How to Install Trex Railing

Setting Posts

• 1

  Slide one Trex pressure treated post into the first blocking nearest the home until the bottom of the post is aligned with the bottom edge of the blocking. Hold a level against the side of the post and move the post in the blocking until it is completely vertical and straight.

• 2

  Drill a hole through the outside of the blocking, through the center of the post and through the opposite edge of the blocking with the 1/2-inch drill bit. The hole should be 2 7/8-inches from the bottom edge of the blocking.

• 3

  Drill a hole through the outside of the blocking, through the center of the post and through the opposite edge of the blocking. The hole should be 1 inch from the top of the blocking.

• 4

  Slide a 1/2-inch bolt through each of the holes. Secure each bolt with a 1/2-inch nut.

• 5

  Slide a sleeve skirt over the top of the post. The widest edge of the sleeve should be face down and flush with the deck surface. Slide the post sleeve over the post and push down until the bottom of the sleeve is flush with the top of the sleeve skirt.

• 6

  Repeat Steps 1 through 5 for each additional post.

Railing Supports

• 7

  Measure and mark each post 5 1/2-inches from the surface of the deck. Measure and mark each post 35 1/16-inches from the surface of the deck. The marks should be made on the interior of each post along the center of the post.

• 8

  Align one railing support bracket along each post so that the holes in the bracket align with the marks on the post.

• 9

  Insert wood screws through the holes in the railing support brackets and into the post to hold each bracket in place.

• 10

  Measure the distance between each set of posts. Measure, mark and cut two corresponding lengths of railing for each measurement. These pieces will be referred to as the "bottom" and "top" rails. Slide the bottom rails between the corresponding posts in the bottom part of each railing support bracket. Secure the rails with self-tapping screws.

• 11

  Identify the center of each rail. Slide a foot block under each center. Turn the bottom of each foot block in a clockwise motion until it fits snugly between the deck surface and the bottom rail. Secure the foot block height by inserting self-tapping screws into each foot block channel. Slide screw plugs into the depressions. Secure the bottom rails to the foot blocks and into the deck surface with wood screws.

Rails

• 12

  Measure the distance between each set of posts. Measure, mark and cut four corresponding lengths of baluster spacers. Snap an upside-down baluster spacer into each of the corresponding bottom rails. Snap a second baluster spacer right-side up on top of the first spacer.

• 13

  Insert balusters into each channel in the baluster spaces.

• 14

  Snap an upside-down baluster spacer into each of the corresponding top rails. Snap a second baluster spacer right-side up on top of the right spacer. Turn the rail upside-down and slide it over the corresponding balusters. Secure the rails with self-tapping screws.

• 15

  Coat the top edge of each post with a thin layer of silicone. Slide a post cap over each post top.

• 16

  Wipe off any excess silicone from around the bottom edge of the post cap. Allow the silicone to dry.