Shop finally done, working on the loft - railing ideas?

[xanth]

Hi Everyone,

After about 10 Months, my shop is finally built. 36x50 with 18 ft walls. Very excited about it.

We've starting building the loft in the back 10 ft of the structure, so it is 36 ft wide, 10 deep. We did have the loft engineered to make it easier to get the building permit. Pretty simple with 2x8 joists, and 3 ply 2x10 beams. Floor is 3/4 plywood.

Rails are just "to code". Originally planning on using 4x4 posts every 6', 2x6's top and bottom between them then 2x2 balusters to finish it off.

Just looking for some different ideas, maybe something easier to put together. The less expensive the better. Loft is permitted, so it needs to pass code.

Thanks!

 

[Zeke]

I assume the 2 x 6's are vertical to satisfy the 1.5" grip rule. To make this go fast install your balusters on the face of the 2 x 6's. Lots of railings have the 2 x 2's bevel cut at the ends. Leave the ends 2" short of the edge of the rails. Looks good for a wood railing.

 

[cvairwerks]

Cablebullet:

Cable Railing for Wood Posts

The Cable Bullet Wood Post Cable Railing collection is ideal for both interior and exterior residential wood post decks, fences, and stairways. The simplicity of the Cable Bullet patent pending tensioning system makes this collection perfect for homeowners and professional installers alike.

www.cablebullet.com

 

[theoldwizard1]

Skip the balusters. Go with cable !

Edit:

I just saw cvairwerks post. Nice, but there are probably less expensive ways of doing similar.

 

[cvairwerks]

Skip the balusters. Go with cable !

Edit:

I just saw cvairwerks post. Nice, but there are probably less expensive ways of doing similar.

About 600$ to do a 10 cable installation.

 

[Bucko]

Depending on the lofts intended purpose you might consider a solid half wall. The loft I did in my shop is strictly for storage so the wall hides everything and gives more perimeter storage so I can keep the center clear for easy access. It also made for a large area on the front side for shop art.

 

[xanth]

Cable wouldn't be bad, but a bit on the spendy side.

 

[xanth]

Depending on the lofts intended purpose you might consider a solid half wall. The loft I did in my shop is strictly for storage so the wall hides everything and gives more perimeter storage so I can keep the center clear for easy access. It also made for a large area on the front side for shop art.

That's a pretty solid idea, didn't think of building a half wall.

 

[Lassen Forge]

We did one using 1" galvanized pipe - closet flanges to mount to the floor and walls, T's to connect the down supports to the top rails. Can't remember what it cost, but we had a pipe threader so we could cut and thread to whatever size we needed, and it seems to me it wasn't that much.

 

[PelicanPines]

Cablebullet:

Cable Railing for Wood Posts

The Cable Bullet Wood Post Cable Railing collection is ideal for both interior and exterior residential wood post decks, fences, and stairways. The simplicity of the Cable Bullet patent pending tensioning system makes this collection perfect for homeowners and professional installers alike.

www.cablebullet.com

To make a design "Statement"... I'd go with cable... but use barbed wire. (Bazinga)

 

[Fav Onefour]

Do you think you will use a lift to move items to and from the loft?

 

[larry_g]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachments/img_2978-jpg.60915/

In the above image you can just barely see the 1x2" welded wire that I used for railing on my deck. It has been in place now for ~ 15 years and still working well. It would work in your loft but I think a solid 1/2 wall would be better. I also think that you should put a door or lift out section in the middle of the wall/railing so that you can open it up and use a lift or stand in the back of a truck to help get heavy things up there. In my shop build, linked below, the railing around the top of the stairs is removable to lift things up there.

lg

 

[jmiller_2308]

Cattle fence if you can get it to make code. I think most is 4" squares which might be too big. If it can make code you could go crazy and plasti-dip paint it for color and a bit more gauge.

 

[CraigStu]

How about standard plastic deck railing. Most are made to fit over 4x4 posts like you already plan on. Easy to install.

 

[My Old Tools]

I never bothered on mine, but then we don't have codes, permits, or inspections out here in the boonies. Make it removeable in sections to make it easier to get stuff up there.