A core part of building a quality deck that often goes overlooked are the railings that get attached to the deck stairs.
According to the International Residential Code (IRC) deck builders need to install handrails on any set of stairs and railings need to be built if there are four or more risers. Whether or not you put railings on both sides is completely up to you, though.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the ins and outs of putting railings on your deck stairs!
Do Deck Stairs Need Railings on Both Sides?
Though there are some homeowners that like the minimalist look of a deck without any handrails – and certainly without any railings – these kinds of projects are (almost always) built or modified in violation of building codes.
Both the IRC and the International Building Code (IBC) recommend that handrails are installed on ANY set of stairs that allow access into or out of your home.
This includes stairs on your deck, a quick set of stairs going up to the backslider, your front steps, or any other stairs that are linked to an entrance.
Both of those codes also recommend that full-blown railings are to be included on any set of stairs that have four risers or more (four steps or more).
What does this mean for you?
Well, it probably means that you’re going to want to at least consider putting a handrail on one side of your deck steps (or both) at the very least. And if you have more than four steps on your deck stairs you want to think about adding a dedicated railing, probably on both sides as well.
Check Local Codes First
As always, though, we recommend that all builders not only consult the International Residential Code as well as the International Building Code (and maybe even codes and recommendations from organizations like the Americans with Disabilities Act, for example) but also their local code enforcement officers.
While there are universal guidelines that recommend when handrails and full railings should be installed, local rules can vary quite a bit.
In some localities, for example, anytime a set of deck stairs are going to terminate at the top more than 24 inches above grade full on railings need to be installed. In another locality – sometimes within the same state or same geographical region – that code maybe even stricter or not exist at all.
Some localities may require handrails or railings to be installed on every set of stairs that are hard mounted to the deck itself, regardless of how many risers or steps it has.
Others have no handrails or railings for any steps – no matter how high they go – if the steps are technically freestanding.
This is why it’s so hugely important to confirm your building plans with local code enforcement agents.
You want to be sure that you are good to go (and that you and your deck are as safe as can be).
Handrails vs Stair Rails
You’ve probably noticed that we’ve been using the term “handrail” and “railings”, and not interchangeably the way that a lot of folks will.
That’s because in the world of construction these two terms mean very distinct and different things.
A handrail is, well, a simple little handrail!
It’s just somewhere to put your hand to help you maneuver stairs (up or down) while giving you a bit of an extra anchor point to grab onto if you need some extra leverage.
Railings, the other hand, are used to describe full-blown railings systems with a handrail on top, balusters in the middle, guardrail components, but bottom rail components, and some sort of post at the start and finish of the railing system itself.
Handrails are the kind of thing you usually see on one side or the other of a set of deck stairs, and almost always when those stairs are relatively short runs. We are talking about a couple of steps (maybe two or three).
Simple, easy to install, and relatively easy to anchor they aren’t all that complex or difficult to implement.
Railings systems, on the other hand, are often found on both sides of a set of deck stairs.
Not just used to give your hand and anchor point when you need a little bit of leverage to get up or downstairs, these railing systems also provide a bit of extra safety and protection for children, pets, and even adults to stay “between the lines” of a taller flight of stairs.
We mentioned earlier that railings are recommended on deck stairs that have at least four risers (four steps) or more. You’ll almost always put these railings on both sides of the steps – unless you have a solid wall (or something similar) to block one set of the steps for you.
Should I Double Up Anyway?
While code doesn’t necessarily require you to have double handrails or double railings on every single set of deck stairs it’s usually a good idea to go a bit “overboard” all the same.
For one thing, you get a lot of symmetry in your deck stair design when you have both sides mirror one another.
Secondly, it’s just a lot more convenient for people to use the stairs if they can choose which hand to grab a railing or a handrail with. Having something on both sides let’s traffic move up and down the stairs at the same time, too.
Finally – especially when it comes to railings – it’s important to remember that these are artificial boundaries designed to keep people and objects safe from falling off the stairs, particularly at higher heights.
It’s never a bad idea to add a little bit of extra protection on these projects. Even if it’s just for a little more peace of mind!
Closing Thoughts
Do deck stairs ALWAYS need railings on both sides? The answer is No.
Not really.
Is it (generally) a good idea to have railings on both sides of deck stairs, especially if you have more than four risers?
Yes. We would definitely recommend it!
If you found this blog post helpful, please consider sharing it with a friend or family member that might get something out of it as well.
And, as always, thank you so much for reading!
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