Modifying or Removing Railings

Railing Properties

Big Hammer Deck Design supports two different construction styles for railings: Custom (the default) and Kit. Custom railings are built up from pieces of wood on-site. A kit is purchased from a manufacturer and installed on-site.

You can set railing properties by double-clicking the railing to open the Railing Properties dialog.

NOTE: Railing properties can also be accessed by clicking the Modify button in the Home ribbon and selecting Railings from the menu. If multiple railings exist, you will be prompted to choose a railing to edit.

The dropdown list at the bottom of the Railing Properties dialog contains the following options:

• Apply to all Railings:  Applies material and style changes to all railings on all decks in the design
• Apply to all Railings on this Deck:  Applies material and style changes to all the railings on the current deck
• Apply only to this Railing:  Applies material and style changes only to the railing that you double-clicked

The Outside Railposts option (the default setting), utilizes a series of posts which are attached to the outside of the rim beam.  Outside railposts will have a corner post on each side of the outside corner to ensure that the top rails have a place to be attached.

The Inside Railposts option, when selected, utilizes a series of posts which are attached to the inside of the rim beam.  Inside railposts will have a single corner post just inside each corner of the deck.

Materials Tab

The Materials tab is the default view for the Railing Properties dialog, and is used to choose the Custom or Kit option.

• Custom:  To change the lumber type used for the railing components, use one of the Change buttons. When using the Custom setting, you can also choose from several railing styles using the Styles tab.
• Kit:  With this option selected, railing is designed based on the kit you choose. To change the kit and any kit material options, use the Change button.

Spacings Tab

The Spacings tab is used to select the amount of baluster spacing, rail post spacing, toe space, and rail height. Also, you can set options for the railing posts around the deck perimeter using the Rail Posts options:

• No Intermediate Rail Posts:  The software, by default, places posts between the corner posts in the railing. Selecting this option removes the middle posts.
• Uniform Rail Post Spacing:  This option places posts between corner posts every x number of feet. Enter the number of feet desired between each rail post.
• Use Spacing from Material:  With this option selected (for kits only), the software automatically calculates the post spacing.

NOTE:  When a railing kit is used, the No Intermediate Rail Posts option is not available, and it is not possible to change the RailPost Spacing for the Uniform Rail Post Spacing.  Those options will be grayed out.

Styles Tab

The Styles tab contains style options for lumber railings.

Sizing Railings

1. Zoom to the area of the railing.
2. Drag and release the grip point (represented by ).

Removing Railings

1. Click the Remove button in the Home ribbon.
2. Select Railings or Railings to All from the menu.
3. If you chose Railings, click the desired railing to be removed. Press the ESC key to return to the deck design. Choosing Railings to All removes all railings from the deck design when the option is chosen.