Deck Railings & Stairs in Tacoma, WA

Deck railings and stairs carry more of the safety load on a Tacoma deck than any other part. Many homes here sit on slopes, so decks are often a full story or more above the ground, with long flights of stairs down to the yard. Railings have to hold firm, openings have to be small enough to keep children safe, and stairs have to be comfortable and sure-footed on wet, mossy days. On view lots overlooking Commencement Bay or toward Mount Rainier, the railing also decides how much of the view you keep.

What the code generally requires

Washington cities enforce the state residential code, based on the International Residential Code. Typical requirements, as shown in Washington city deck handouts, include:

• Guards on decks more than 30 inches above grade
• Openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through
• Stair risers no taller than 7-3/4 inches and treads at least 10 inches deep
• Handrails 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing, with a graspable profile
• Headroom of at least 6 feet 8 inches over stairs

Your permit office sets the exact rules; we build to what applies at your address.

Railing materials

• Wood: cedar or treated lumber, least expensive, needs finishing like the deck.
• Composite: matches composite decking, low upkeep.
• Aluminum: slim powder-coated balusters, light and rust-resistant.
• Cable: stainless cables that keep views open; posts must be stiff enough to hold cable tension.
• Glass: the clearest view and a wind break, at the highest price; it needs occasional cleaning in the rain.

Fixr lists installed railings at about $30 to $50 per linear foot for wood, $45 to $85 for metal, $80 to $165 for composite, $115 to $175 for cable and $140 to $210 for glass.

Strong posts are the hard part

A railing is only as strong as the way its posts attach to the deck frame. Notching a 4x4 post and bolting it to the rim is common on older decks and is often the reason a railing wobbles. We attach posts with blocking and hardware designed for guard loads, so the railing stays tight for years.

Stairs that stay safe when wet

In a wet climate, stairs need consistent rise and run, treads that drain, and a surface that is not slick. Stringers rot first at the bottom where they meet the ground, so we land stairs on a concrete pad or footing, not on soil. Long flights on slopes may need an intermediate landing. Stair lighting on riser faces or posts is a simple add that helps on dark winter evenings.

Replacing railings on an older deck

Older decks often have guards that are too low, balusters spaced too far apart, or posts that have rotted at the base. Replacing just the railings is a common project when the deck framing is still sound. We check the posts and rim first, since new railings need solid framing to attach to.