How to Disassemble Exterior Metal & Wood Railings

Inspect the underside of the wooden rail to see how it is secured to the metal components. This will help you determine which type of bit or screwdriver head you must use to remove the wooden rail.

Install the appropriate bit in your electric drill. Remove all of the screws holding the wooden rail in place, then lift the rail off of the metal components and set it aside.

Inspect the fasteners holding the metal parts in place. If the railing is a wall unit with individual metal brackets, you most likely will be able to use the same drill bit to remove the screws securing the brackets to the wall. If the railing is one large unit along the edges of a deck with metal balusters, the metal components may be secured to the deck with heavy bolts, though this varies depending on the manufacturer.

Remove the screws or bolts from the metal components with the proper tool. If bolts are securing the metal to the deck floor, inspect the underside of the deck to look for nuts. If you find any, loosen them with a wrench, and then remove them by hand.

Repeat the process until the metal brackets or balusters have been removed completely from the wall or deck.