Installation Guide

Cap Rail
Insert Rail
To p Rail
Step 10 Figure 4a and 4b illustrate how a 36" high railing might be sized. If you want to
have your railing at a different height, use Figure 4a and 4b as planning tools to determine
the height to cut the post sleeves and support blocks. Note: Use a fixture to ensure a
consistent length (+/- 1/16").
Classic, Estate, Twist and Ellipse balusters; and Glass balusters using connectors:
Attach balusters to the lower rail by sliding onto connectors (Figure 4c).
Step 11 Position the top rail between the posts. Check for level end-to-end and vertically.
Mark the bracket location on post sleeve and remove rail. Mark the screw locations using
the bracket as a guide, and pre-drill using a 1/4" drill bit through the post sleeve only.
Attach bracket to the post with two 2" long screws at one end. Repeat for the other end.
Classic, Estate, Twist and Ellipse balusters; and Glass balusters using connectors:
Lower the top rail into position, placing the balusters onto the connectors while working
from one end of the railing to the other. Tap with a rubber mallet if needed to eliminate
any gaps. Attach the rail to each bracket by pre-drilling with a 1/8" drill bit and using
three 1" long screws. Tip: Use a driver extension bit to avoid marring the rail or post
sleeve with the drill chuck.
Traditional, Baroque, Arc balusters; and Face-Mount Glass balusters: Place the top rail in
position. Attach the rail to each bracket by pre-drilling with a 1/8" drill bit and using three
1" long screws. Tip: Use a driver extension bit to avoid marring the rail or post sleeve
with the drill chuck.
Step 12 Traditional, Baroque, Arc balusters; and Face-Mount Glass balusters: Start the first
two balusters 2-1/4" on-center each side of the center of the rail and work out to each
end. Using the baluster as a guide, drill 9/64" holes in the rails at each baluster location.
Use a 2x4 as a spacer block to space the next baluster. Working toward the ends, drill
and attach each baluster with the screws provided (Figures 5 & 6).
Step 13 (optional) Cut the cap rail and cap rail insert to length. (Note: the cap rail will be
1/2" longer than the top and bottom rails.) Center the cap rail insert on top of the top rail
and pre-drill seven 1/8" pilot holes. Attach the cap rail insert to the top rail with seven
1/2" long screws. Apply exterior-grade metal construction adhesive to the mating edges
of the insert rail. Position cap rail over the insert rail (Figure 7). Install by pressing down,
starting from one end and working to the other until the cap rail snaps into place. Gently
tap with a rubber mallet if needed.
Angled Railings: For 22.5° rail angles, cut the cap rail and cap rail insert to length and
angle using a miter saw. Sand the ends and apply touch-up paint as needed (sold sepa-
rately).Attach to the top rail following the steps above.
45° rail angles will require a cap rail wedge on top of the 45° adaptor (Figure 8). The cap
rail wedge will be cut out of the cap rail. The wedge will require a straight cut on the end
in contact with the post and a 22.5° cut on the opposite end. The distance from the post
to the wide edge of the wedge is 1-3/4”. Cut two cap rail and insert wedges using a miter
saw and install to the top of the 45° adaptors following the steps above. The cap rail will
require a 22.5° cut on both ends to match the width of the cap rail wedges. Measure the
distance between the installed wedges and cut both ends to length and angle using a mi-
ter saw. Sand the cut ends and apply touch-up paint as needed (sold separately) to make
the seam less noticeable. Attach the cap rail to the top rail following the steps above.
Step 14 Apply exterior-grade metal construction adhesive to the inside edges of the post
caps and place over each post sleeve.
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Step 1 Cedar or pressure-treated pine 4x4 railing posts provide the structural strength
for the railing. The length of each structural post is determined by the total of the stair
stringer width (7-1/4") + decking thickness (1") + railing height (36" or 42")=44-1/4” or
50 -1/4”.
Step 2 Position, plumb with a level, and clamp the rail post on the interior face of the
stair stringer. Plumb again. The 4x4 railing post should be bolted to the inside of the stair
stringer using two 1/2" x 6" galvanized carriage bolts. Corner posts use a third carriage
bolt inserted through the adjacent joist (refer to Figure 3b). Ground level posts should be
set in concrete.
Step 3 Complete stair tread installation prior to installing post sleeves. Trim 4x4
post sleeves to length. If using post caps, post sleeves should be a minimum of
1-1/2" longer than the overall railing height (Figure 4a). Allow an additional 1-1/2" in your
calculation if installing the optional cap rail. Example: For a 36" high railing, trim post
sleeve to a minimum of 37-1/2" (39” with cap rail). Post sleeve can be left longer if de-
sired.
Some wood preservatives may cause an undesirable reaction when directly in contact
with aluminum. The inside of the post sleeve includes a liner to prevent direct contact
with treated structural posts. If your decking is pressure-treated, place shims under the
post sleeve or run a bead of caulk along the bottom edge of the post prior to installing
the post sleeve. This will keep the aluminum from direct contact with the treated decking
and will be concealed by the post base trim. Slide a trimmed post sleeve over each
Stair Railing Installation Instructions
Figure 8:
45° Angle Installation
In-Line
Bracket (4)
Cap Rail
Insert Rail
Support
Block
Top View
Wood Post
2x4 Rail
Aluminum
Post Sleeve
45˚Adaptor
Stair Rail
Bracket
Cap Rail Wedge