New Hand Rail for Our Deck Made Out of Conduit

by M&M Embellishments

2 Materials

We needed to replace our railing, so we finally came up with a design we liked and wasn't overly pricey. {It ended up being pricey lol} But we love it's chunky design and the coduit has held up well!

new hand rail for our deck made out of conduit

This was the boring railing before

We used 6x6 posts for the chunky appeal to match our log cabin rustic feel.

It was a tad nerve wracking for me, as heights are not my favorite!

I made a template so the rails would all be the uniform.

I could not WAIT to stain it!

I have a cat pen under my deck so my cats can get outside safely!

The absolute hardest part was figuring out those step rails. UGH, hope I never have to do that again!

*** UPDATE*** After receiving many comments about the code violation, I will admit that I honestly do not know if it is against code in this area. I also wasn't thinking about little ones - my bad! I do NOT pick style over safety, and for that matter, I would not leave a little one alone on a deck regardless of vertical or horizontal. I do realize accidents happen. So again, MY BAD. If this post is offensive to people, I apologize, but please don't make it seem that I am a heartless person that only cares about the design and not the safety. I do not have any little ones around and just wasn't thinking about that aspect. And if you want to know the real truth, I have dogs, and I was more concerned about how far to space the rails so they would not get out or jump off. So now you might think I care more about animals than little people. Not true, just what my concerns were at the time of building.

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Lainey Howell on May 13, 2016
I wondered, in your design, why you switched from horizontal to vertical for the steps? It seems it would have been easier to continue the horizontal spacing. It looks wonderful. I love a good mountain cabin! Especially when it considers the fur babies. As for kiddos, this railing looks a lot like the commercial ones. It would be interesting to compare spacing with those! Love your deck.

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Jdbuild on Aug 16, 2020

Looks great! How did you get the conduit in between the posts after the posts were already set (I'm assuming the conduit is longer than the opening)? Drill the hole a little bigger on one side so it could slide in from an angle? Does it bend to work it in there?

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Mary Hughley on Mar 28, 2021

have you had any rust so far on the EMT tubes?

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5 of 133 comments

Jay7078090 on Apr 07, 2017

I am not sure what the code Violation is as long as the spacing of the poles is 4" or less then that meets code. I am not sure how you connected the post to the deck structure . I would have notched the deck boards and installed the post to the Floor joist with bolts and also add a simpson post tie to it also to make sure that it was extra strong. That is the only thing that I see that I would have done. I really like the idea I might have painted the piping black maybe but if you wanted it really maintenance free over the years I would have done exactly what you did

1 Reply
- M&M Embellishments on Apr 09, 2017
  Thank you! We drilled out holes on the 6x6's to insert the pipes. I do worry that over time, they might be too difficult to remove if needed. I don't exactly remember now, but I do know we used those simpson ties of some type and used bolts from underneath. As for the black - I was told NOT to but have heard others say that it would have worked. And I think we are in code as far as the distance. People don't like that a toddler could climb up the rails - understandable. Thanks for your response!!
  
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Caryn Jackson on Oct 20, 2019

I am interested in trying this. His have the emt pipes held up? Any rust or bending?

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- M&M Embellishments on Oct 20, 2019
  
  Hi Caryn, we were very nervous about this.We heard different things from different people, that they wouldn't hold up, but it has now been 3 or 4 years, and they still look good. No rust or bending at all!
  
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- Caryn Jackson on Oct 20, 2019
  
  Thanks for the quick response! I’ve been nervous too given the less than positive things said about the use of emt outside. I’ve been leaning toward doing it anyway with a “what the heck” but your response has given me lots more confidence. Thank you!!!
  
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