Deck Transformation
Building a Custom Cedar Hog Panel Railing for Safety and Style
I finally wrapped up a huge project for my neighbors, Kip and Teresa, and let me tell you, it came out really nice. We started talking about this back in May not too long after their new grandbaby arrived, but we finally nailed down a good time to build in October. Their deck is beautiful, but sitting about four feet off the ground in some sections, it presented a serious safety problem for both the baby and their dog. The solution was to design and build a functional, beautiful Cedar Hog Panel Railing system that secures the space without blocking that fantastic hill country view.
The goal was simple: turn a pleasant but slightly dangerous hangout into a fully secure family haven.
Navigating the View and the Code: Cedar Hog Panel Railing Design
One of the first things we had to figure out was the height. Building a railing is always a balance. The rail needs to hit the code requirement for safety, but Kip and Teresa wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery from their lounge chairs. I didn’t want them looking directly at the top rail! I built a “test” rail and let Teresa decide if it worked– we worked it out to lower it by a couple of inches.
We settled a precise height of 30.5 inches tall. This keeps the top rail safe and code-compliant but just low enough that when they sit down, the hog panel is what they see, not a solid wall of wood. This compromise is crucial for maximizing visibility.
For the materials, we went with natural, durable cedar and raw metal hog panels, letting them naturally weather. I love a project where the materials get better over time. Looking at the supply list, I know this thing is built like a tank: I’m anchoring it to the existing structure using four 4×4 deck plates, and I’m planting new anchor posts with two bags of quickcrete. Outdoor rated screws keep everything tight, and for tying into the structure, I use heavy-duty Star Drive Flat Head Structural Wood Screws for those critical load points.
The Geometry Challenge: Building the Custom Deck Gates and Stairs
Where things really got interesting was at the two access points and the staircase. This is where the simple build goes sideways into custom fabrication, and honestly, figuring out the geometry for the gates and the stair rails was the hardest part for me. It takes a lot of math—I mean, a lot of math—to get those angles right, especially when dealing with the stair stringers.
I designed two custom gates. The main staircase needed something big and sturdy, so I built a custom sliding gate. For a smooth, industrial feel, I integrated 2″ casters on the bottom of the gate and used the galvanized pipe as a solid, secure stop along the deck floor to keep the casters in line. Getting the rails and the gate to mesh perfectly takes precision; the gap has to be just right so it slides without binding.
The back stair rail presented its own challenge: a landing at the top with stairs. I was able to attach the 4×4 posts to the house and the stairs, and attached the panels to the posts. The stair portion is a weird trapizoid, but I wanted the hog panels to line up.
Installation and The Finished Look
Once I had the math locked in and the gate frames built out—I use 2x6s on top and 2x4s on the sides for the gate frame itself—the actual installation of the linear railing went fairly smoothly. I use the 2x4s to create sturdy framing, and then add a dado channel with my 100 year old craftsman table saw. This puts a groove in the 2x4s to receive the hog panel. I simply drop the hog panel sections into place, securing them with screws, and finish with the 2×6 caps.
Kip and Teresa are thrilled with the results. As you can see in the walk-through video, the new cedar color is crisp and clean right now, and the whole system is solid. This is the definition of form meeting function. Their deck is now a relaxing space where they can truly unwind, knowing that the new railing system handles the deck safety part for them. The whole project feels complete, and I must say, seeing Kip use those custom gates and smile makes all the effort worthwhile. If you’re considering a deck upgrade, this style secures your space without sacrificing your view.
Building a Custom Cedar Hog Panel Railing for Safety and Style
I finally wrapped up a huge project for my neighbors, Kip and Teresa, and let me tell you, it came out really nice. We started talking about this back in May not too long after their new grandbaby arrived, but we finally nailed down a good time to build in October. Their deck is beautiful, but sitting about four feet off the ground in some sections, it presented a serious safety problem for both the baby and their dog. The solution was to design and build a functional, beautiful Cedar Hog Panel Railing system that secures the space without blocking that fantastic hill country view.
The goal was simple: turn a pleasant but slightly dangerous hangout into a fully secure family haven.
Navigating the View and the Code: Cedar Hog Panel Railing Design
One of the first things we had to figure out was the height. Building a railing is always a balance. The rail needs to hit the code requirement for safety, but Kip and Teresa wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery from their lounge chairs. I didn’t want them looking directly at the top rail! I built a “test” rail and let Teresa decide if it worked– we worked it out to lower it by a couple of inches.
We settled a precise height of 30.5 inches tall. This keeps the top rail safe and code-compliant but just low enough that when they sit down, the hog panel is what they see, not a solid wall of wood. This compromise is crucial for maximizing visibility.
For the materials, we went with natural, durable cedar and raw metal hog panels, letting them naturally weather. I love a project where the materials get better over time. Looking at the supply list, I know this thing is built like a tank: I’m anchoring it to the existing structure using four 4×4 deck plates, and I’m planting new anchor posts with two bags of quickcrete. Outdoor rated screws keep everything tight, and for tying into the structure, I use heavy-duty Star Drive Flat Head Structural Wood Screws for those critical load points.
The Geometry Challenge: Building the Custom Deck Gates and Stairs
Where things really got interesting was at the two access points and the staircase. This is where the simple build goes sideways into custom fabrication, and honestly, figuring out the geometry for the gates and the stair rails was the hardest part for me. It takes a lot of math—I mean, a lot of math—to get those angles right, especially when dealing with the stair stringers.
I designed two custom gates. The main staircase needed something big and sturdy, so I built a custom sliding gate. For a smooth, industrial feel, I integrated 2″ casters on the bottom of the gate and used the galvanized pipe as a solid, secure stop along the deck floor to keep the casters in line. Getting the rails and the gate to mesh perfectly takes precision; the gap has to be just right so it slides without binding.
The back stair rail presented its own challenge: a landing at the top with stairs. I was able to attach the 4×4 posts to the house and the stairs, and attached the panels to the posts. The stair portion is a weird trapizoid, but I wanted the hog panels to line up.
Installation and The Finished Look
Once I had the math locked in and the gate frames built out—I use 2x6s on top and 2x4s on the sides for the gate frame itself—the actual installation of the linear railing went fairly smoothly. I use the 2x4s to create sturdy framing, and then add a dado channel with my 100 year old craftsman table saw. This puts a groove in the 2x4s to receive the hog panel. I simply drop the hog panel sections into place, securing them with screws, and finish with the 2×6 caps.
Kip and Teresa are thrilled with the results. As you can see in the walk-through video, the new cedar color is crisp and clean right now, and the whole system is solid. This is the definition of form meeting function. Their deck is now a relaxing space where they can truly unwind, knowing that the new railing system handles the deck safety part for them. The whole project feels complete, and I must say, seeing Kip use those custom gates and smile makes all the effort worthwhile. If you’re considering a deck upgrade, this style secures your space without sacrificing your view.
Call Scott: 210.716.0329