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rgb42

5/4x4 garapa for top and bottom rails?

rgb42
9 years ago

All,

My ipe deck build is coming along nicely and I'm getting ready to install my railing system. Originally, I had intended on using garapa 2x4's for the top and bottom rails and 5/4x6 cap rail, with 2x2 balusters. The rails would be installed on their sides (wide edge parallel to surface).
However, the lumber yard I've been working with ran out of the 2x4's and is suggesting I use 5/4x4 for the rails instead (since they wont have them in again for months).

This seems like it would probably be fine to me, except I'll have to toenail the rails to the posts instead of using rail connectors which was my original plan (unless someone knows where I can find rail to post connectors for 5/4x4 rails).

Anyway, I searched the net for 5/4x4 railing systems and found nothing at all useful, which got me to wondering if maybe it's not such a good idea since nobody seems to be doing it. So, here I am asking the experts if you think this is a good idea or not.

Any advice would be great, and thanks in advance!

RGB

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