Deck planning guide · 5 min readUpdated
Estimate railing materials and record supplier quotes
Turn wood, aluminum and glass railing layouts into post and section quantities, add quoted prices and keep product references with the deck project.
Set the geometry before asking for a quote
In Edges, enable the railing on each exposed side and choose wood, aluminum pickets or glass. Set height, finish, actual square post width and maximum post centres. Different railing on edge keeps an individual side's settings separate. The post width changes the shared geometry used by the plan, 3D preview and material estimate.
Maximum post centres are measured horizontally in plan, including stairs. The quote rows also report the sloped clear opening and stair angle. Confirm the manufacturer's measurement basis and limits; a horizontal span is shorter than its sloped counterpart.
Beside a parallel deck-return railing, stair rails move inward by the post-width allowance and the entered Post clearance beside deck-return railings. Review the resulting usable stair width and handrail connection. This is a planning clearance, not a code minimum. The model is generic. Its post centres and illustrated infill are not a manufacturer-approved layout, and base plates, anchorage and required backing are not designed.
Read the railing allowance in Purchase list
The railing allowance shows the priced subtotal, shared post count, section count and number of unpriced rows. Each physical shared post is counted once. Post rows distinguish ends, straight runs, corners, stairs, unusual angles and mixed-system junctions. A mixed junction needs a reviewed connection; it does not combine two brands automatically.
Sections with matching type, height, finish, opening and slope are grouped for quoting. Wood sections include rails and balusters; aluminum sections include rails and pickets; glass sections include the rails and infill specified by the supplier. Quote section brackets, spacers or gaskets and required supports as part of that assembly. Posts, caps and bases are quoted separately from sections.
| Row | Quote basis | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Railing post | One complete post assembly per modeled location | Full stock height, cap/base contents, corner or stair connection, anchorage |
| Level section | One complete assembly per clear opening | Actual kit span, height, infill, brackets and included parts |
| Stair section | One assembly per sloped opening | Stair angle, permitted span, height and mounting detail |
| Glass section | One supplier-specified assembly for the opening | Available panels, side gaps, gaskets and post-position changes |
These are quote assemblies, not automatically matched retail kits or a detailed timber cut list. No automatic railing spare allowance is added. Mounting anchors, backing and missing components must be specified separately.
Treat glass openings as a sizing request
A clear opening is the space between the modeled post faces. It is not the glass purchase width or a cutting dimension. The supplier must select panel sizes and gaps and may require different post positions. Tempered glass must not be cut to fit.
Level glass panels are not assumed suitable for stairs. Ask for a reviewed stair-glass assembly or choose another stair infill. A generic 3D panel does not establish availability or product compatibility.
Attach a product and a dated price
Enter the CAD price per unit in the row. Open Add supplier / product reference to record the dealer, product name or code, full product-page URL, quote date and a short scope or quote-reference note. These fields also work for decking and specified framing rows, so a composite-board quote can stay with its dimensions.
Supplier references are user-entered notes, not UC endorsements or verified compatibility claims. Links open the address entered; the designer does not fetch product data or live prices. Prices are before tax. Blank means unknown; zero means no charge. Railing rows retain their supplier-review status even when priced.
Changes to a railing opening, height, finish, post width or slope may create new rows with blank prices and references. Quotes on the unchanged rows remain. Review all quotes after any layout change; quantities can change without a new product size. Up to 60 product references can be saved in one project.
Check a kit's contents before using its price: if it includes posts, have the quote separated or clearly allocate the cost once. Remove or adjust older manual rail-kit allowances so Additional items does not duplicate the automatic railing rows.
Save, export and review with the supplier
Download CSV includes the assembly quantities, dimensions, locations, entered prices, supplier names, product codes, links, quote dates and review notes. Print plan & list includes the displayed references. Download project keeps these editable fields with the layout, and Open project restores them. Earlier project files remain supported.
The supplier needs the plan as well as the list to resolve custom corners, stair transitions, anchors, glass sizes and stock cuts. Ask for a complete written bill of materials and confirm what is excluded. The estimate does not design structural connections, verify code compliance or include installation labour and tax.
On devices without a working 3D view, use the 2D plan, quote rows and saved project. The pricing workflow does not require WebGL.