How to Space Railing Pickets
- 1). Contact your local city or county code enforcement department to obtain a building permit before beginning construction. Certain neighborhoods or housing developments may also have regulations regarding modification or construction of new outdoor structures such as decks or fences. While the regulations may seem restrictive, they are typically written to protect the homeowner.
- 2). Sketch the railing of the fence, deck or porch where you plan to install the pickets. Include the dimensions. Once you've decided how far apart you will place the pickets, the sketch will serve as a useful reference as you cut the pickets and construct the enclosure. If the enclosure is to be used as a barrier for children or pets, the pickets must be spaced closely enough to prevent their passage. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, slats used in cribs should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent entrapment. This is also a useful guideline for constructing an picketed enclosure.
- 3). Measure, mark and cut a small piece of scrap lumber to the width of the space between pickets. This will serve as a spacing tool. Position the first picket on the railing. Use a carpenter's level to ensure it is plumb. Attach the picket to the rails. Once the first picket is plumbed and affixed, place the spacing tool on the top rail, butted against the edge of the first picket. Use a pencil to mark the position of the edge of the second picket on the rail. Use the spacing block to also align the picket on the lower rail.
- 4). Continue using the spacing tool to position the pickets so each is parallel to the one previously installed. When you reach a corner or new section of railing, use a carpenter's level to ensure that the first picket is plumb.
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