Fascia Mount Deck Railing Posts and Kits

What is fascia mount deck railing?

A fascia mount post bolts to the outer face of the rim joist, the board running around the outside of your deck frame. The post hangs off the side of the deck instead of standing on it. The railing sections span between posts the same way they do on any other system.

The space it frees up matters most on a small deck that can't be made bigger, on a deck over a waterproof membrane that can't be penetrated, and anywhere you want every usable square foot you can get.

Keylink's fascia mount system fastens to wood or concrete.

When you consider what a square foot of deck costs to build, the space you get back is almost like free square footage.

What makes Keylink's fascia mount different?

Keylink is extremely well engineered, and it is third-party evaluated. On fascia mount the difference is in the bracket.

Many systems use a strap style bracket that wraps around the post. Keylink's is a heavy duty cast aluminum mount with six 3/8 inch mounting holes going into the deck frame. That bracket is the connection carrying the railing, so it's the part worth comparing before anything else.

Brackets come in line, inside corner and outside corner profiles, in 2-1/2 and 3-1/4 inch to match the post.

Fascia mount or surface mount?

Fascia mount buys you usable deck space, but it requires a deck frame that can support it. The rim joist has to be structural.

Surface mount sets the post on top of the deck boards on a welded base plate. It's the default on every system we carry, and tends to be cheaper in comparison.

What does the code require for a side-mounted guard?

The IRC has a provision written for exactly this. Under R507.10.1.1, where a guard is connected to the side of a deck joist or beam, that joist or beam has to be connected to the adjacent joists so it cannot rotate. A connection relying only on fasteners in end grain withdrawal is not permitted.

In practice that means solid blocking or rated metal hardware between the rim joist and the joist behind it at each post location. The code names the outcome rather than the method, so either route satisfies it.

Your building department has the final say.

Is your deck a candidate for fascia mount?

On a wood-framed deck, four things to confirm before you order.

• Is the rim joist structural? Fascia posts bolt into deck framing. A decorative board nailed over the frame isn't what the post attaches to, so confirm what's behind it.
• Does the deck have the ability to install proper blocking? Look under the deck at each post location. This is the code item above, and it's the one most likely to add work.
• What condition is the framing in? Probe the rim joist. Soft or spongy wood won't hold railing loads.
• Is there six inches of fascia below the deck? The bracket is six inches tall and has to land fully on the fascia. A rim joist close to grade or buried in landscaping may not leave room.

If you're not sure on any of them, send photos with your layout and we'll review it with you.

Can you use fascia mount on stairs?

Yes, and on stairs it buys you width. The posts hang off the side of the stringer instead of standing on the treads, so the walking path stays as wide as the stairs were built.

Order the stair version of the post: 47-3/8 inches for 36 inch railing, 53-3/8 for 42 inch. Horizontal cable uses a Stair End Post and a Stair Drilled Line post so the cable runs through on the angle.

Send us your rise and run and we'll put together a free quote.

Is there a fascia mount railing kit?

For horizontal cable, yes. There are fascia-specific top rail kits in both the American and Chesapeake series, because horizontal cable needs a rail section built for the fascia post.

Every other system works differently. Square baluster, vertical cable and rod rail are post-to-post, which means they use the standard rail kit and become fascia mount by hanging on fascia mount posts. There's no separate fascia version of the section to order. The post is what makes it fascia.

One part people miss: 8 foot post-to-post sections take the fascia mounted section support assembly, and it's priced separately.

A specialist builds your layout, walks you through it, and quotes it in one business day. Get My Free Design.

Our Railworthy Standard

We only sell railing that is third-party evaluated, from brands with years in service. A system that misses either one does not get quoted here, no matter the margin.