How to Assemble a Railing

Lay out the pieces of railing into groups based on their uses. Most railings feature strong posts, two pieces of wood that fit horizontally between the posts and the vertical slats that fit between the posts.

Examine each piece of railing for damage. During shipping, some of the pieces may sustain damage. Sand out and repaint any damaged parts of the railing to restore them.

Refer to the manual for the suggested procedure to put the pieces of the rail together. Some railings require hardware such as nails and screws while others may require nothing more than weather-resistant glue.

Attach the vertical slats of the rail between the top part of the rail and the bottom part. Use the method outlined by the manual to attach the pieces together.

Place the sturdy posts on either side of the assembled sections of railing. Attach the posts to the left and right sides of the top and bottom vertical slats of the handrail using the method recommended by the manual.

Stand the rail up and prop it against a wall. Examine the rail from a distance to ensure all the pieces are in correct proportion to each other and you are not missing any pieces. Press down on the top part of the rail to check the stability as well.