Installation Guide

10639 W. Bradford Rd. • Littleton, CO 80127
Phone: [phone] ext 7205 • Fax: [phone]
Genstoneproducts.com
Pillar Panel Installation
Pillar Panel Dimensions
48" ht x 8¼" width (works with 8" squared post)
Peaked Pillar Cap
4" ht x 13½" width x 13½" length
Flat Pillar Cap
4" ht x 13½" width x 13½" length
GenStone Pillar Panels will apply over any structural wood post up to 8"x8"(actual
size). Please measure the diameter of your posts. A treated 4x4 actually measures
3½" x 3½", a 6x6 is actually 5½"x 5½", and an 8x8 is actually 7¼"x7¼". The idea
is to build a box over your post measuring 8"x8" (outside box measurements) by
the height you want to make the rock pillar. GenStone pillar panels are 48" high
and may be cut to make a shorter rock pillar, or stacked to make a taller Pillar. We
recommend you use treated wood for the building of the boxes.
Create an 8"x 8"x 48" box over a 3½"x 3½" post:
Rip the 3½" side of a 4' long 2x4 lengthwise to make 2 each 1¾" wide strips 48"
long. Cut that strip into 12 ea 3½" pieces (shimming strips). Temporarily place one
of the GenStone pillar panels up against the post and mark the post with a pencil
delineating where the top edge of the pillar is to be positioned. Then attach a ring
of 4 shimming strips around the bottom , center (24"), and top (48") of the post.
Make sure the top ring of pieces is lined up below the line on the post. The pieces
should be screwed or nailed (pre-drill if necessary) to the post with the ripped
edge against the post. Please use 2 fasteners per shimming strip. Finally, cut two
ea 8"x48" strips and 2 ea 7"x48" pieces of
7
/
16
" OSB or ½" treated plywood. Attach
the four pieces of sheathing on the post with nails, staples or screws into the
shimming strips. Start with the 7" pieces on opposite sides then nish with the 8"
pieces on opposite sides. The 4 GenStone Pillar Panels should be attached to the
box using a S-shaped bead of construction adhesive appropriate to use with foam
and wood. (PL300 or equivalent) Then hide a series of 8-10 trim-head screws (per
side) between the rocks holding the panels to the box.
Create an 8"x8"x 48" box over a 5½"x 5 ½" post:
The instructions are almost the same as for the 3 ½"x 3½" except you will
substitute 12 ea 5½" pieces of treated 1x2 or 1x3 (¾" thick material) for the rings
around the post. (wide side of these pieces against the post).
Create an 8"x8" box over a 7¼"x7¼" post: Rip 4 each 7¼” x 48" pieces of ⅜"
treated plywood. Attach each piece directly onto each side of the post to create
the 8x8 box. Attach the GenStone Pillar Panels and caps according to the previous
instructions for the smaller structural post sizes.
GenStone Pillar Cap - Deck Newell Post Application: The 14" x14" cap is
glued down to the top of the box framing using PL300 or equivalent. You may
also fasten mechanically with 3" trim head screws from the edge of the cap into
the box. To attach railing brackets use color matched solid blocks cut into the
GenStone Pillar Panels between brackets and actual structural post. Make sure the
fasteners are long enough to penetrate through the blocking and into the structural
post at least 1½".
GenStone Pillar Cap application where the structural post (4x4 or 6x6 or 8x8)
protrudes through the center of the cap.
Trace or “measure and pencil” in the actual structural post size (3½"x 3½" or
5½"x 5½") onto the inside center of the GenStone post cap. Drill a ⅜" hole into
the 4 corners of the square you have drawn. Cut the square out using a Jig saw
or keyhole saw. Turn the cap over and mark and make a straight miter cut with
your saw from the bottom left and bottom right hand corners of the cutout to the
corresponding corners of the cap. You should have created a 3 sided piece and a
single side which can then be glued back together around the post on top of the
pillar. The cap should go back together cleanly. Clamp or screw the corners of the
mitered cap back together and touch up if necessary with the GenStone touch up
paint kit, and caulk around the post with GenStone’s color matched caulk.
Note: GenStone Pillar Panels can be stacked to cover a post to any height. Simply
create the box as far up as you would like and cover with 48" Pillar panels. When
not using our Pillar Cap to protect the box and pillars, please seal the top of the
Pillar Panel applications by ashing and caulking properly according to code.