Complete Guide: Can You Use a 1x2 for Deck Railing?

One of the coolest things about building your own deck is that you have a lot of freedom in how you go about creating this space.

We’re not just talking about the deck itself, either. We are talking about the deck railing – and while you could (some places) use 1 x 2 material for a deck railing, you’re probably going to want to use something a little beefier if you’re serious about safety and stability.

Sure, 1 x 2 material is perfect when you want to finish off a deck railing – running a bead of this material along the top to give a finished edge – but as far as balusters are concerned, most find 1 x 2 materials to be a little too “lightweight” for the project.

Here’s how to make sure you get this right!

Can You Use a 1×2 for Deck Railing?

There are a lot of really simple and straightforward ways to knock out a deck railing project, but the easiest by far is to use a simple 2 x 2 “picket” system.

The idea here is to build a solid frame that runs between each one of your individual deck railing posts (usually connected down to your deck framing through the deck boards themselves), later attaching 2 x 2 balusters – evenly spaced – to fill in the empty gaps.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s incredibly effective.

Best of all, it’s a whole lot stronger than if you had gone with thinner 1 x 2 material. We’re not just talking about a little bit stronger, either. We are talking about significantly beefier stuff here.

You see, the problem with 1 x 2 materials is that they are so thin and so flimsy.

It doesn’t take anything more than a really stiff wind or a gentle (and often accidental) impact to bust or break these balusters, even if they have otherwise been supported by the deck railing frame system itself.

With 2 x 2s, though, you are doubling the material on one axis and it makes a world of difference.

The end result is a deck railing system that is much stronger, much more reliable, and much safer. The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your deck railing is going to keep someone safe if they fall against it.

With 2 x 2 materials (and thicker) you don’t have that concern any longer.

How to Build a Better Deck Railing

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s expand a little bit on the ins and outs of building a better deck railing so that you are ready to rock and roll going forward.

Mount Them Securely

The very first step in building any deck railing system is making sure that the deck posts themselves are securely mounted on the inside of your deck joists.

A lot of people building decks like to install posts even before they put their deck surface boards down. This gives them full access to the framing underneath, lets them run the posts through the frame and above the deck boards, and generally gives a cleaner and more finished look.

You can go that way if you want (and it’s recommended) or you can cut out holes, slide your posts through later, and then attach them to the joists from underneath.

Either way gets the job done.

Installing Deck Rail Framing Between Each Individual Post

The second piece of the puzzle, though, is it to install your deck rail framing between each of these individual posts.

Most people are going to go with a deck frame that has a top and bottom rail that the balusters are going to be connected to. Some of them, though, choose to go with a cross support system that adds little “Xs” between these top and bottom rails to further strengthen the balusters themselves.

A lot of this boils down to what you want the aesthetic of your deck rail to look like, the kind of material you’re using, and whether or not you really want to beef safety up.

With 1 x 2 material, you probably want those cross support systems added in. That’s extra cutting, that’s extra material, edits extra time as well as expense to get this project done.

With 2 x 2 material, though, you can usually get away without those cross supports (provided the span between your deck posts aren’t all that long).

Connect Balusters To Top and Bottom Rails

The next piece of the puzzle is to simply connect your balusters to your top and bottom rails.

This can be done in a bunch of different ways (using all different kinds of materials and fasteners), but the general idea here is to make sure that your balusters are plum and straight. You don’t want your deck railings looking all wobbly.

After that has been taken care of you can come back and with your top railing piece (sometimes supported with a 1 x 2 on edge to give a little more finished look on the inside – or the outside), the part where your hand is going to go.

Stain

The only thing left to do is to stain, paint, or seal your deck railing.

Now you are rocking and rolling!

Closing Thoughts

Using a 1 x 2 for your deck balusters really isn’t all that recommended.

Truth be told, choosing that material – over much better (not much more expensive) 2 x 2 materials – is going to give you a whole bunch of hassle and headache you could have avoided completely.

Those materials have their place in construction projects. They just don’t have a place on your deck railings!

Instead you’ll want to go with something a little more secure, something a little more solid. You are, after all, putting up a railing on your deck to help make sure that people stay safe should they accidentally tripped, fall, or bump into the railing itself.

Nobody wants to have to worry about a shaky, wiggly, wobbly or flat out unsafe deck railing.

Skip the 1 x 2 material, bump it up to 2 x 2 (or thicker) material, and that won’t ever be a problem for you from here on out!

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Complete Guide: Can You Use a 1×2 for Deck Railing?