Balustrade
Balustrades
Not every porch has railings. On old porches the use of railings was a matter of common sense. If the porch was more than a couple of steps high, railings were used to keep everyone from falling off. These days, common sense may still play a role, but when it does it's probably accidental. In new construction, your local ordinances and the building inspector determine the presence or absence of railings, whether it makes sense or not.
Railings (sometimes called balustrades) consist of a top and bottom rail with balusters (spindles) installed between the two. The rails tend to be plain, but the balusters are often more ornate. Turned models are common, and elaborate gingerbread versions appear on Gothic Revival houses and regional vernacular buildings. The more elaborate the balustrade, the more distinctive the porch. And the more difficult maintenance and repair can be.
Balustrade Attachment
There are many different ways to attach railings to the columns or newels that support them. The most common is to use some type of hardware screwed to the side of the column and the underside of the rails. The center of longer rails—anything over 6 or 7 feet—is attached to the porch floor with a small block that is screwed to the bottom rail and the floorboards. This block is traditionally painted the same color as the floor so that it blends with the floor.
Not every porch has railings. On old porches the use of railings was a matter of common sense. If the porch was more than a couple of steps high, railings were used to keep everyone from falling off. These days, common sense may still play a role, but when it does it's probably accidental. In new construction, your local ordinances and the building inspector determine the presence or absence of railings, whether it makes sense or not.
Railings (sometimes called balustrades) consist of a top and bottom rail with balusters (spindles) installed between the two. The rails tend to be plain, but the balusters are often more ornate. Turned models are common, and elaborate gingerbread versions appear on Gothic Revival houses and regional vernacular buildings. The more elaborate the balustrade, the more distinctive the porch. And the more difficult maintenance and repair can be.
Balustrade Attachment
There are many different ways to attach railings to the columns or newels that support them. The most common is to use some type of hardware screwed to the side of the column and the underside of the rails. The center of longer rails—anything over 6 or 7 feet—is attached to the porch floor with a small block that is screwed to the bottom rail and the floorboards. This block is traditionally painted the same color as the floor so that it blends with the floor.