Correct Deck Railing Posts

PA woodbutcher

Searched previous posts for how they install or a "better way" to building a railing. I agree with Robert about they need a post sleeve. This will be my first "Correct Deck", but have worked with other composites and vinyl railings. Saw in another post that Robert was ripping down the fascia and gluing and screwing it to the posts....how has this held up and what are you using for a glue, PL?

Customer would like a traditional style of railing so she has someplace to put her beer. 1200 square ft of decking and 230 feet of railing, so would really like to make her happy and the dimensional material would go a long way with this. She had someone recommend the Timber Tech also, but not real crazy about the supply house that I would have to use. I know MAC and Chris have experience with both, any pros and cons you would like to kick around?

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BuiltByMAC

I'm about to put a handrail on my current project that has Fortress Iron posts and handrail sections w/ a TimberTech 5/4x6 cap rail. Fortress sells a part called a "Wrap Top Cap" which screws to the top of the handrail sections and has two horizontal "wings" which provide support for the 5 1/2" wide cap rail. Cap rail is continuous, covering the tops of the posts.

Have you thought about an option like that? CD CX for the decking and fascia, iron for the handrail w/ a decking board for the cap rail (gotta have the beer holder - it's a necessity!)
From other posts I've read, CD handrail components are difficult to work with. The nice thing about the iron is, it makes the handrail more invisible, esp. when it's powder coated black. Top/bottom rails are 1" square tubing, balusters are 5/8" square, posts are 2" square.

I haven't tried it, but I would think that wrapping the posts w/ ripped fascia would be a fairly labor-intensive task. Robert will be able to bring you up to speed on that process though...

That's a big project, guy! Good luck with it, hopefully you can come up with a design she'll love at a price she can deal with!

Mac

PA woodbutcher

Waiting for Robert to chime in him being the CD expert..Just wanted your opinion also as your work and attention to detail are fantastic. Also hoping to hear from Chris as he also thinks out of the box

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

BuiltByMAC

I presented her with an option of iron handrail sections in between 4x4 pt posts sleeved w/ TT RadRail post sleeve,cap,skirt for a beefier look. She ended up liking the idea of less handrail...
maybe on another one I can get those components all together - I think it would look kick ass!

Mac

RobertCDF

Well I do like the new CX posts a little better and have used them a number of times. The only rail kit I ever used is the display one on my trailer. It went together fine but I dont think I would want to try it on stair rails. I usually use CX 2x4's and deckorators balusters for most rails. Sometimes we go the custom welded route.

Ripping the fascia and gluing/screwing was a little more time consuming but not too bad if you just buckled down and got it done. I would set up and do all the rips and then set up a table and start putting posts together. Most of the time I could get them done in a few hours. I like the look of the fascia wrap better because then you have graining on the posts instead of smooth. Smooth posts get damaged more easily than grained posts.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

PA woodbutcher

Robert, what did you use as fastening adhesive for the posts? Have you stopped by to look at some of them that you've done a couple of years ago? Installing a cap doesn't appear to be too much of a problem, do you use anything for a skirt, or just bump them to the decking?

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

RobertCDF

I used PL polyurathane glue for it. I have driven past some that are a few years old and did not see any issues. Never been called back to fix any. I usually just set them right on decking no skirting reqd. I would cut the hole 3 5/8" x 3 5/8" so the post slid in easy and the fascia was 35 1/4" so it set the post height perfect. Block it bolt it and move on.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Bone Saw

never worked with cd, nice stuff, just not crazy about the colors though. I have to admit that I am pleased they still have a bona fide post rather than a sleeve, as i like to put my railing outboard, cd it would be nice if that hollow post had at least several inches of "solid" at one end for a nice outboard beveled look. man that is a big $$ project for sure, hope you get it man. TT is by far my favorite for now, but I would never steer my customers torwards twin finnish over trex, trex use to be one of my favorites, but I think their product line growth to quality improvement ratio is off to say the least, whereas tt product line and quality is great from one line to the next.
railing, I LOVE deckorators, their entire product line is just the cats ass and their rail connector is just the best looking/performing solution to custom rails hands down, definitely ditch the baluster connectors for a plunge jig, will speed railing installation off the hook

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MartyCD

Woodbutcher - sorry to be slow to post - been making hay (no joke! a nod to being a farmer as a kid).
On the 6x6/sleeveover - we know... working on it.
For the railing, I assume you saw the 'DCL' railing (dimensional composite lumber)? That is the way to make a cocktail rail as the client wants. Let me know I can send samples etc. You can use the 2x4's vertically top and bottom, with Fortress/Deckorators or as desired balusters, then cap it with another 2x4 or with our 'dock plank' which is essentially a 2x6 for an extra large top which is good for flowerpots, Fosters Lager, etc.
Marty

PA woodbutcher

I dropped you a PM...thanks. I am looking forward to using the Correct Deck Line. The dimensional lumber kinda had me. I've used the GeoDeck, Best Deck and Azek a far as plastics and composites, all with vinyl railing systems.

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan