Porch Baluster Spacing

BuiltByMAC

Burby, the common name for that style of handrail is "Chippendale" - not to be confused w/ the guys in Vegas!

Here's a question - did you half lap the 2x2s that make up the center "X" or is one totally solid and the other in 2 parts?

Mac

Burby

hahaha, no confusion about the two, the chippendale x is half lapped, glued & a 1 1/4 SS screw

All the typical chippendale rail sections around here are that, regardless of the width of each section. That is the problem she was having in deciding on, the chippendale or typical vertical pickets. So I combined the 2, 1 for looks, 2nd for speed in building. As soon as one goes beyond the point of a 45 degree angle, you have different angles for each section and to many I have seen done as that look like crap. Combining both adds to the looks and sure does simplify construction.
You can precut all your pcs and just build build build

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BuiltByMAC

Nice info, man! A good way to do that type of project... more uniform look, production cut all the angled pieces - faster, better, prettier, stronger.

Mac

KennMacMoragh

Ahh creative, now the house paint just needs a new color I'll have to keep that design in mind. Looks like it would be fun to build.

forsmant

I measure the distance between posts and divide by 4". I then round that number up to the nearest whole number. I lay that number of balusters together and get the total measurement of balusters. I subtract that number from the number between posts and then divide the result by open spaces, which is one more than balusters. This will make the gaps all the same between each post but not necessarily from one section to another. The difference is negligible and will only be seen if measured.