Loading

How to Install Composite Deck & Porch Railings

Composite guard railings offer a low-maintenance option for railing. Most low-maintenance decking manufacturers offer one or more railing systems to compliment their flooring products. You will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of colors, styles and options. These systems are available in kits that are relatively easy to install. 

These systems use 4x4 pressure-treated wood posts covered by a sleeve and mounted to either the inside or outside of the frame. Each railing section can be easily installed between posts using brackets provided in each kit. Stair railing kits are also available for ease of installation. 

A beautiful deck rail.
PinterestSave
A beautiful deck rail.

This is a composite guardrail system with steel balusters. Most composite railings are sold in 6' and 8' kits. The 4x4 posts, post sleeves, post caps and post base trim are sold separately.

Shimming the post.
PinterestSave
Shimming the post.

Use a shim to adjust rail posts that are out of plumb. In this situation, we ripped a wedge off the right side of the post to use as a shim for the left side, making it plumb.

Deck Lighting Wires.
PinterestSave
Deck Lighting Wires.

For low-voltage post lighting, pull wires through the post sleeves before securing them. Pull wires to the corner of the sleeve to prevent puncturing with rail attachment screws.

The rail bracket.
PinterestSave
The rail bracket.

Center your top and bottom rail sections along the post sleeve. Then, attach them with the universal rail bracket. This bracket can be used for straight, angled and stair rail sections.

Buidling a Jig.
PinterestSave
Buidling a Jig.

Build a jig using scrap material to assist in drilling the baluster connector locations. The width of this jig was cut to 1 1/4" wide to fit inside the channel in the top rail and center on the bottom rail. The manufacturer recommends 4 3/8" on center spacing for 3/4" steel balusters. If you plan on tightening your spacing of balusters, make sure you order extra balusters.

Drilling with the jig.
PinterestSave
Drilling with the jig.

Set your jig to balance the layout of your balusters along the top and bottom railing. You may choose to center a baluster or space at the center of each section of rail. The jig makes it easier to choose the most attractive layout. You don't want a baluster installed too close to the rail posts. Use your jig to pre-drill the baluster connector locations.

We sell baluster connectors.
PinterestSave
We sell baluster connectors.

Install the baluster connectors to the top and bottom rails. Do not over tighten the connectors.

Top rail section.
PinterestSave
Top rail section.

For 45-degree angle rails, cut a 1" section as a guide to center the railing on the post.

Complex railing cuts.
PinterestSave
Complex railing cuts.

Use a scrap piece of top cap to set up your precision cuts. This will allow you to set up your saw to the correct position before cutting each end of railing one side at a time. This method can be used for the top and bottom rails.

Stair Railings.
PinterestSave
Stair Railings.

Use a scrap piece of top cap to align the height of the stair rails with the standard guardrails. You can also use this piece to test your angled cuts.

The rail follows the angle of the stairs.
PinterestSave
The rail follows the angle of the stairs.

Use a scrap piece of bottom cap to test angled cuts. The bottom cap slides over the top of the bottom rail.


Popular Railings Articles
Deck Railing Types

Glass Rails

Installing glass rails will usually require you to build the rail frame first and take precise measurements to custom order the tempered safety glass...

Railing Codes

Deck Railing Height Requirements

Understanding deck railing height is important for meeting code requirements. Learn how high you should build your deck railing.

Railing Codes

Deck Railing Codes

Learn about the building codes that regulate guardrails. How high do rails need to be? What are the rail infill requirements?

Next Step: Features Articles
Benches, Planters & Skirting

Deck Skirting and Fascia

Skirting can be an attractive feature that can be added to any low-level deck.

Lighting

How to Install Post Cap Lights

Follow our step-by-step instructions to install low-voltage post cap lighting.

Lighting

The Top 10 Outdoor Fireplaces for 2023

Outdoor fireplaces can make your deck or patio cozy year round. Get our recommendations for how to choose the best outdoor fireplace.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic

Deck Railing Types

How to Install Composite Deck & Porch Railings

Composite guard railings offer a low-maintenance option for railing. Most low-maintenance decking manufacturers offer one or more railing systems to compliment their flooring products. You will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of colors, styles and options. These systems are available in kits that are relatively easy to install. 

