• Deck Railingdeck with a view image by Bruce Shippee from Fotolia.com
  
  A deck is a popular addition to any house. It's less expensive to build than an enclosed addition, and yet it allows you to enjoy the outdoors within a few steps of the comforts of home. When you are building a deck, attaching the deck railing is of importance. Building codes specify how decks should be built. Even though these building codes may vary from state to state and even municipality to municipality, there are some general requirements all must follow. For example, the railing should be 36 inches tall and be able to withstand 200 pounds PSI. Deck railing attachment ideas are important to consider, for they play a major role in the integrity of the railing.
  
  

Nails

• Nails can be a good option for attaching deck railings. However, these nails need to be stainless steel so as to resist corrosion. The size of the nails are also a consideration. You do not wish your railings to fail, plus they need to be strong enough to withstand the 200 pound weight requirement. If the mails are going to be used with pressure-treated lumber, make sure that the nails are not only galvanized, but hot-dipped galvanized.
  
  

Screws

• Screws are a good fastener for deck railings. Like nails, the material from which the screw is made is an important idea to consider. Stainless steel is a good choice, however if the railings are made of pressure treated wood, hot-dipped galvanized screws are necessary.
  
  

Bolts

• Bolts are good fasteners for deck railings. Lag bolts can be tightened too tightly, so bolts that have washers as well as nuts can protect against over-tightening. If a bolt is over-tightened, there is a danger of the threads stripping, and thus weakening the strength of the wood.