Installation Guide
Step 10 Determine the length of the balusters. Figure 3 illustrates how a 36"-
high railing might be sized. Starting with a 3" sweep + 2" for the bottom railing,
29" baluster height + 2" for the top rail = a 36" rail height. Use 29" balusters
for a 36" rail height. Use 35" balusters for 42" railings. If you want to have your
railing at a different height, use figure 3 as a planning tool to determine the
height to cut the post sleeves and the balusters.
Step 11 Connectors come pre-inserted in the CXT balusters. Set the balusters
between the trimmed lower rail and the remaining inner rail and fasten in place
by driving the 2-1/4" screws included with the baluster kit through the rails
into the baluster connectors (fig. 5a). Set the baluster and rail assembly on the
installed lower inner rail, placing the upper inner rail between the installed upper
brackets (fig. 5b).
Step 12 Measure the distance between the posts and trim the upper top rail to
length and set on the assembly. Taking care not to drill all the way through the
upper rail, use a 1/8" drill bit to pre-drill four 1-1/2"-deep holes, equally spaced,
through the underside of the inner rail and into the underside of the upper rail.
Tip: Place a piece of tape 1-1/2" from the end of the drill bit. Do not drill past the
tape. Fasten cap rail in place using four 1-1/2" pan head screws..
Step 13 Apply construction adhesive to the inside edges of the post caps and
place over each post sleeve.
fig. 4
Post Cap
fig. 5b
CXTAttachment.ai
fig. 5a
Step 1 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
stair stringer width (7-1/4") + tread thickness (1") + railing height (36" or 42") +
spacing for post cap (1-1/4") = 45-1/2" or 51-1/2".
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. 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. Post sleeves should be a minimum of 1-1/2" longer than
the railing height to accommodate a post cap. 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 4 Note: The rails are predrilled. To ensure the outer balusters are equally
spaced, the rail components require trimming at both ends. Using the lower
predrilled rail as a guide, place it adjacent to the post sleeves and center the rail
so the furthest predrilled holes for the balusters are equal distances from the
post sleeves. Using the posts as a guide, mark the angle for the beveled
cut vertically through the rail section. Mark the gap between the posts onto
the rail and trim to fit (fig. 6).
Step 5 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 the
upper inner rail on top of the trimmed lower rail and align the predrilled 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 lower 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. 6).
Stair Railing Installation Instructions
(continued on following page)
Mark angle and length
of the lower rail using
the posts as a guide.
Outer holes should
be equal distance
from posts.
Minimum distance
2-5/16"
Cut inner rail
1/16” shorter
than rail at
both ends.
Align holes in rail
and inner rail.
Use lower rail as
a guide to mark
inner rail length.
4 x 4 Post Sleeve
4 x 4 Post
fig. 6