I'm going to repair or rebuild this deck. We've been in the house two years and it was in poor shape when we moved in but is next on the priority list.

Deck boards and railing must be replaced at a minimum. Plan is to remove all that and see what the joists look like underneath. If all is good I will just replace the deck boards but I also would prefer to not have these ugly 4x4 railing posts exposed anymore. They're already jacked up from that cedar tree in the first pic.

Is it possible to cut those all flush (below the deck) and add railings or maybe just bench seating all the way around attached to the deck boards? The deck is only about 18" high at the highest point near those cedar trees.

I don't see why you couldn't cut those 4x4s as you mentioned.

You can do the railing or a bench as you've mentioned. The railing wouldn't be as strong as the railing you have now with the posts all the way to the ground.

I recently removed railings and deck boards on thirty year old deck and built back on same joists with some minimal repairs.

Thanks. I may see if I can attach new 4x4 posts for the railing to the joists once I pull off the decking. If not I may just go with benches on some areas on the upper part of the deck and then just have no railing in the lower section. I may just remove the lower section altogether and make that a gravel fire pit area.

That cedar tree looks unhappy.

I'd cut down that cedar tree, patch the holes, power wash and re-stain the whole thing and call it good!

do you want railings? You certainly aren't required by code to have them. I think it would look better without railings, maybe a bench/storage seat area or two.

Bench Code A-OK and better idea - KUDOS

Animal said:

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I'd cut down that cedar tree, patch the holes, power wash and re-stain the whole thing and call it good!

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The deck boards definitely need to be replaced. Maybe the joists also but I hope not.

Why would you cut down the cedar trees they ain't pretty but they are big, mature trees, and I'd rather not lose them.

62strat said:

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do you want railings? You certainly aren't required by code to have them. I think it would look better without railings, maybe a bench/storage seat area or two.

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I agree. I think it would look better without railings. I honestly haven't even thought of not having railings until I made this post. I guess just because they are already there.

bam02 said:

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62strat said:

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do you want railings? You certainly aren't required by code to have them. I think it would look better without railings, maybe a bench/storage seat area or two.

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I agree. I think it would look better without railings. I honestly haven't even thought of not having railings until I made this post. I guess just because they are already there.

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that is the way to go if you're looking to modernize it a bit.

You'd be shocked at how well those deck boards might clean up with some resurfacing and sanding.

You can flip the deck boards over and get another 10 years out of them.

Guys, most of these boards are sponges at this point. They gotta go!

I actually watched a YouTube video last night that did that and really liked that idea! Will definitely be doing that.

Excellent!!! Looking good, get some stain/sealer once it drys out.

Thanks! Will do. Gotta research what to use.

That looks very well done and so much cleaner than the previous. The last one was too busy with all the railing.