How to Build a Porch Railing

If you have a porch that needs a little update, adding a railing will make it really stand out. With some tools and supplies you can build your own porch railing that will last for years. This railing will also provide safety. This project is an eight-foot railing made with 2-by-4 inch studs and 1-by-2 inch rails.

Items Needed:

• Measuring tape


• Wood saw


• Wood slat


• Hammer and nails

1. Measure between column posts to obtain the length of your top and bottom rails. The distance can vary between each column post as well. Check each section to get exact measurements.

2. Lay out the 1-by-2 inch rails and fasten a 20-inch wood slat on the end, between these rails, with finish nails. Make sure the end of the rails overlaps the end of the wood slat. Repeat the same procedure on the other end of the top and bottom rails with another wood slat. At this point you should have the top and bottom of your porch railing as well as the two end slats, so that you have a rectangular frame to work with.

3. Measure from either end of the top rail and place a mark every 4 inches across the length of the rail. Do the same procedure for the bottom rail. These marks are the center points for the remainder of your wood slats. Fasten each slat to the top and bottom rails with finish nails. Then place a mark on the end of the top and bottom rails to mark their center points.

4. Lay out your 2-by-4 inch studs and mark the ends in the same way you marked the 1-by-2 inch rails in Step3. Find the center point of each, the line up the center point of each of the studs with the center point of the rails. Nail the top stud to the top rail so that the stud acts as a cap for the new porch railings. Turn over the unit and repeat the process with the bottom stud, nailing it to the bottom railing.

5. Sand the unit and then remove any remaining dust and lay the porch-railing unit across sawhorses. Then apply a coat of wood primer. When this dries, paint the porch railings with your desired color and allow them to dry. Apply a second coat if needed and let the railings dry.

6.Measure 30 inches from the top of your porch up the porch columns and mark with pencil. Repeat on the opposite column. Stand your porch railings up and set the top of the unit on the line you just drew on the columns. Fasten the rail unit into place with finish nails by nailing the end rails into the columns. Toenail finish nails from the upper and lower studs into the columns for added support.

7.Repeat steps 1 through 5 for any additional gaps between porch columns.