DECKORATORS ALX CLASSIC Tech Manual Download

Page: 38 / 77

Prior to construction, check with your local regulatory agency for special
code requirements in your area.

Common railing height is 36" or 42". Structural

support should come from either the continuation of deck support posts that extend
up through the deck floor or railing posts that are bolted to the inside of the rim or
outer joists.

Important: Never span more than 8' on-center between railing

posts. Install railing posts before deck boards are fastened to the joists.
Pre-drilling of all railing components is essential to successful installation.
Work area should be kept clean of debris, including metal shavings that can
cause scratching. Do not over-tighten screws. Read instructions completely
to get an understanding of how the product goes together and how each
piece affects the other.
Step 1

Determine the number of railing posts needed for your deck. Post spacing

is 6' or 8' on-center. Example: A 12x16 deck attached to a building with a 4' access
opening on one side will require a total of eight posts.

Step 2

Install rail posts prior to installing deck boards. 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 joist width (7-1/4") + decking
thickness (1") + railing height (36" or 42")= 44-1/4" or 50-1/4".

Important: Do not notch the 4x4 railing posts (fig. 2a).

Notching will reduce

the strength of the post and could result in railing collapse or failure.

Step 3

Position, plumb with a level, and clamp the rail post on the interior face of

the joist. Plumb again. The 4x4 railing post should be bolted to the inside of the joists
using two 1/2"x6" galvanized carriage bolts. Corner posts use a third carriage bolt
inserted through the adjacent joist

(fig. 2b).

Step 4

Install decking. Notch deck boards to fit around the 4x4 railing posts.

Step 5

Trim 4x4 post sleeves to length. Post sleeves should be a minimum of 1-1/2"

longer than the overall railing height. Allow an additional 1-1/2" in your calculation if in-
stalling the optional cap rail (fig. 3, following page). 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 desired.
Some wood preservatives may cause an undesirable reaction when placed in direct
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 having direct contact with
the treated decking and will be concealed by the post base trim. Slide a trimmed post
sleeve over each 4x4 railing post. Slide a post base trim over each post sleeve. Add
a bead of caulk to the underside of the post base trim when using treated decking.

Step 6

Measure the distance between installed post sleeves to determine the length of

the top and bottom rails (fig. 1). The distance between the post and first baluster should
be less than 4" and equal on both ends (fig. 3, following page). Remove an additional
1/4" on both ends (1/2" overall) for the bracket to fit between the rail and post. Trim the
top and bottom rails to length.

Cap Rail

Insert Rail

Support
Block

In-Line
Bracket (4)

Fig.3.eps

In-Line Railing Installation Instructions

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ALX PRO RAILING
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS