Deck around the pool advice.

Getting ready to build a pretty good size deck around my pool. Need some advice.

Deck will be 38' long and 28' wide. 24' pool on one side leaving 2' of decking on the 3 narrowest sides. With 12' of decking on the long side.

I'm having trouble deciding how to make my railings.

If you take 38' and divide it evenly 5 times, you get a center to center measurement of 7' 7 1/4". Should i make my railings even like that? Because on the other side of the deck, I will have stairs recessed into the deck and it will not be the same center to center measurement.
Stairs will be recessed anywhere from 5'8" to 6' back into the deck and 3'6" wide. And those can change if I need to for anything.

I would like to make the post extend from the ground all the way up to make up the railing. I would rather not have separate posts for the rails.

Anyone have any advice on how to make this look nice?

 

I doubt that anyone would notice the difference from one side to the other if it is only a few inches off (say 7' 7 1/4" one side and 8'-00" on the other side) I typically just see the railings or fences installed at 8'-00" C-C because most of the materials come in 8' sections and it is just easier that way. You will then end up with a short section at one end, but it is normal.
As an engineer I also prefer to space it out and make it even or symetric as much as I can, but sometimes it is just not possible.

 

I think i figured out if i make it 36' long, i can make 6' sections and make it even on both sides. I can make my stairs 6' long so that post lines up with the other side. Then on the ends, make those 7' sections. I dont think 6' sections will look bad. A few extra posts, but it will all be even.

 

What is your railing system going to be

 

My wife wants those black round metal balusters. So 2x4 top and bottom with the round balusters between with a 2x6 cap on top. Something like this...



But I think i'm going to make the 2x6 go over top of all the posts and have a nice smooth finish on top instead of having the posts sticking up and having to cap them. More like this...

 

In that case I would just divide the posts centres evenly and try to stay at about 7' max OC so you don't get sag in the rails ( 6' is better )

Also consider a layout that would allow you to use 20' 2x6 for the caps , 6' OC or just over will work good for that and the advantage is that the 20' length locks 3 rail sections together

 

Make the small sides around the pool at least 3'. You'll thank me when covering and uncovering the pool.

 

I figured out a way to make it 6' OC on the long side and 7' OC on the short sides. I think i'm going to stick with that. Makes my deck 2' shorter, but I think it will look better in the long run.

With a 28' x 36'. I'm worried my deck boards will not come out just right. I'd hate to get all the way to the end and realize i need like 1/2 a board to make it come out right. Is there a way to make sure everything will end up like its supposed to be?

I plan on getting PT decking and installing them flush with each other, then when they dry out, it should leave nice 1/4" or 3/16" inch gaps between them.

 

I might actually have to do this. The inside of my pool is 24'. I didnt take into consideration the rail cap is 8". The 4x4 will take up some of that space. So now my 2' is down to 1" or maybe a little bigger. I'm going to have to rethink the sides a bit.

 

Another thing to consider. If you're thinking of using composite boards for the decking,they can be slippery as hell when they get wet.

 

I like to sticker and air dry my decking material before installing it , less cracking and checking that way

 

Hi OZ !

 

http://youtu.be/yQDi8uoZiZY

 

Not too bad....how ya been ?