Your selection of a deck railing design is one of the most essential aspects of the overall design of your deck. The type of railing that you choose will have a significant impact on the aesthetic value of your deck, regardless of whether. You are standing on the deck and looking out into the yard or if you are standing in the backyard. Looking up at the deck. Consider incorporating some sunburst deck railing into the design of your railing to offer some visual appeal. Prevent it from becoming monotonous (also called starburst deck railing).
Let’s be honest. Even though it is a functional and effective design, a basic 2×2 deck railing is quite monotonous, and this is especially true on longer stretches of decking. Your deck design will have a more modern look and feel if you choose a sunburst deck railing design for its railing. It will be a little bit more expensive than the typical vertical 2×2 baluster railing, but it won’t be that much more. You will still be using 2×2 balusters; however, the labor expenses will be greater simply. Because of the increased amount of time required to cut and install the sunburst-style balusters. Depending on the specifics of how you choose to build and install your railing, there is a possibility that you will incur slightly greater prices for the materials.
It is not require to install a sunburst deck railing design around the entire perimeter of your deck. In point of fact, if you are not careful, it is really simple to go too far with the design. My proposal is that the sunburst railing pattern should be broken up into sections, with each area being separated from the next by a length of normal vertical railing. Make the sunburst parts more of an accent rather than the primary focus of the design. As a consequence, there ought to be expanded spheres of interest.
A deck that has an excessive amount of sunburst becomes unnecessarily “busy,” which makes the deck look worse rather than better. As a general rule, I propose that the various sections of sunburst designs should have a width that falls anywhere between four and six feet. You counter that by saying that the distance between each of your posts is eight or ten feet. No issue. You will just need to add more vertical 2x4s, evenly spaced from your existing posts, in order to minimize the span to no more than six feet. Then install vertical balusters made of normal 2×2 lumber in a vertical orientation between the posts and the 2×4’s. Your sunburst design should go in the space in between the 2x4s that has been left empty.
In addition, having a sunburst design in between each and every set of posts is not required, but you are free to include one if you want to. It depends much on the dimensions of your deck, particularly the length of the sides that you wish to embellish with sunburst parts. Just make sure you don’t go too far with it.
Can I Do This Myself?
If you have adequate carpentry abilities, the proper equipment, and some time, you can complete this job yourself. There is nothing difficult about the labor, but it must be organize carefully. Remember to maintain a spread of less than six feet for the sunburst part. Before beginning, draw this out on paper. Determine the distance between your deck’s posts. If they are identical, your work is simplified. If not, the spans of the sunburst sections must correspond with the distance between the posts. I will briefly describe the installation method for the sunburst deck railing, assuming you are already familiar with installing a normal 2×2 railing design.
If you do not, there are alternative sites where you can master this fundamental skill. Assume, for the purposes of this discussion, that you have eight-foot spans between 6×6 posts. That you will place five-foot sunburst portions in the center of some of those sections.
Install the upper and lower horizontal rails between the posts first. You will need them there in order to secure the balusters to something. Place two vertical 2×4 balusters 18 inches within the posts so that the center span can be reduced to five feet. Locate the middle and install the first baluster there.
Work outwards from the central baluster by setting the bottoms of each baluster against the bottom of the previous baluster and fanning out the tops. Allowing no more than four inches of space at the top. Maximum spacing requirements remain at four inches per the code. Continue this method until there is no remaining area larger than four inches. As you expand, each baluster will grow in length. Frequently, pre-cut balusters are not long enough for lengthier pieces, so you will likely need to purchase and cut eight-foot stack sections. Install a second top and bottom rail to conceal the ends of the balusters, and you finish.
If you like a tighter pattern at the base of your sunburst section. You can cut each baluster at an angle so that they fit more closely together. You must trim each baluster’s end at an angle where it joins the vertical post (or 2×4 if you used one to reduce the span). The bases and majority of the tops of the balusters will be concealed by sandwiching them between two 2x4s.
If you choose a tighter pattern at the bottom of your sunburst railing. You may need to incorporate a half-round piece in the bottom center to conceal the angle cuts. Cut a half-round or elliptical shape of sufficient size to cover the angle cuts that reach beyond the top of the bottom 2×4 rail.
You may want to apply this even if there are no cuts to conceal because it adds a little of flair. Sunburst deck railing can bring a touch of elegance and style to your deck. Utilize it to transform an ordinary railing system into a work of art. Whether you install it yourself or hire a professional, your deck design will serve as the centerpiece of your backyard.
