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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 08:23
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I need to get a railing installed in the loft so no body goes rolling over the edge and falls 10'.
I would like to keep the railing and all of it's structure below it as open as possible so that it doesn't make the loft feel walled in as well as still allowing air to flow and light from the windows.
Code for WI says the railing needs to support 200lbs, balusters, panels, guards or whatever below the actual rail needs to withstand 50lbs. If a rope or cable is used, can't be more than 3.5" apart. If anything else is used, a 4 3/8" ball with 4lbs of force cannot be pushed through. Vertical post need to be every 4'.
This is the best photo i have of said area.
So what ideas do ya'll have that looks nice, easy on the wallet and isn't a PITA to install?
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 08:40
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There's a thread on railings here with lots of ideas.
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 08:52
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I have a loft where my guests stay when visiting my cabin, and here are some things I've experienced.....
When the loft railing is open like you describe, it really limits privacy. Its difficult for guests to get dressed without going into the bathroom, if they want to go to bed early the lights/noise from below distract them.
I am an early riser, and when I sit on the couch drinking my coffee I have a direct view up into the loft. I feel the need to be quiet to avoid disrupting them. I realize this is the nature of a loft, but it has me leaning toward completely closing the loft off.
This would also help the issue of heat rising up into the loft and reducing noise from below.
Having said that I don't know your intended use for the loft, or how often you think it'll be used. But some things to consider.
Now to answer your question, Paul is correct, there is a fairly recent thread that has a lot of great ideas. My favorite is using copper pipe or rebar with rough cut wood rails on the top and bottom. Good luck..
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rpe
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 09:28
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Would tempered glass be an option considering your 'open as possible' requirement? Of course, that makes the privacy issues jsaraha mentions above worse!
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 11:12
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Thanks guys, I’ll look for that post.
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 11:15
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One of my favorite looks for an open style railing is to use the "Hog fence panels". For whatever reason I really love the look. I am hoping to find it cheap enough locally to install it as my exterior deck railing on the cabin once I get that far.
Here is a link to a few examples. I am not necessarily endorsing this particular company/product. Just an easy link I found:
https://wildhograiling.com/products/
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 14:51
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Quoting: BRADISH for an open style railing is to use the "Hog fence panels".
At least here the inspector won't allow hog panels as the openings are too large. Here folks use goat/sheep panels as they are 4" x 4" squares.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2022 18:52
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I believe it is always a good idea to pay attention to the spacing rules as set out in the IRC. I don't want to be responsible for anybody's kid being harmed because I ignored a safety rule.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 23 May 2022 21:53 - Edited by: travellerw
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I decided on something like this.
Its pretty affordable if you go %100 DIY. However, not everyone has the tools and know how to weld up the balusters. Even then, they sell premade balusters that are NOT SUPER expensive. The stainless cable, ends and crimper are surprisingly cheap.
Its definitely a quick way to get up a railing. Its pretty much a one man day job for around stairs like your pic (using premade stuff).
If you do have the tools and know how... Then it gives you something to do in the evenings after work (when you can't get out to the cabin).
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mj1angier
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2022 09:04
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How about a louvered rail system? Open for air movement, closed for privacy..
http://flexfence.com/showcase/deck-railings/
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2022 09:18 - Edited by: jsahara24
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That's pretty neat.....I like it
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 25 May 2022 12:34
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Quoting: travellerw I decided on something like this.
My only caution on this method - is if you have little ones (anyone under about 10), as this might as well be a ladder baited with candy. Not sure what the attraction is, but keeping kids from climbing the horizontal "rungs" is basically a fulltime job..
If there's no kiddos around, no worries - I think it will look great!
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 27 May 2022 09:25
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Quoting: mj1angier How about a louvered rail system?
This would be pretty cool, but not sure it would be robust enough. If i recall, code says the area below the rails has to withstand 50lbs.
travellerw
Since i recently bought a welder, i was leaning towards the hog fence idea, but i'm liking this idea more for a simpler install. Do you have any links to the crimper/ends that your using? Are you leaving your cable natural stainless color or painting it somehow?
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 30 May 2022 11:31
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Quoting: WILL1E Since i recently bought a welder, i was leaning towards the hog fence idea, but i'm liking this idea more for a simpler install. Do you have any links to the crimper/ends that your using? Are you leaving your cable natural stainless color or painting it somehow?
I bought everything on Amazon (Crimper, ends, cable). I will see if I can find links to it so you have an example.
I will be painting all the balusters black (might get them powder coated if its not too expensive). I will leave all the cable shiny stainless as I look the look of stainless on black.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with the top rail now. The cost of even paint grade wood is crazy high and that top rail will be like %75 the cost of all the other components.. Sigh.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 30 May 2022 11:36 - Edited by: travellerw
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Here are the links to the items.. Of course its amazon Canada, but you can use the descriptions to find similar stuff in the USA.
Crimper (Bonus it also crimps wire terminals for solar, battery cables, ect)
Wire
Ends
Just a word of warning.. Some local codes don't allow horizontal members in railings. Check with your codes to make sure its OK. Our local code was recently changed to allow it.
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