Install
Posts The maximum post span for Trex Artisan Series Railing®
for a 6' railing kit is 72" on center, and 96" on center for an 8' railing
kit. (Note: Stair railing kits are also available in
6 and 8 ft. sections.) Please note whether you have a 6ft and/or 8ft railing
kit. Attach the 4x4 pressure treated post to the rim joists with (2) 1/2"
diameter carriage bolts. (Note: The 4x4 needs to be 39" plus the height
of the joist and deck board with a 36" railing. It should be 45" plus the
height of the joist and deck board with a 42" railing. Do not notch posts.)
Bolts must be vertically space no less than 5 1/8" apart. Top bolt must be at
least 2" from the top of the deck. The bottom bolt must be at least 1" from
the bottom of the post. Minimum joist size is 2x8 as stated in the Product and
Installation Guide.
Post Skirts Break or cut the screw tabs off of one
post skirt per post. Slide skirt over post, and rest on the deck surface.
(See Illustration A)
Post
Sleeves Slide post sleeve over 4x4 pressure treated post. The post
sleeve should rest on the deck surface inside the post skirt. (Note:
Shims may be required if there is slack between the post and the 4x4 pressure
treated post.) (See Illustration B)
Set
Railing Support Brackets (RSB) Insert two brackets into the holes
labeled Standard Railing on the TrexExpress
Artisan
Railing Assembly Tool with the RSB holder in the 0o position. (Note:
When installing Artisan Railing at 22.5 or 45o to the post, move
the RSB holders to the corresponding location.) The sloped edge of the top and
bottom brackets will be down and up respectively. Wrap tool around the post
and rest on top of the post skirt so that the arrows on the Standard Railing
(Blue labels) are pointing up. (Note: The holes with the orange label
are for stairway applications.) Attach each RSB to the post using (2) 2-1/2"
screws. Remove installation tool. (See Illustration
C) (Note: If assembly tool is not available, place bottom and
top brackets 4-5/8" and 35" respectively from the deck surface. These
measurements are to the flat face of the bracket.)
STEP
4(Alternative): Setting RSB for 42" Rail Height For 42" railing height
installations, 45" post sleeves are necessary. Wrap TrexExpress tool around
the post and rest on top of the post skirt so that the arrows on the Standard
Railing (Blue) labels are pointing up. Attach the bottom RSB using (2) 2-1/2"
screws. Measure 6" from the top of the tool and make a light mark. Remove the
tool from the sleeve and then place back on, aligning with the mark previously
made. Attach top rail RSB with (2) 2-1/2" screws. Note: If assembly
tool is not available, place bottom and top brackets 4-5/8" and 41"
respectively from the deck surface. These measurements are to the flat face of
the bracket.) The remaining installation is the same as a 36" installation
from Step 5 through Step 10.
Attach
Bottom Rail Cut top and bottom rail to length. Measure the span between
the posts at the top and bottom RSB locations. Subtract 1/16" from each end to
allow clearance for the rail gaskets. (Note: If
longer sections are being used to create two shorter sections, a cut kit will
need to be purchased to obtain additional hardware.) Place Trex Artisan Bottom
Rail Gasket on each end of the bottom rail prior to fastening for a seamless
look and tight fit. Using (2) #12-1 5/8" self-tapping screws, screw down
through bottom bracket into rail to secure bottom rail to post.
(See Illustration D) After the railing is
secure, place the white rubber screw protectors over the screw points to
prevent injury by hidden screws.
Support
Blocks Cut 4” support blocks from a full size baluster. (Cut slowly to
prevent chipping.) Position the
support blocks
under the bottom rail every 18" on center and use an exterior grade
construction adhesive to secure position.
Space
Your Balusters Cut baluster spacers to the same length as the rails,
ensuring that holes will line up during assembly. (Cut slowly to avoid
chipping.) Snap one baluster spacer into the bottom rail. Place the 2nd
baluster spacer on top of the first, upside down with the snaps facing upward.
(See Illustration E) (Note:
For best results, cut even amounts off each end of the baluster spacer.
Assembling
Balusters to Bottom Rail Pass the balusters through the holes of the
baluster spacers
into the
bottom rail. Balusters are precut to correct length in kit.
