Hints and suggestions to create balcony railing

[Vera]

Hi All, I would be happy to hear some suggestions how to build a new railing on a balcony that is at the level of about 400 mm of the ground. The floor has tiles and there are 4 supporting poles. The trick is that I want to design the simplest and most efficient way so the person who installs it to spent the least time for the installation. I have already gathered 1. vertical wooden planks and horizontal bars that support the planks 90 cm to about 7 cm in width and the two horizontal bars about 1.5 m x 25cm upper and lower. I think that this is one way, however, to place the planks between the bars, takes a lot of work and it is time-consuming. The 2. way is to use double horizontal wood bars 1.5 m x 15 cm place 4 one above another with about 7 cm space between them, Connectors may be vertical metal connectors and large screws/hexadecimal bolts. I will be covering them with paint later. Please, can you have some suggestions regarding this project?

[Brad · Accepted solution]

I think there are 3 quick ways to do it.

1. Framing nailer really fast to use but not the strongest joins. I have an air one can also get battery powered.

2. Batten screws great for the t joints and can be hidden if they are under flush so they can be filled in, not so great for fixing to the posts as you will need brackets or drill at an angle.

3. Pocket hole screws will make all the joints you need using a drilling jig but needs more effort filling in the holes or using/making plugs. I have the 240v Kreg Foreman but the manual jigs work fine too.

Disclaimer I am a former welder and we tend to over engineer things for strength...

[Vera]

Thank you, I already settled on the project design, of course, with a tradesman who is going to assemble it, after the materials are purchased. I will use thinner slats and it will be off the ground about 100mm. Expect the "after" pictures.

[Jason]

Thanks for the update @Vera. Looking forward to seeing the end result.

Jason

[Jason]

How is your project going @Vera?

Hope all is well.

Jason

[Vera]

Yes, the project has finished very well, thank you. I can show you pictures for before and after. All materials are from Bunnings and the design, measure and calculations are done by me. The work was done mostly by my husband and a handyman working together. See below. Before the IdeaPlanning ProcessThe Balcony/Porch Actual AfterFence & walkway, Balcony - after

[Vera]

Thank you all for your kind encouragements.
Actually, the idea about the fence and pathway was my husband's and also a selection of fence structure from Bunnings was also by my husband and the handyman. It made a great difference because it was a fantastic selection of materials and decorations, keeping it "simple" but with a "signature".
However, it was not easy.
As you have noticed, we had to remove the tree by a specialist, which cost a lot, level the ground - cost a lot, place a walkway (entirely made by the tradesman), and place a new turf ( done by a gardener). However, the paint of the fence and the balcony was from Bunnings and it was done by husband and me.
I am expecting a positive response. Thank you again.

[Jason]

Well done @Vera. Great to see the end result. Many thanks for sharing.

Jason