porch or stoop

[peppy]

My wife and I have had a bit of trouble insuring this house. We finally get insurance and they call to get a railing installed on the porch. I comply as you can see my good work in the picture, but low and behold it is not that porch they were talking about . They wanted a railing on the front stoop (it's not a porch).

The agent called about the railing, and me being mad about putting the first railing up, I told him no that I did not want to put a railing on the front. I think I have until 6/10 to have it done.

The front stoop is on the list of projects, but it needs a lot more than a railing.


Got any ideas?

[mossguy]

Put a railing on the "stoop" for the insurance company and until you can get to it as a major project. Part of the cost of living.

Best,
Tom

[sailchef]

Agreed, a lot less headaches and stress down the road.

[EarlyPorsche]

You have a railing on the front. What else do they want - more down the steps? You do not have enough time to make a huge enclosed front porch but I think one that covers all the bottom windows and ties into the side porch with an equally wide walkway is in order for that classic american looking home.

[peppy]

Ok guys metal or the white composite railing?

[mossguy]

Whichever is less expensive and /or easier, since it will be,in effect, temporary.

Best,
Tom

[masraum]

Isn't there already railing on the stoop? It looks like a metal railing on each side.

[peppy]

Metal is already there.

I am just trying to not make it look like crap. New metal railing is 36" tall and the railing that is there is 33.5" tall and is anchored through the aluminum siding.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by peppy

Metal is already there.

I am just trying to not make it look like crap. New metal railing is 36" tall and the railing that is there is 33.5" tall and is anchored through the aluminum siding.

Peppy , for insurance purposes (safety/liability) I would think that a rail across the ends of the stoop and down the sides of the several stairs is what they are talking about.

Best,
Tom

[peppy]

Tom you are correct, down the steps is what they are wanting. My question is about tying it into the old railing that is there.

[john70t]

Not out of the ordinary. I think in general most code requires a railing for four or more steps.
I'm not sure if that includes the deck.

This keeps people who fall/slip sideways from going very far and breaking something. Imagine if you had a sharp spiked fence next to the shrubs, and granny is walking up during an icestorm.

You should be able to easily find some black iron/al rails that match the top at one of the box stores, and/or special order them from the lumberyard.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by peppy

Tom you are correct, down the steps is what they are wanting. My question is about tying it into the old railing that is there.

Peppy, You could weigh the savings of only a partial railing tied to the old, against the cost of all new railings which would look very nice. If you do "very nice" then you are off the hook temporarily for being in a rush to do whatever you are going to do eventually in the front. And every time that you look at it, you won't be annoyed by a half-assed (IMHO) job and will not become a victim of the shoulda's.

Best,
Tom

[ben parrish]

Make it match what you already added. The metal was a cheap thing for the builder to do when he did it. The right looking rails, a couple of nice wrought iron planters at the bottom of the steps and a few window boxes will really dress up what is already a good looking house.

[Zeke]

Well, I like the railing you put on the porch. I'm with the others, the stoop doesn't need to match. Just do the minimum and move on. Besides, you'll have more to hang Christmas stuff on.

It will tie in about 4" below the finial and end on the first step. Should look fine. Good reason to have to go out and buy a welder!

[ben parrish]

Make it match what you already added. The metal was a cheap thing for the builder to do when he did it. The right looking rails, a couple of nice wrought iron planters at the bottom of the steps and a few window boxes will really dress up what is already a good looking house.

[A930Rocket]

Why do they want the new handrail going down the steps? When was the house built? It was probably built to code back then AND WAS NOT REQUIRED. Ask your local building officials.

Code now requires a guardrail/handrail with 3 risers and/or 30", but that's FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION ONLY.

BTW, you can build it out of anything and temporary of you want to pass, then pull it down. Just have to deal with any issues later.

[herr_oberst]

Don't even have to do both sides, do you?

sink a damn post at the bottom of the stairs and weld a piece of steel between the new post and the old railing...

Easy breezy lemon squeezy.

[peppy]

Thanks for the input, I will check out the metal railing a HD and Lowe's (local hardware does not carry it)

I'm thinking 2 posts and 2 6' pieces of railing the welder and a day of my life

Oh and do it fast before my wife has a lot of time to think about it.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by peppy

Thanks for the input, I will check out the metal railing a HD and Lowe's (local hardware does not carry it)

I'm thinking 2 posts and 2 6" pieces of railing the welder and a day of my life

Oh and do it fast before my wife has a lot of time to think about it.

That is not going to get it as it will have to be built to present day code. Most places require no more than 4" between the balusters.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

That is not going to get it as it will have to be built to present day code. Most places require no more than 4" between the balusters.

The railing will be to code down the steps.