When we expanded our back deck this summer (2X in size, with a "bump out" to fit the grill or firepit) I designed it to have a section of "flip up" railing. It swings on a 1/2" stainless steel lag screw hidden on each side under the railing hardware/trim, has positive stainless "stops" on the outside (to prevent it from swinging out) and is locked/secured most times with stainless barrel bolts. It is very handy to have numerous chandleries (boat supply businesses) nearby on the coast for all the stainless hardware.
Now when we have a large snowfall, we flip up the railing section and just push the snow off and it lands next to the stairs, where it's out of the path of the snowblower for the back walkway. We used to just push it down the old stairs, as it was tough to try and force under the old railing -- and sometime tough to lift up and over the railings too -- so now we just push it off and we're done. But I do need to get a larger "all plastic" pusher, so we don't scratch the new composite decking.
Oh, in case you're interested...
Here's the original old wooden deck: (Very sad looking, and it was stained just 2 summers ago too...) The new 2X expanded composite deck, with new railings and the "bump out" or "grill bay" I added: And a view of the new deck from the back yard. My contractor also sheathed all the posts in 4x4 vinyl and had the idea to do all the white trim in composite: As they say on GOT: "Winter Is Coming" Now I'll be ready!
But with this new deck, there is NO MAINTENANCE other than clearing off the snow!
Old No7
