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Balustrading
can add a decorative effect to ground level decks and must be used on elevated
decks for safety. Decking balustrading should be assembled and fixed to joists
before installing deckboards. To
conform with Building Regulations, the maximum recommended length of
balustrading between posts is 1800mm. For lengths in excess of this additional
newel posts must be used.
Balustrading
is best assembled on a clear, flat surface such as a garage floor. Establish
where you would like the top of the handrail to be in relation to the newel
post. This can be done using a small offcut of handrail. Draw around the
handrail profile onto the face of the newel (fig 9).
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The
treated and cedar balustrading rails (66mm width) are designed for use with a
concealing rail, so when drawing onto the face of the newel for these
handrails remember to draw two rails, one on top of the other. The lower rail
will be the rail that is fixed to the newel posts. The large cedar and
American rails do not require a concealing rail and are used for both handrail
and baserail. -
For
the balustrading rails, drill the section of the handrail using an 8mm
diameter wood bit to a depth of 60mm at a distance of 10mm up from the groove
in the rail (fig 10).
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Turn
the handrail over and in the groove of the balustrading rails at a distance of
60mm from the end of the handrail drill a 35mm diameter hole to a depth of
18mm using a hinge drill/forsner bit or similar to create an access hole for
fitting the balustrading bolt (fig 11A). You will find drilling of the treated
balustrading rail easier if you chisel a rebate in the smallest groove of this
rail.
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The
American rail is drilled in the centre of the rail using an 8mm wood bit to a
depth of 60mm and a 35mm access hole is drilled on the side face of the rail
(fig 11B).
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Drill the other end of the handrail in exactly the same way.
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On
the face of the previously marked newel post measure up from the groove of the
lower pencil drawn handrail section a distance of 10mm. For the American rail
measure up 60mm. Drill the newel post at this point using a 9.5mm diameter
drill bit to a depth of 25mm. Screw the threaded insert part of the
balustrading bolt into the newel post using a 6mm Allen key. Mark and drill
the remaining newel posts in exactly the same way and fix inserts into
position (fig 12).
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Balustrading
and American rails are also used as baserails with the groove facing downwards
on the balustrading rail. Measure down the face of the newel from the top of
the handrail a distance of 900mm and draw a line, which will represent the
finished deckboard level. From this pencil line measure up 75mm and using the
off-cut of handrail draw the profile of the rail onto the face of the newel,
allowing for the bottom edge of the rail to be level with the line at 75mm
above deckboard level (fig 13).
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Mark
and drill all newel posts and rails as previously described.
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Screw
the threaded bars into the inserts in the newel posts and position rails onto
threaded bars. Using a spanner, tighten all rails to newel posts with the
combined pressure plate and nut/s of the balustrading bolt (fig 14).
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