bschweit

Here is my discussion from the Deck Builder's forum, in case anyone is interested. To summarize, I decided on going with the Titan Anchor system for each post, securing them with wedge bolts at each of the 8 points. Deck Builder's Forum

I was checking out my neighbor's deck which he had done last summer, and it looks like the deck builder wrapped his concrete patio with 2x6's bolted to the concrete and them mounted the deck to that. To me, that does not seem to be any more structurally sound that what I was attepting to do. Sounds like my only solution is to find a solid way to mount the posts to the floor of the patio instead of the side. So notched posts are NOT the way to go. I've seen a few products out there, some that are quite a bit pricey ($16/post) for a "hidden" way of doing it where the post needs to be drilled out from underneath and then slid onto what is attached to the concrete floor. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to use to provide the cleanest looking solution. I just don't want to see those big bulky anchors that wrap around the bottom of the 4x4. Thanks everyone! Barry

The patio is 12x12 and the railing kits I purchased are 6' sections, so I'll have posts every 6 feet. I'm leaning towards fastening the first rail off the house directly to the brick, then there will be one post in between the house and the corner. I figured using the Tapcons would hold it well enough, but will the anchors give me any more protection from the force of someone leaning on the rails, or would I only get that by anchoring the post to the bottom of the patio instead of the side?

I have purchased the Rail Simple railing kits for my patio. They did not come with posts, so I went to Lowes and purchased some notched 4x4's ready to be installed. My plan was to use 3 or 4 Tapcon concrete screws to mount these posts to the side of my patio. Is this enough to hold them, or should I use concrete anchors? Check out the picture of my patio for reference. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks, Barry