Metal handrails on a wooden deck. Any Ideas?

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We have a 18' x 18' deck on the back of our log home and the handrails are in need of repair.   I am considering building some steel handrails but haven't come up with a good idea of how to attach them to the floor joist.   I am not wanting to attach to the decking boards for the simple fact they will have to be replaced sometime and it also will be hard get my handrail post plumb attaching to the sun drawn flooring.   Any ideas will be considered and appreciated.   Photos are worth 1000 words as well.Lincoln Electric:Ranger GXT 250SA-200LN-25Pro MiG 256Pro Mig 180Esab CV 251Invertec 160Victor Torches”
Reply:Let's see some photos.
Reply:Some stainless lag bolts. There's lots of really nice fancy kinds these days.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Dark out now.   Ill post some tomorrow.Lincoln Electric:Ranger GXT 250SA-200LN-25Pro MiG 256Pro Mig 180Esab CV 251Invertec 160Victor Torches”
Reply:I prefer to mount railings on the outside of decks, to save space and for easier deck replacement.If you have a trim/facia board on the joist tails and if it is heavy enough, you can just put the 2X4 top and bottom backers behind it.If you don't have a trim board, you can put in freeze blocks between the joists where you need them and the backers behind them.Where the rail mounts on the joist sides, I put in a freeze block between the outside joist and the next one for strength and a backer block for the lag bolts. With lags mounting the rail post thru the trim or blocks into the backers and everything nailed tight, it should be fast to install and sturdy.Most times I put a mounting plate on the post with 4 holes for lags, but I have just gone thru the posts too.I hope the diagram makes the description clearer.
Reply:Originally Posted by ezduzitLet's see some photos.
Reply:That looks good. But through-bolting with oversize washers, if possible, would add a degree of safety. Water will eventually find its way down the length of the lag bolt. Once the surrounding wood starts to deteriorate, very little pressure will draw it out.
Reply:Picture might be worth a thousand words....  In Most wooden or Composite Deck/Patio cases I use a simple treated 4"X4" cut to 48" (Depending on the facier board).  And run 2, 4" Lag Bolts to hold the Post on the deck then I weld "Tabs" (Decreative mounting Brackets" on the ends of the Rails and use a 2"X5/16" Lag bolt on the 4 corners of the rail.  On a Long Span a "S" to pull the rail plumb out or in...Pics will help.(That Decreative "S") How I mount most my railings into a Deck... (Those are Treated 4X4's with a PVC Sleave over them.This Job was not finished with Painting or the Caps for the Post(s), The Homeowner assumed all responsibility for that. Im currently doing a few Guard and Hand Rails for the interior of a House,  were going Classic with Dark Stained Top Rails and Flat Black Balusters.  I've also used Natural Cedar Post and incorporated Oak, Walnut, Popular... into the rails.  You have a Log Cabin so if done right they will look beautiful!Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Originally Posted by Tool JunkieI prefer to mount railings on the outside of decks, to save space and for easier deck replacement.If you have a trim/facia board on the joist tails and if it is heavy enough, you can just put the 2X4 top and bottom backers behind it.If you don't have a trim board, you can put in freeze blocks between the joists where you need them and the backers behind them.Where the rail mounts on the joist sides, I put in a freeze block between the outside joist and the next one for strength and a backer block for the lag bolts. With lags mounting the rail post thru the trim or blocks into the backers and everything nailed tight, it should be fast to install and sturdy.Most times I put a mounting plate on the post with 4 holes for lags, but I have just gone thru the posts too.I hope the diagram makes the description clearer.
Reply:[QUOTE=DieselDon16;3956241]Picture might be worth a thousand words....  In Most wooden or Composite Deck/Patio cases I use a simple treated 4"X4" cut to 48" (Depending on the facier board).  And run 2, 4" Lag Bolts to hold the Post on the deck then I weld "Tabs" (Decreative mounting Brackets" on the ends of the Rails and use a 2"X5/16" Lag bolt on the 4 corners of the rail.  On a Long Span a "S" to pull the rail plumb out or in...Pics will help.(That Decreative "S") How I mount most my railings into a Deck... (Those are Treated 4X4's with a PVC Sleave over them.This Job was not finished with Painting or the Caps for the Post(s), The Homeowner assumed all responsibility for that. Im currently doing a few Guard and Hand Rails for the interior of a House,  were going Classic with Dark Stained Top Rails and Flat Black Balusters.  I've also used Natural Cedar Post and incorporated Oak, Walnut, Popular... into the rails.  You have a Log Cabin so if done right they will look beautiful![/QUOTEVery Nice!   You have my wheels turning.Lincoln Electric:Ranger GXT 250SA-200LN-25Pro MiG 256Pro Mig 180Esab CV 251Invertec 160Victor Torches”
Reply:Don--love the white one!
Reply:Originally Posted by ezduzitDon--love the white one!
Reply:This is the deck on back of my house in need of some handrail replacement.I would like to re-attach this little clothes line per orders from the wife.I'm a plain kinda guy and was thinking about 3x3x1/8 tubing post, 2 1/2x1x1/8 tubing handrail, 3/4x3/4x1/8 tubing pickets, 2"x1"x1/8" toe board.   Think I can attach them like I did the clothes line some time ago?Would like to remove the steps and replace with a metal spiral.  Got any sketches?Lincoln Electric:Ranger GXT 250SA-200LN-25Pro MiG 256Pro Mig 180Esab CV 251Invertec 160Victor Torches”
Reply:I may be too late but heres those Pics of the Interior rails I was previously referring to awhile back.......Few Pics from that job I completed.  Interior rails,  3 stair rails and 1 guard rail.I also did the downstairs rails (same style) but I didn't get Pics yet.  One rail had some real funky Angles and Geometry in it......Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Man could we have fun at your house!!!!I'm serious, great project, fun fun.I'm no fan of spiral staircases but if that is what you want kits are available and they don't cost much.  UPS delivery if I remember right and it's a weld by number kit anyone can do.It's the handrails that I find so intriguing.  There's a lot of potential for real fun there.life is good
Reply:Originally Posted by wroughtn_harvMan could we have fun at your house!!!!I'm serious, great project, fun fun.I'm no fan of spiral staircases but if that is what you want kits are available and they don't cost much.  UPS delivery if I remember right and it's a weld by number kit anyone can do.It's the handrails that I find so intriguing.  There's a lot of potential for real fun there.