1975 balcony railing too low, not to code

Question

our new home has balcony that was to code in 1975 for hight but way too low for us, below our waist, easy to go flying over. Can not afford a new one, still have home in Maine that is not sold. Any ideas on what to do? We have small dogs so if raised, they could go under to a hard fall...wood floors below.

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

I take it that you are looking for a permanent solution to this issue?

Susan Cryor · Answer

yes!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

How about just adding a wooden handrail above the metal. with a small gap 3 ' or so below the hand rail this would bring up the height close to 6'. the lower area will remain the same for the small dogs.

This railing runs about 4 to 7 bucks a foot, add in a pair of end plates and you could be done for 30 to 60 bucks.

Susan Cryor · Answer

thanks! Will share w hubby and son....I was afraid because of the height to have to take the wrought iron out
Afraid of heights! Do they make flat ends plates? Thought only angled ones. I will google it! Thanks again!

Originals by Rhonda · Answer

Susan you could unbolt and raise that rail to the height that you need and then if the gap at bottom is too large maybe just a short row of stone or have someone to build the equivalent of a tile shower threshold. I would form a simple row of concrete and perhaps mosaic it :))

Susan Cryor · Answer

Rhonda, good idea however there is carpeting on the other side, hallway side

Nancy R · Answer

Possibly raise the current rail and add an adjustable shower rod, painted the same color as the railing below for puppy security?

Susan Cryor · Answer

great idea! And VERY affordable

Jeanette S · Answer

Were I you, I would find a body shop in your area and go see if they would be willing to fabricate you something to go across that opening. I bet someone will offer to help you if you explain it is for safety reasons. Actually, take a photo and measurements with you and they can either find some scrap or tell you what to buy. (An old second hand railing from a thrift store can be modified...ask them if it could. Imagine your railing with the spindles cut down to 6-10' and reassembled) They build it, you prime and paint it then install it (brackets that screws to the wall at the top and bottom). Plain, very simple!

Susan Cryor · Answer

body shop? As in cars?

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Unless you have a hand full of rambunctious youngsters about, or are in the practice of doing complex gymnastics in the hall way near this railing, its height should be a fine to keep people from toppling over the edge.

Z · Answer

If the opening is 44' or less I'd buy a wrought iron baluster and two baluster shoes and attach it all horizontally above the current balustrade to add the extra height. http://www.homedepot.com/s/wrought+iron+balusters?NCNI-5

Originals by Rhonda · Answer

Hey Susan Cryor I thought that was a Very Nice Exterior Railing, Sorry. So if you dont have kids or dogs you may not need to do anything beneath the rail if moved up. If there is still an issue, just a nice board or small beam or something across would work

Seabreezn · Answer

Susan , I just had an off the cuff idea for your opening ...how about glass shelving from top to bottom holding a wine collection ?( Beautiful with a background light ) Or your favorite whatever's ..Best of luck !

Susan Cryor · Answer

actually it comes to my waist...I have Mal de disembarkment .. Dealing with it for almost 2 years (January will make 2 years) ..I am dizzy, rock like still on a boat and just had a brain anyurism surgery 
On meds for both, plus due to surgery...my right foot is numb along with my two small toes so I am not feeling safe with it that low, plus have to pass it to get to bedroom/ bathroom. I lean and grab onto the walls when I am rocking hard. I know, I have a friend who says we should get a gun! Seriously, I am concerned.

Susan Cryor · Answer

wow what a great idea! I just checked them out ( I did not know what they were or the shoes! That seems like a quick, affordable fix! Can not wait to share w hubby!

John Folts · Answer

How about a large head board and you could decorate it with a vine.

Rocco A · Answer

railing only needs to be at 36' to  meet code. It looks fairly close to that if its only a few inches you can maybe just raise it and add a wood spaced to the bottom painted same color as rail to make up the difference. Also something no one has mentioned in here if you are going to sell the home the railing spacing is to far apart also. A infant could slip through and fall. So I would honestly recommend replacing that rail with an inexpensive wood replacment or adding a plexiglass guard to the face of it.

Kate McComas · Answer

You could always find some free pallets and arrange the boards to create narrow planter boxes that are high enough to make you feel safe and low enough to keep your pets from a tumble to the ground....

Sara Glenn · Answer

I raised the height of a fence by opening a couple of grapevine wreaths and wrapping it around and around the fence top, rather like a scallop, (or like the barbed wire at a correctional facility) I added hydrangea clusters and other seasonal goodies...

Pat Dollar · Answer

You can buy a length of galvanized pipe at the hardware store and have them even thread the ends if necessary If the flanges are threaded along with two flanges which will attach to either wall. Just measure the opening and the store will cut it to size. The pipe and flanges can be then painted to match the existing railing. Just attach to the walls at the right distance for you above the existing rail.

Susan Cryor · Answer

this lead to an interesting site, where if u burn galvanized pipe u can get zinc poisoning.....I went into painting galvanized pipe seems one would have to use an acid to allow the paint to adhere. I shake so badly, you would not want me working in a dynamite factory!

Karen Young · Answer

I would get a wooden beam maybe 4 inches square running the length of your railing, attach it to the floor, stain it thy same color as your wooden floor, reattach the wrought iron railing on top of the beam. I believe this would be quite sturdynd you would not have a fear of falling.

Susan Cryor · Answer

ok, will pass on to hubby, he loves me being on this site, his 'honey do' list gets expanded!

Cynthia E · Answer

You could attach lexan or glass to walls or railing itself behind the railing from floor to ceiling in the opening, that would enclose it safely while leaving the open look.

Susan Cryor · Answer

here is the solution we came up with! 
need to stain n paint, but truly strong, actually finally was able to lean on it and clean air conditioning vent....really needed cleaned...filthy!

Ginger Robinson · Answer

It would be fairly easy to build a bookcase so you would have some storage on the landing side and on the side you would see from downstairs could be bead board or nice wood, painted.

Susan Cryor · Answer

We have it covered! PERFECT height, no fear of tumbling over, still nice an open!  Simple really!  Thanks to Home Depot guy!

Cynthia E · Answer

Looks great and cheap easy fix to problem . Congrats.

Maggie Ann · Answer

@Susan Cryor I LOVE the way it came out!! I sure do understand your concern about falling over the railing (before you implemented your solution) since I have MS, and lose my balance throughout the day. I'm now in a one-story apartment, so no more worries. I would suggest you stain the new rail to match the wood at the bottom, so it'll look like part of the original building. But I love the way it came out!!

1975 balcony railing too low, not to code

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1975 balcony railing too low, not to code

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