Installation Guide

fig. 3
Prior to construction, check with your local regulatory agency for special
code requirements in your area. Common railing heights are 36" and 42".
Structural support should come from the continuation of deck support posts that
extend up through the deck floor or from railing posts that are bolted to the inside
of the rim or outer joists. Never span more than 8’ on-center between railing
posts. Install railing posts before deck boards are fastened to the joists.
Pre-drilling of all railing components is essential to successful installation. Do
not over-tighten screws. Read instructions completely to get an understanding
of how the product goes together and how each piece affects the other.
Step 1 Determine the number of railing posts needed for your deck. Post
spacing is 6' or 8' on-center. Example: A 12'x16' deck attached to a building
with a 4' access opening on one side will require a total of eight posts (fig. 1).
Step 2 Install rail posts prior to installing deck boards. Cedar or pressure-
treated pine 4x4 railing posts provide the structural strength for the railing.
The length of each post is determined by the total of the joist width (7-1/4")
+ decking thickness (1") + railing height (36" or 42") + spacing for post cap
(1-1/4") = 45-1/2" or 51-1/2".
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. 2a).
Step 3 Position, plumb with a level, and clamp the rail post on the interior face
of the joist. Plumb again. The 4x4 railing post should be bolted to the inside of
the joists using two 1/2"x6" galvanized carriage bolts. Corner posts use a third
carriage bolt inserted through the adjacent joist (fig. 2b).
Step 4 Install decking. Notch deck boards to fit around the 4x4 railing posts.
Allow 1/4" space between the deck boards and any permanent structure or post.
Additional blocking may be necessary on the 4x4 for fastening deck boards.
Step 5 Trim 4x4 post sleeves to length. If you plan to use a post cap, post
sleeves should be a minimum of 1-1/2” longer than the railing height (fig. 3).
Example: For a 36" high railing, trim post sleeve to a minimum of 37-1/2”, or longer
if desired; can be left longer if desired. Slide a trimmed post sleeve over each 4x4
railing post. Use shims as needed to create a snug fit. Slide a post base trim
over each post sleeve.
Step 6 Pre-drilled rails. Note: To ensure the outer balusters are equally
spaced, the rail components require trimming at both ends. Ensure the holes are
a minimum of 2-5/16" from post. Using the lower pre-drilled rail as a guide, place
it adjacent to the post sleeves and center the rail so the furthest pre-drilled holes
for the balusters are equal distances from the post sleeves. Mark the gap between
the posts on the lower rail and trim to fit. Note: Without pre-drilled rails, trim rail
components first, then mark baluster placement on lower rail and upper inner rail,
starting from the center of the rail. (Rails without pre-drilled holes are used with
glass baluster infill or other unique infill configurations.)
Step 7 Note: To ensure the balusters are installed plumb, the holes between
the rail sections must all be aligned. Tip: Use a gauge pin or a 3/32" drill bit to
ensure the holes are aligned. Using the trimmed lower rail as a guide, set one
inner rail on the trimmed bottom rail and align the pre-drilled holes. Mark the
cut lines on the inner rail with a pencil. Note: To allow for the thickness of the
brackets, the inner rails should be 1/8" shorter than the outer rails with all holes
equally spaced. Remove an additional 1/16" from the pencil mark on each end
and trim the inner rail to length. Repeat for the second inner rail (fig. 4).
fig. 1
fig. 2a
Fig.3.eps
fig. 2b
In-Line Railing Installation Instructions
For Installations Using Aluminum and Glass Balusters