These systems use 4x4 pressure-treated wood posts covered by a sleeve and mounted to either the inside or outside of the frame. Each railing section can be easily installed between posts using brackets provided in each kit. Stair railing kits are also available for ease of installation. 

A beautiful deck rail.
PinterestSave
A beautiful deck rail.

This is a composite guardrail system with steel balusters. Most composite railings are sold in 6' and 8' kits. The 4x4 posts, post sleeves, post caps and post base trim are sold separately.

Shimming the post.
PinterestSave
Shimming the post.

Use a shim to adjust rail posts that are out of plumb. In this situation, we ripped a wedge off the right side of the post to use as a shim for the left side, making it plumb.

Deck Lighting Wires.
PinterestSave
Deck Lighting Wires.

For low-voltage post lighting, pull wires through the post sleeves before securing them. Pull wires to the corner of the sleeve to prevent puncturing with rail attachment screws.

The rail bracket.
PinterestSave
The rail bracket.

Center your top and bottom rail sections along the post sleeve. Then, attach them with the universal rail bracket. This bracket can be used for straight, angled and stair rail sections.

Buidling a Jig.
PinterestSave
Buidling a Jig.

Build a jig using scrap material to assist in drilling the baluster connector locations. The width of this jig was cut to 1 1/4" wide to fit inside the channel in the top rail and center on the bottom rail. The manufacturer recommends 4 3/8" on center spacing for 3/4" steel balusters. If you plan on tightening your spacing of balusters, make sure you order extra balusters.

Drilling with the jig.
PinterestSave
Drilling with the jig.

Set your jig to balance the layout of your balusters along the top and bottom railing. You may choose to center a baluster or space at the center of each section of rail. The jig makes it easier to choose the most attractive layout. You don't want a baluster installed too close to the rail posts. Use your jig to pre-drill the baluster connector locations.

We sell baluster connectors.
PinterestSave
We sell baluster connectors.

Install the baluster connectors to the top and bottom rails. Do not over tighten the connectors.

Top rail section.
PinterestSave
Top rail section.

For 45-degree angle rails, cut a 1" section as a guide to center the railing on the post.

Complex railing cuts.
PinterestSave
Complex railing cuts.

Use a scrap piece of top cap to set up your precision cuts. This will allow you to set up your saw to the correct position before cutting each end of railing one side at a time. This method can be used for the top and bottom rails.

Stair Railings.
PinterestSave
Stair Railings.

Use a scrap piece of top cap to align the height of the stair rails with the standard guardrails. You can also use this piece to test your angled cuts.

The rail follows the angle of the stairs.
PinterestSave
The rail follows the angle of the stairs.

Use a scrap piece of bottom cap to test angled cuts. The bottom cap slides over the top of the bottom rail.


Popular Railings Articles
Deck Railing Types

Glass Rails

Installing glass rails will usually require you to build the rail frame first and take precise measurements to custom order the tempered safety glass...

Railing Codes

Deck Railing Codes

Learn about the building codes that regulate guardrails. How high do rails need to be? What are the rail infill requirements?

Deck Railing Types

How to Choose the Right Deck Railing

As one of the most visible elements of a deck, railings add support, safety and style. Get tips for choosing the right deck railing at Decks.com.

Next Step: Features Articles
Benches, Planters & Skirting

Deck Skirting and Fascia

Skirting can be an attractive feature that can be added to any low-level deck.

Benches, Planters & Skirting

How to Build Deck Planter Boxes

Learn how to build planter boxes to display flowers on your deck that will look nice and hold up well for many years.

Building

Best Deck Stains

Looking to breathe new life into your deck by staining it? Check out our recommendations for the best deck stains to protect your wood deck.

Get more helpful resources delivered right to your inbox

Explore Articles by Topic