6 ft. Railing Sections; 36 and 42" Railing Height
Install
Posts The maximum post span for a Trex Designer Railing kit is 72" on
center. Attach the 4x4 pressure treated post (if using Trex 4x4 Post Sleeve)
or Trex 4x4 solid Railpost to the rim joists with (2) 1/2" diameter carriage
bolts. (Note: Finished post height with post cap may be
adjusted for personal preference and appearance. Please note whether a 36" or
42" railing is being installed. Do not notch posts.) Bolts must be
vertically spaced 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.
Install
Post Sleeves
(If using Trex 4x4 Post Sleeves)
Slide post sleeve over 4x4 pressure treated post and rest
on the
deck surface. (See Illustration A)
(Note: Do not use post sleeves as a structural post.
Depending upon the size of the P/T post, shims may be required between the
post and the 4x4 P/T post to create a better fit.)
Post
Skirts
If Trex Post Skirts were purchased, slide them over each post, resting them on
the surface of the deck. (See Illustration B)
Set
Railing Support Brackets (RSB)
Insert two RSB’s into the appropriate TrexExpress Rail Assembly Tool (for Trex
Solid 4x4’s or Trex Designer Post Sleeves). Wrap the assembly tool around the
post with the arrows on
the
Horizontal label pointing up. (Note: If Post Skirts are
in place, rest the bottom of the tool on top of the skirt. If skirts are not
being used, place a 1 1/4" shim under the tool.) Attach each RSB to the
post using (2) 1 5/8" screws. Repeat this step until all horizontal sections
of rail are complete. (See Illustration C)
(Note: If assembly tool is not available, place the
bottom and top brackets at 4" and 35 1/2" respectively from the deck surface.
The brackets are installed with the sloped surface facing down. Measurements
are to the top of the bracket.)
STEP
4(Alternative): Set RSB for 42" Rail Height
For 42" railing height, insert two RSB's into the TrexExpress Rail Assembly
Tool. Wrap the assembly tool around the post with the arrows on the Horizontal
label pointing up. (Note: If Post Skirts are in place,
rest the bottom of the tool on top of the skirt. If skirts are not being used,
place a 1 1/4" shim under the tool.) Attach
the lower
RSB to the post using (2) 1 5/8" screws. Remove the tool from the lower
bracket, and then reposition the top of the tool 6" above the previous
position. Finally, secure the upper RSB to the post using (2) 1 5/8" screws.
(Note: If assembly tool is not available, place the
bottom and top brackets at 4" and 41 1/2" respectively from the deck surface.
The brackets are installed with the sloped surface facing down. Measurements
are to the top of the bracket.)
Handrail
Layout and Baluster Spacing
Place the bottom rail on its side; ensuring the side with the lip is up.
Position the assembly tool, with the legs facing up, next to the bottom rail
and set the balusters in designated slots. Then insert the balusters into the
channel of the top rail. (See Illustration D)
Align top and bottom rails, making sure the distance from the end of the top
and bottom rail to the first baluster are equal on both ends.
(Note: If Railing
Assembly Tool is not available, maximum spacing is 5" on center or 3 5/8"
between balusters.)
Securing
Balusters to Bottom Rail
With the assembly tool next to bottom rail, hold the baluster in contact with
the lip of the bottom rail and nail through the underside of the bottom rail
into each baluster. (See Illustration E)
(Note: For added stability, pre-drill thru the bottom
rail into the baluster and attach with a #8 - 2" screw. Groove in the bottom
rail indicates the center location of the baluster for nailing.)
Securing
Balusters to Handrail
Slide the assembly tool up next to the top rail. Check the alignment so it is
the same distance from the
first
baluster as the bottom rail. Secure each baluster through the lower side
portion of the handrail into each baluster using a 2"-16 gauge nail.
(See Illustration F) (Note: For added
stability, nail through both sides of the handrail. Hold nail gun
perpendicular to baluster to be sure the nail drives securely into the
baluster.)
Attach
Support Blocks
Nail through the sides of the bottom rail into the support blocks.
(See Illustration E) Support blocks are 4"
long and are required every 18".
Securing
Level Railing Section to the Posts
Place the assembled railing section onto the RSBs previously secured to posts.
(See Illustration G) Secure the top rail to
the post using (2) screws.
Secure
the bottom rail by installing a screw through the top of the bottom rail into
the outer most hole of the RSB. The bottom rail can also be secured to the
post using 16 gauge finish nails, toe nailed through the side of the bottom
rail. Position the nail 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the rail and 1" in from
the post.
Finishing Up
Final post height is primarily due to personal preference. Once determined,
the post (sleeve) can be trimmed. Be sure to cut the top of the post square
and finish with a post cap.
STAIR RAILING INSTRUCTIONS
6 ft. Railing Sections; 36 and 42" Railing Height
Install
Posts
Install
posts, sleeves and skirts (if applicable) according to the level railing
instructions.
Bottom
RSB Location on Upper and Lower Post
a. Determine length and angle of the top and bottom rail.
(See Illustration H). Trim and test the
rails for proper fit.
b. Position the bottom rail between the posts and set to proper height from
tread nosing. Support on blocks cut from scrap material.
(Note: Check your local building code for railing height requirements.)
c. Mark the underside of the bottom rail on both upper and lower posts where
they intersect.
d. On the upper stair post, center and secure the bottom bracket using (2) 1
5/8" screws (sloped surface facing up) with the top of the bracket on the mark
made in the Step 2c.
e. Center
and secure the bottom bracket (sloped surface facing down) using (2) 1- 5/8"
screws to the lower stair post with the top of the bracket on the mark made in
Step 2c.
Top RSB
Location on Upper and Lower Stair Post a. Determine the height of the
top rail.
b. Follow Step 2d-2e to install the railing brackets on the upper and lower
post.
c. Take a second bracket, turn it upside down and interlock it into each of
the brackets on the lower stair post. (See
Illustration I)
Cut the
Balusters, Top and Bottom Rails to Length Measure and cut balusters to
length with correct angle.
Assemble
Rail Section Follow Steps 6 – 9 of the level railing section to
complete stair-railing installation.
Securing
Stair Railing Section to the Posts Place the assembled railing section
onto the Railing Support Brackets previously secured to posts.
(See Illustration G) Secure the top rail to
the post using (2) screws. Secure the bottom rail by installing a screw
through the top of the bottom rail into the outer most hole of the RSB. The
bottom rail can also be secured to the post using 16 gauge finish nails, toe
nailed through the side of the bottom rail. Position the nail 1 1/2" up from
the bottom of the rail and 1" in from the post.
Attach
Support Blocks
Measure and cut support blocks. Nail through the sides of the bottom rail into
the support blocks (See Illustration E).
These are required every 18 inches.
Finishing up Final post height is primarily due to personal preference.
Once determined, the posts can be trimmed. Be sure to cut the top of the post
square and finish with a post cap.
