5 Deck Railing Mistakes Everyone Makes

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After over 30 years in the deck building business and countless demolitions, I keep seeing the same 5 picket railing mistakes over and over again. These errors waste time, cost money, and create problems that could easily be avoided with proper planning and technique.

In this video, I'm breaking down the most common railing installation mistakes I see on almost every deck teardown, from improper panel spacing that ruins the visual flow, to wrong fastener choices that lead to structural problems, to loose pickets that rattle in the wind. I'll show you the right way to plan your spacing, choose appropriate fasteners for different materials, and install pickets that look professional and stay quiet.

Whether you're a contractor tired of callbacks or a DIY homeowner planning your first railing project, avoiding these 5 mistakes will save you time, money, and frustration while delivering results you can be proud of.

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:19 - Mistake #1:
00:00:29 - Pre-planning importance with pencil and paper
00:01:03 - Equal spacing calculation method
00:02:31 - Construction calculator technique
00:03:35 - Quality control and measurement verification
00:05:18 - Mistake #2
00:05:50 - Pre-drilling importance and proper hole sizing
00:08:21 - Stainless steel vs ledger lock fasteners
00:10:16 - Mistake #3
00:10:27 - Fastener selection: stainless steel for aluminum
00:11:01 - Galvanic corrosion discussion (airplane analogy)
00:12:07 - Ledger lock fasteners for wood attachment
00:13:12 - Mistake #4
00:13:27 - Regal Ideas interlocking picket system
00:14:06 - Installation demonstration of picket system
00:15:11 - Mistake #5
00:15:18 - Picket spacer installation technique
00:16:17 - Equal end gap spacing method
00:19:16 - Custom spacer cutting technique
00:21:17 - Final installation and gap adjustment

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📹 Recorded & Edited By: https://linktr.ee/calvinrussellrings
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