[heavy_d]

Hey guys

I have a porch build coming up that changed and now they want big PVC columns on their porch posts.

They want something like the 2 part tapered column in the one picture. However, with a 36" or even 42" rail height, it seems to me I won't have a good spot to connect the rail. I've suggested they go with something like the one piece non-tapered columns for ease of railing connection. These will also have stair rails connected, hence at a different spot again.

These columns are special order only, so I can't really physically look at them.

I dont want to refuse them the columns they want. I also dont really want to cut in a solid block which would possibly look funny.

Or I could put railing posts beside the columns but that would look crowded.

Anyone dealt with this and what did you do?

Thanks

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[META]

Will you have a base similar as in the 1st diagram? Those are within your rail height. 3/4" PVC is strong enough to receive and hold rail brackets or connections if you indeed have the base.

Otherwise, pre pack the area behind the rail connection on the bearing post.



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[heavy_d]

Will you have a base similar as in the 1st diagram? Those are within your rail height. 3/4" PVC is strong enough to receive and hold rail brackets or connections if you indeed have the base.

Otherwise, pre pack the area behind the rail connection on the bearing post.



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Thanks Meta but the question is not how to connect the rails. It's more along the lines of the guesswork involved in choosing a column that will have a suitable spot for connecting the rails.

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[META]

Maybe this will help with some ideas for clean look and rails placement.

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[Xtrememtnbiker]

Can you get anything from the manufacture's website regarding dimensions to figure out ahead of time if it would work?

 

[Spectre]

What kind of railing are you installing? If it is an aluminum railing you could install posts independent of the columns.

 

[Tom M]

I like the tapered column look. Will take some careful fitting. I would use something sacrificial.

Me personally would push for fiberglass. HB&G. If not I would build a skeleton over a 6x6 or 4x4 to hold things firmly. I view the PVC as a cladding and would bypass my screw connections through it.

 

[heavy_d]

What kind of railing are you installing? If it is an aluminum railing you could install posts independent of the columns.

Aluminum. Yes I could but they also want to use matching PVC Newell posts as the bottom of stair rail posts.

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[heavy_d]

I like the tapered column look. Will take some careful fitting. I would use something sacrificial.

Me personally would push for fiberglass. HB&G. If not I would build a skeleton over a 6x6 or 4x4 to hold things firmly. I view the PVC as a cladding and would bypass my screw connections through it.

Yes I will have solid blocking under the PVC where the rails will attach.

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[META]

Sounds like you just need to build columns to fit with the aluminum rail dimensions.

Not that I prefer it, but if you've ever installed Trex rails, you'll note their system is designed to connect directly to the PVC/Composite 4x4 or 6x6 sleeve covers without penetrating the 4x4 structural post.

If I was more custom, like in your situation, I'd bear on structural components as well.

The last aluminum rails I did had a nice system for plumbing the posts. It may be best to see the system first hand so you can figure fastening location on your columns. The aluminum system I used came with pre spaced balusters...kind of makes it more complex when attaching to sloped columns...

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