I'm planning to add a 10-foot railing to a patio that has a 6×6 wood post on one end and the exterior of the house on the other end of what will be the railing. I'm planning wood horizontal rails (maybe 2x4s) with vertical bars (wood or metal) connecting them. How should I connect the horizontal wood rails (upper & lower) to the painted wood exterior of the house, and also to the 6×6 painted wood post (which is house-high and supports a patio roof)? Should I use pocket holes, a bracket of some sort…? I'd like it to look good and be secure, and last at least 10 years if not more. Happy to spend a little more for a better connection. Must be easy enough to do myself (home improvement newbie).
Update (additional detail):
Patio floor is concrete slab/foundation (same pour as for entire house). The railing will protect against a drop-off of about 20 inches (code requires railings above 30 inches) but where the ground below is an asphalt brick walkway. I would like to avoid drilling into the slab (definitely if I keep the project DIY).
Best Answer
You call it a patio, so I assume it is not a wood deck (which would be easier to add a railing). I'd avoid attaching it to the house though it seems that the other end of the patio roof may be tied to the house already. Consider driving a super spike into the ground at each end to hold a post that will be the ends of the railing. At a 10 foot span, you'll want one in the center of those two as well. If driving the spike just off the patio won't work, then remove a patio stone and drive the spike where you need it. You can break/ cut the patio stone to fit around the post once its in place.