(See Illustration F)
Attach
Handrail to Posts
- Raise the top baluster spacer up halfway to stabilize the balusters.
(See Illustration G)
- Place the top rail on top of the upper railing support brackets on the
post, positioning the balusters in the channel. Place the Trex Artisan
Series Handrail Gaskets on the ends of the rail prior to fastening. The
handrail was designed to create a "snug" fit; therefore, pushing down on
handrail may be required.
- After the rail and balusters are in place, push the top spacer back
down to allow for fastening.
- Fasten top rail by using (2) #12-1 5/8" self-tapping screws. Screw up
through top bracket into the top rail.(See
Illustration H)
- Raise the top baluster spacer and snap into top rail.
Finishing
Up Place the 2nd post skirt upside down on top of the post. Then secure
to post with the four screws taped inside the cap. Snap the post cap onto post
skirt. (See Illustration I) Additional parts
are available through your local Trex dealer.
6' and 8' ft Stair Railing Sections; 36" and 42" Railing Height
Installation
Install
Posts Install posts, sleeves and post skirts according to the standard
instructions on page 2. (See Illustration J)
Lower post must be installed even with the front of the stringer. (Note: In
most cases a post sleeve longer than 39" will be needed on the lower post of
the stair rail section. For those applications, a 45" or 96" long sleeve is
available, which can be cut to the necessary length.)
Set RSB
on the Upper Post of the Stairs Hold the assembly tool with the arrows
on the Stair Railing (Orange) label pointing up. Insert two brackets, with the
sloped edge facing up, into the holes labeled Stair Railing on the TrexExpress
Artisan Railing Assembly Tool. Wrap tool around post and rest on top of the
post skirt so that the arrows on the Stair Railing (Orange) labels are
pointing up. Attach each RSB to the post using (2) 2 ½" screws. Remove the
assembly tool and with a second bracket, turn it upside down, and interlock it
into each RSB mounted on the post. (See
Illustration K)
Set RSB
on the Lower Post of the Stairs Hold the assembly tool and insert two
brackets as in Step 2. Now, flip the assembly tool so that the arrows on the
Stair Railing label are pointing down. Align the bottom of the tool with the
top of the next to last stair tread. Attach each RSB to the post using (2) 2
1/2" screws. Remove the assembly tool and with a second bracket, turn it
upside down, and interlock it into each RSB mounted to the post.
(See Illustration K) (Note: If the posts are
not set at the front of the stair treads, the brackets will need to be shifted
up an equal distance to avoid the bottom rail hitting the nose of the stairs.)
Cut the
Top and Bottom Rails to Length With the posts and RSBs installed, mark
and cut the top and bottom rails to the appropriate length and angle. First,
place the bottom rail on the deck surface and the other end on the last stair
tread nosing. Check the distance from the mounting surface to the first
baluster. This distance should be the same on both ends of the rail. Make a
vertical mark on the rail where the post and rail meet. With the bottom rail
marked, subtract 1/16" from each end to allow clearance for the rail gaskets.
(See Illustration L) Repeat for top rail.
Securing
Bottom Rail to Posts Place the bottom rail underneath the RSBs that are
attached to the posts. Place Trex Artisan Bottom Stair Rail Gasket on each end
of the bottom rail prior to fastening for a seamless look and tight fit. Using
(2) #12-2" self-tapping screws (provided), screw down through bottom bracket
into bottom rail to secure bottom rail to post.
Assembling
Balusters and Handrail Follow Steps 6 through 10 above to install
support blocks, baluster spacers, balusters, handrail and post caps. You will
likely need to cut the balusters at the same angle as the railing to allow
them to fit properly. Remember, the handrail will be secured on top of the two
RSBs that are snapped together and fastened to each post in the same way as
they were for the bottom rail. (See Illustration M)
(Note: When installing the screws into top rail, have an additional person,
hold the rail tightly to the post. This will prevent a large gap from
forming.) Additional parts are available through your local Trex dealer.
|
Trex Tip:
For tighter fit, cut balusters and the top of the support blocks at the
angle of the stairs. |
