Deck Railings & Stairs in Aurora, CO

Deck railings and stairs do the most to keep people safe on a raised deck. A guard is what keeps someone from going over the edge, and a stair has to be predictable underfoot in the dark or on a snowy morning. On Aurora homes with walkout basements, where a deck can sit a full story above the yard, these details are not optional extras.

When guards and handrails are required

The American Wood Council's deck guide, based on the International Residential Code, requires a guard once the walking surface is over 30 inches up, and a handrail wherever a stair has four risers or more, set between 34 and 38 inches measured from the nosing line. Handrails have to be graspable, not just a flat 2x6. The guide also calls for a light at the top of deck stairs, switched from inside the house or on a motion or timer control. Aurora builds to the 2021 IRC with local amendments, and the inspector checks these items on site.

Railing materials

• Wood: lowest cost and easy to customize, but needs finishing like the rest of a wood deck
• Composite: pairs visually with composite boards and skips the stain can
• Aluminum: powder-coated, light, low-maintenance and popular in black
• Cable: thin stainless cables keep mountain and open-space views clear
• Glass: the most open look, with the highest price and more cleaning

Installed, Fixr shows wood at $30 to $50 a linear foot and glass at $140 to $210, with the others in between.

Wind and snow on railings

Railings on open lots take wind, and snow piles against them in winter. Railing posts are the weak point: a post that is only screwed to the face of a rim joist will loosen over time. We use blocking and tested post-mount hardware, or through-bolted connections, so posts stay rigid. Glass panels add wind load, so we follow the manufacturer's post spacing and mounting details closely.

Stairs that work in snow

Deck stairs need consistent riser heights and tread depths so no step catches you off guard. We set stringers on a solid landing pad rather than bare dirt, which helps keep stairs from shifting as the ground freezes and thaws. For composite stairs, we follow the maker's stringer spacing, which is often closer than for wood. A slightly wider tread and a well-placed light make winter use easier.

Replacing railings on an existing deck

Railings on older decks were often built to earlier standards or have simply loosened. Replacing them is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make, and it can be done without rebuilding the deck if the framing is solid. Because a guard can be no sturdier than its anchor, we inspect the rim joist and post mounts before quoting.

HOA considerations

Many Aurora HOAs specify railing color, material or style, particularly for decks visible from the street or open space. We gather those rules and include product details with your HOA request.