Installation Guide

fig. 7
Note: Stair angle must be between 30 and 35 degrees for brackets in kit to fit
properly.
Step 1 Determine the number of stair railing posts needed for your deck. Post
spacing is 6' on-center.
Step 2 Install stair railing posts prior to installing stair treads. Cedar or
pressure-treated pine 4x4 railing posts or a post mount provides the structural
strength for the stair railing. The length of each post is determined by the total of
the stringer width + tread thickness + stair railing height + spacing for post cap.
Important: Do not notch the 4x4 railing posts. Notching will reduce the
strength of the post and could result in railing collapse or failure (fig. 3).
Step 3 Position, plumb with a level, and clamp the stair railing post on the interior
face of the stringer. Plumb again. The 4x4 stair railing post should be bolted to the
inside of the stringer using two 1/2"x6" galvanized carriage bolts. Corner posts
use a third carriage bolt inserted through the adjacent joist (fig. 7). Ground level
posts should be set in concrete.
Step 4 Install treads; notch treads to fit around the 4x4 stair railing posts. Allow
1/4" space between the treads and any permanent structure or post. Additional
blocking may be necessary on the 4x4 for fastening treads.
Step 5 Trim 4x4 post sleeves to length. Post sleeves should be a minimum
of 1-1/2" longer than the railing height. Stair posts may be longer to allow
for the riser height. Slide a trimmed post sleeve over each 4x4 railing post.
Post sleeve should slide easily over the post. DO NOT FORCE post sleeve
onto post. Twisted or crooked 4x4s should be replaced. Slide a post base
trim over each post sleeve for a finished look. Note: It is recommended to
install the post base trim prior to installing the bottom rail. However, the two-
piece design does allow the installer to add the post base trim after the rail
has been installed. To install, apply a thin line of clear exterior construction
adhesive to the inside of the post trim, where it will contact the post sleeve,
and snap into place around the base of the post sleeve.
Step 6 Measure the distance between installed post sleeves to determine the
length of the top and bottom rails. Place the bottom rail on the stair treads next
to the posts and adjust so the distance between the first baluster hole and post
is greater than 2-3/4" minimum and equal on both ends (fig. 8). Mark the rail to
the proper length and angle. Cut the bottom rail. Cut the top rail to the same
length and angle (fig. 9).
Step 7 Place the proper rail bracket covers and stair brackets on the ends of
the bottom rail. Pay particular attention to the brackets being used as they differ
based on top/bottom rail and up/down angle. Determine the postion of the
support block and attach to the bottom rail. Prop the bottom rail between the
posts on the stair treads (fig. 9). You may need to place equal shims between
two stair tread noses to elevate the bottom rail. Check for requirements in your
area. Typically, a 6" sphere may not be allowed to pass through the triangle
formed by the bottom rail, tread and riser (fig. 8). Center the stair bracket on the
post. Using the stair bracket as a guide, mark the screw positions on the post
sleeve and rail on both ends. Pre-drill 1/8" pilot holes through the post sleeve
and rail. Attach the stair bracket to the post sleeve using the #8-15 x 2" - #2
square drive flat head screws and then attach stair bracket to rail using #8-16
x ¾" - #1 square drive wafer head self-drilling screws.
Step 8 Place a baluster into each routed hole in the bottom rail. Make sure
baluster is fully seated in rail (fig 10).
Step 9 Place the stair rail bracket covers and stair brackets on the ends of the
top rail. Position the top rail by placing the balusters inside the routed holes, while
working from one end to the other. Center the stair bracket on the post. Using the
Stair Railing Installation Instructions
PostDetail.pdf
Top Rail Bracket
and Bracket Cover
Support
Block
Bottom Rail
6" Maximum
StairAsm.pdf
•
Top Rail
Equal spacing on
both ends
•
•
•
Post
Cap
Post
Base
Trim
•
Post
Sleeve
•
•
•
Baluster
•
•
Bottom Rail Bracket
and Bracket Cover
•
•
Post
Sleeve
Post
Cap
Post
Base
Trim
Post
Sleeve
Bottom Rail
StairRail.pdf
Distance
Between
Posts
Mark Rail
for Length
and Angle
Mark Rail for
Length and Angle
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
fig. 8
fig. 9