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When the average homeowner begins building their patio, railings for decks usually aren't at the top of the list for important considerations. Perhaps, however, they should be. While determining how high they should be isn't the most glamorous or exciting aspect of a construction project like this, few things are more important from a practical standpoint. It isn't something you should wait to plan out. For best results, this -- along with every other aspect of your project -- should be planned out before you hammer in the first nail. Here are some things to think about before you decide. Building Codes If you think building codes only apply to apartments in the city, think again. For a variety of reasons -- safety, zoning laws, etc. -- the county is intensely interested in what you're building in the backyard. While enforcement codes will play a role in determining almost every aspect of your project, they will especially come into play with your rail heights. Railings for decks must be a certain height before an inspector will sign off on them. You can certainly go ahead and build them outside of code regulations, but you're taking a big risk. Height If this is starting to seem tautological, it's not the height of railings for decks this is referring to, but the height of the platform itself. Yes, this can play a role in determining how high your rail should be. For instance, if you have a patio of the sort that is completely at ground level, you may not need to worry about building a rail system at all. Some still prefer to do so for aesthetic purposes, but it would be unusual. If you have something raised more than a few feet off the ground, however, you'll definitely need to begin considering a safety precaution. Comfort Don't forget to take comfort into consideration when designing your railings for decks. After all, people like lean on these when relaxing, hold on to them when walking along the patio, and look over them to see the view. Build them too high and you're going to remove these possibilities for yourself and your family. Build them too low and you will remove at least two of the three. It's important to find a comfortable balance, some of which will be determined by the average height of your family. Most experts recommend building to a medium height of approximately four feet, which will incidentally put you comfortably within most building codes as well. Railings for decks are arguably one of the most important aesthetic and structural components of patios and porches everywhere. Check out the array of top of the line options at: http://www.latitudesdeck.com.
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