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How To Install A Vinyl Railing The
experts at American
Discount Fence
offer the following tips when deciding how to install a vinyl railing. A
Vinyl Railing offers the homeowner a maintenance free product plus
enhances the beauty of your home. Vinyl
Railings come in various styles so you can find that special look for your
home. Vinyl Railing can be installed in around concrete patios, directly
on concrete, directly on wood decks or balconies. How
to Plan Discuss
your plans with your local township to see if there are height or style
restrictions for the type of railing you would like to install.
Traditionally railings are installed to a height of 36 inches for
lower levels and 42 inches for balconies. Visit
a reputable vinyl railing distributor like American Discount Fence and
have them provide valuable insight and budget suggestions. What
is Available Vinyl
Railings come in various styles and colors.
They can be used for decoration, security or for safety.
The top rail comes in different widths and shapes so that they can
be easily held on to by senior citizens. They are usually supplied in a
box system that includes the top and bottom rails, balusters or pickets,
bracket kits with screws and caps. Post,
post caps are also supplied if needed. With
most manufactures both top and bottom rails have metal reinforcements to
add strength and stability. Railing
Terminology Top
Rail The top portion of the railing that you can hold on too. Bottom
Rail The bottom portion of the railing the holds in place the
balusters. Balusters
The pickets in between the top and bottom rails. These pickets can come in various styles such as square,
round, and other decorative styles. Bracket
Kits Allow you to connect the top and bottom rails with the post. Post
The vertical support that the top and bottom rails will be attached
to. Post
Skirt The post skirt is the bottom molding of the post to hide the
connection to the concrete or wood deck. Post
Mount The aluminum mount that is bolted to the wood deck or concrete.
The vinyl post is then placed over the aluminum mount for install. Site
Layout Take
time to carefully lay out your plan for the railing to be installed. An
incorrect measurement could result in problems later. Make provisions for
widths of the railing so that you do not end up with odd sized sections
that can complicate the installation. Before
You Begin Make
sure you have the correct post needed to assemble your vinyl railing.
In some situations, existing posts may be used, or if needed new
posts will need to be installed. Posts for the stairs are tipically longer
then the posts for non-stair sections. Getting
Started Project
tools and materials needed: Hacksaw
or miter saw, drill, tape measure and level.
Check all boxes of material to be sure you ordered everything you
need and that everything is accounted for.
Distribute the rails to the appropriate location for installation. Measure
Rails for Openings First
you need to measure the distance of the opening.
Mark the measurement on the top and bottom rail, verifying that you
are trimming equal amounts off of each end of the top and bottom rail in
order to maintain a uniform appearance. Cut
each end of the top and bottom rail at the markings. (For example, if your
rail is 4 inches longer than your opening, you need to cut 2 inches off of
each end.) Insert
the foot peg in the bottom rail for the desired distance for the bottom
rail to be off of the floor. If
a foot peg is not available, prop up or shim the bottom rail to the
desired distance. Installing
the Bottom Rail Slide
the mounting brackets onto the ends of the top and bottom rails.
Install bottom rail first by inserting into the opening.
Make sure the rail is level and then fasten the brackets to the
post or column with the provided screws. Inserting
the Pickets Insert
the pickets into the routed holes of the bottom rail. Installing
the Top Rail To
install the top rail, hold it an angle above the pickets and slide it onto
the pickets one at a time. Check to see if the rail is vertically level
and then secure it by screwing the brackets into the post. Adjust
the top rail side to side until the pickets are vertically level.
Screw one leveling screw into the top and bottom bracket on one end
of the rail. After
assembly install the screw caps (provided) to hide the screw holes. Post
Information When
a post is needed to be installed, some vinyl posts can go directly into
the ground around the cement patio. The
post should go down 3 feet into the ground with a 60 lb bag of concrete to
hold in place. Some
installations require a 4x4 pressure treaded post to be installed, then
the vinyl post sleeve goes over the 4x4. When
installing the post directly on the concrete patio or wood deck, a post
mount will be required. The
post mount is bolted on to the concrete or wood deck, then the vinyl post
sleeve will go over the post mount. At
the top of the post decorate your post with a vinyl post cap. At the
bottom of the post, use a post skirt for cosmetic purpose. Remember
to contact American Discount Fence when planning your Vinyl Railing
Installation. TIPS Why choose American Discount Fence?
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