Easy-Peasy
A new drill bit starts the process and we’re off and running. This phase took less than 3 hours, and I get what I love with home improvement projects, instant satisfaction. The privacy deck railing is now basically a deck fence with nice size spaces between the boards. Every now and then I step back and see what ‘ugly’ just got blocked from view. Right away I decide I will finish the cedar with a clear exterior urethane.
With all of the railing boards I remove, I pick out some of the best and set them aside. I use these for the corners and sides of the remaining stairs to finish off the look. This is not a plan, just one of those remodel decisions that happen as we go. There are only two boards I have to cut with my jig saw to change the width. Amazing luck! I am not a fan of using saws at all, if I can avoid them. We only have three; a ten inch chop saw, skill saw and jig saw. If I ever replace the chop saw it will be a 12″; big mistake with the smaller size!
We love the final finish with the original railing existing that faces the new gazebo. Now the deck railing gives privacy and is openly tied to the gazebo, plus the gazebo is solid cedar with a clear coat! Next summer I will prep and stain the deck itself, the railings and the steps. I think a lighter color is in order to contrast our dark brown fence and the dark roof on the gazebo. Here’s another reason to look forward to summer after a cold winter in Wyoming. At this time of writing tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Another exciting time when we have grandchildren!
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