i'm replacing some of the wood on my existing porch and deck, including the balusters...on the front porch, at least, the spacing of the existing balusters is not even (it's like the person who built i just went all willy-nilly with it) and ranges from about 3" to 6"

the google tells me that most states require that the spacing between balusters be less than 4"...but i can't find that that's true for NC...the only reference i can find the balusters (or intermediate rails?) in the NC building code is 1607.7.1.2:

Quote :

"Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 lbs (0.22kN) on an area equal to 1 square foot (0.0929 m2), including openings and space between rails. Reactions due to this loading are not required to be superimposted with those of Section 1607.7.1 or 1607.7.1.1."

i take this to mean that there is no required minimal width between them? fwiw, my house (with these crappily-installed balusters) has passed two different inspectors and it's never been mentioned

[Edited on November 12, 2012 at 10:57 AM. Reason : copypasta]

11/12/2012 10:56:16 AM

Paging grimx

11/12/2012 10:59:27 AM

It's 3 or 4 inches for stair railing, so might be the same for the deck. Parents had to find the number when they renovated their interior stairs.

11/12/2012 11:04:12 AM

I thought it was 4" OC.

yeh:

http://ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/free_resources/2012NorthCarolina/Residential/Part_I_Residential/PDFs/AppM_NC_Res_2012.pdf

[Edited on November 12, 2012 at 11:09 AM. Reason : /]

11/12/2012 11:09:00 AM

4"

11/12/2012 11:11:30 AM

Technically a 4" ball can't roll through, so I usually mark 4“ on a gage block and cut the blade to the inside

11/12/2012 11:18:39 AM

4" is standard, but it all depends on the look you are going for. When I built my deck, I spaced them at 3" because it just looked more finished to me. 6" would just look ghetto as hell imo.

11/12/2012 11:33:19 AM

Yeah it's less than 4" (4" sphere cannot pass through them). I've never seen an inspector check them either but the existing ones don't matter. Unless it's an obvious hazard, existing structures don't have to meet current code unless you're updating that specific area (i.e. the windows in a bedroom that don't meet code don't have to be replaced just because you're adding a deck). Exceptions are usually plumbing or electric (or a dick inspector).

11/12/2012 12:47:32 PM

yeah it's 4". I used to build houses and had some dick inspectors who would measure at least a handful of the rails. So I told my deck guys to just make them 5" on center when using the 2x2 deck rails so the spacing between them would be less than 4"

11/12/2012 4:24:47 PM

Yep. If you're using standard 2x2s, just put them on 4" or 5" centers. I prefer the look of 4" OC, but 5" OC will pass code; no sense in doing right at 4" spacing (open spacing) since a dick inspector might find one you screwed up.

11/12/2012 4:29:13 PM

dont do a half assed job on it when you sell the inspector will catch it

11/14/2012 3:06:58 PM

i had no intention on half-assing it...which is why i made the thread

if i wanted to do a shitty job, i'd just follow what's already there

thanks for the feedback...i think i'll go with 5" centers

11/14/2012 3:14:09 PM

haha.

just cut 2x 3.5" spacers and have fun.

[Edited on November 14, 2012 at 3:18 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2012 3:17:58 PM

ballbusters

11/14/2012 3:48:29 PM

Quote :

"just cut 2x 3.5" spacers and have fun."

Yup. Definitely the easiest & quickest route

11/14/2012 5:37:59 PM

Eh I'd cut one, space it at the bottom and level each one

No one but you would probably notice if you relied on two spacers but why not do it right

[Edited on November 14, 2012 at 6:47 PM. Reason : Also be very anal when selecting your 2x2s, especially if at Lowe's or HD...their lumber QC is awful]

11/14/2012 6:45:56 PM

You couldn't pay me to get 2X2s from Lowe's or HD. The only lumber I would buy from either store would be pieces that no one would ever see (stringers, interior framing, etc.)

11/14/2012 7:52:28 PM

Clearly not preferable but they work for small projects, just gotta take time selecting each piece. I go with the expectation of rejecting 2-3 for every piece I buy, 2x2s are especially atrocious though

This is a semi-temporary (2-3 year lifetime) 15hr staircase/landing I built a few months ago with hastily-selected Lowe's lumber. If you look close you can see the bow in the 4x4s and some of the 2x2s...sucker was a pain in the ass to square up at pretty much every junction



And they didn't backfill as high as they said they were going to

[Edited on November 14, 2012 at 9:10 PM. Reason : asdf]

11/14/2012 8:53:22 PM

i already picked them up...i kept cutting up the bundles and throwing the crap to the side...there was a LOT of crappy 2x2s...not as many crooked ones as i expected, but i think there were more knots than actual wood

11/14/2012 9:10:18 PM

late to the party on this (random vanity search ftw), decided to respond just due to first question.

Quote :

""Intermediate rails (all those except the handrail), balusters and panel fillers shall be designed to withstand a horizontally applied normal load of 50 lbs (0.22kN) on an area equal to 1 square foot (0.0929 m2), including openings and space between rails. Reactions due to this loading are not required to be superimposted with those of Section 1607.7.1 or 1607.7.1.1.""

this translates into rail posts are to be spaced at maximum 6'-0" on center.

4" spacing for pickets is standard and most big box stores (lowes/home depot) will sell the rails pre-notched for the pickets spaced at that distance.

I haven't looked over requirements for NC lately, but I do believe more than 5" would not pass code as it would allow an infant or younger to get their head through.

11/18/2012 11:54:51 PM

Quote :

"Eh I'd cut one, space it at the bottom and level each one No one but you would probably notice if you relied on two spacers but why not do it right"

If you level the first and check every so often, there is nothing wrong with spacers.

11/19/2012 8:30:59 AM