Building a bar on the deck

[lowella]

Hi folks,

Just discovered this amazing forum!

We would like to build a bar on one side of our deck - not a drink bar but just flat board on top of the rail, overlooking the yard, that people can eat at. This seems very simple to me but I wondered if anyone has done it and if I should take any precautions or use any particular plans. I have not worked on the deck before. We plan to remove the existing painted rail and put up spindles close together (for safety reasons w/ kids) then put a 14-16" wide board on top where people can sit at barstools and eat. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[the_tow_guy]

You'll want to make sure there will be sufficient support so that if three or four people lean on it at the same time, they don't end up on their faces in the back yard.

[lowella]

LOL! A very good point!! Thanks for the feedback!

[BobF]

Design a free-standing bar first. Then alter the design so the back and the rail mesh and look like one piece.