The railing is the part of a deck the code cares about most — and the part most builders bolt on last. We do it backwards on purpose: for deck projects that require guards or stair railings, railing is included in the project scope, and guard requirements are resolved at drawing stage so post locations, blocking, and stair guard geometry are framed into the deck instead of retrofitted onto it.
Once a deck surface passes 24 inches (600 mm) above grade, Ontario requires a guard, with heights stepping up as the deck gets taller and a maximum 4-inch (100 mm) sphere rule between infill. Stairs add their own handrail and guard rules. Our drawings call all of it out explicitly.
We work with Deck Railing Toronto to install the glass and aluminum railings used on our deck projects. This helps keep the railing layout, stair guards, post placement, and final deck design coordinated from the start.
What's included
- Guard requirement check for your deck height and stairs
- Railing included in scope where the deck requires it
- Post locations and blocking framed into the deck structure
- Black aluminum picket, framed and frameless glass, and mixed layouts
- Stair railings matched to the deck railing system
- Engineer-stamped guard drawings where the municipality requires them
Deck Railing Toronto is a separate railing company; the deck and railing scopes are planned together from the start.
Common questions
Who installs the railing on my deck?
Signature Deck Builders builds the deck and frames the guard structure. We work with Deck Railing Toronto to install the glass and aluminum railings used on our deck projects. This helps keep the railing layout, stair guards, post placement, and final deck design coordinated from the start.
What height does my deck railing need to be?
In Ontario: no guard required at 24 inches (600 mm) or less above grade; 36 inches of guard up to a deck height of 5'-11" (1,800 mm); and 42 inches above that. Openings can't pass a 4-inch (100 mm) sphere. Stairs have separate handrail-height rules.
Glass or aluminum — which should I pick?
Glass preserves a view and blocks wind but costs more and needs engineer-stamped drawings in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains. Aluminum is durable, lower-cost, and available in many profiles. Mixed layouts — glass on the view side, aluminum elsewhere — are common on Georgian Bay builds.