Using metal conduit for a deck railing?

   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #1  

Dougryan

Bronze Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
91
Location
Webster, NY
Tractor
Cub Cadet 3206
I really want to be able to see through my deck railing. The requirement is that a 4" sphere should not be able to fit through any of the spaces/gaps between balusters. People typicall use the 2"x2" square pressure treated balusters. That's fine, but from an angle, they start to become very disruptive to the view. I'm thinking about using 1/2" electrical metal conduit as balusters. 2x4 top and bottom rails with 1/2" holes drilled part way through to hold the conduit sections. Seems pretty easy. Would the conduit hold up outdoors (this would not be the rigid metal heavy stuff, but the light weight RMC that is less than $2 per 10' piece at lowes and HD).

What do you think?

Thanks,
Doug
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #2  
That should work fine. Here's what I did for horse stalls years ago. Same idea if I'm understanding your question...... Stall 7-12-13 002.jpgStall 7-12-13 001.jpg
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #3  
On an episode of Ask This old House they used thin cables to satisfy the building code with minimal visual impact.
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #4  
We did one with the ss cables. Looked great and took up almost no view.
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #5  
I have used 1/2" copper pipe and 2 x 4 top and bottom for rails.
Drilled 5/8 holes every 4" for spacing and capped top with 1.25 x 5" for look. (and to hold bottles of refreshment.)
Wiping the copper with lacquer thinner cleans all printing.

Within a short time the copper tarnishes and later develops the green patina.
Certain chemicals speeds up the patina process.

Even at high copper prices, pipe was cheaper than box stores rod kits.
My client just loved the look.
Maintenance is nil and view is unobstructed.
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #6  
Or use High tensile Horse/cattle galv wire like I did:
NorthPorchrailing013.jpg


NorthPorchrailing014.jpg


NorthPorchrailing016.jpg
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #7  
Thinwall electrical conduit is plated, and it's rated for exterior wiring. It should hold up well. It also accepts paint well.
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #8  
On an episode of Ask This old House they used thin cables to satisfy the building code with minimal visual impact.

We did one with the ss cables. Looked great and took up almost no view.

Where the cables vertical or horizontal?

Around here, code says NO to horizontal because a kid could climb it like a ladder, in addition to the 4" sphere not passing though, and a 32" (IIRC) minimum height..
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #9  
Where the cables vertical or horizontal?

Around here, code says NO to horizontal because a kid could climb it like a ladder, in addition to the 4" sphere not passing though, and a 32" (IIRC) minimum height..

On the show they were horizontal, but with some planning you could weave a cable up and down and have just one tensioner to tighten the whole system.
 
   / Using metal conduit for a deck railing? #10  
The ones we put up were horizontal. If you try vertical be aware they have a lot of pull in order to not be flexable.
 

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