Deck stairs and railings
On a hillside deck, the stairs and guards do a lot of work. Here's what Duluth requires and what a solid job looks like.
A guard is only as strong as its posts, and a post is only as strong as how it's tied into the frame. Plenty of older decks have posts notched and nailed to the rim joist, and after years of weather they rock. Stairs take a beating too: snow, shovels, and long runs down a slope where a misstep means a long fall.
When does Duluth require a guard?
The City of Duluth requires guards on any deck surface more than 30 inches above grade or above a lower deck. Guards must be at least 36 inches tall, and openings can't let a 4-inch sphere pass through; on the triangle along a stair, the limit is 4-3/8 inches. Guard posts are 4x4 at minimum, spaced no more than 6 feet apart, and can't be notched at the bottom. Across the bridge in Superior, Wisconsin's deck code requires guards sooner, on any deck more than 24 inches above grade.
What makes Duluth deck stairs safe?
- At least 36 inches wide, with risers no taller than 7-3/4 inches and treads at least 10 inches deep
- Steps that match: the biggest and smallest risers or treads in a run can't differ by more than 3/8 inch
- A landing at the top and bottom, at least 36 inches long and as wide as the stairs
- A handrail on stairs with four or more risers, 34 to 38 inches above the nosings, continuous and returned at the ends
- A light near the top landing
Long runs on a slope
On a tall hillside deck, one straight stair can be a long way down. Builders often break the run with a mid-level landing, turn it to follow the grade, or bring it down beside the house. Wherever it lands, the bottom needs solid, level ground, not soil that washes out each spring.
Guard choices
| Type | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Matching a wood deck at lower cost | Needs a finish; balusters loosen with time |
| Aluminum | Clean look, little upkeep | Usually a full system with its own posts |
| Cable | Keeping a lake or harbor view open | Needs stout end posts and periodic tensioning |
| Composite / vinyl | Matching composite decking | Sleeves cover structural posts |
Warning signs
- A post or top rail that moves when pushed
- Loose or missing balusters, or gaps wide enough for a child to slip through
- Treads that bounce, crack or tip
- Stringers that are soft or split where they meet the ground
The builder prices the job after seeing the site, measuring, and going over materials and layout with you. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has looked at the slope, the house wall and the footing locations is only a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
At what height does a Duluth deck need a guard?
The city requires a guard on any deck surface more than 30 inches above grade, at least 36 inches tall, with openings that won't pass a 4-inch sphere.
Can new railings go on my old deck?
Usually, if the frame is solid enough to anchor new posts. The builder will check how posts attach and whether the rim joist is sound.
Related services
More background: Duluth deck guide.
A deck that lurched after the thaw, or one you've been planning all winter?
Call the number above and we'll connect you with a deck builder who works on your side of the hill.