Trex Artisan Post Installation

Installing Posts

• 1

  Measure the height of the deck joists (the minimum recommended size is a two-by-eight) and the thickness of the decking. Add 39 inches for a 36-inch-high railing or add 45 inches for a 42-inch railing. Mark a four-by-four pressure-treated post with a pencil and speed square at the appropriate length and cut with a circular saw.

• 2

  Mark the 4-by-4-inch post 1 1/2 inches from the bottom, in the center of the post. Add the height of the joist to the thickness of the deck and subtract 1 1/2 inches. Mark the center of the post on the same side as the first mark at that measurement, starting from the bottom of the post. Use a 1/2-inch paddle bit to drill two 1/2-inch holes perpendicular through the post on those marks.

• 3

  Using a post level, have another person hold the 4-by-4-inch post plumb with the bottom of the joists against the inside of the rim joist (the outside band that wraps around the deck) with the holes facing the rim joist. Use the paddle bit to mark each of the holes on the rim joist. Remove the post to drill both holes through the rim joists. Counter sink the hole on the outside of the rim joist so the carriage bolt head sits past the surface of the rim joist.

• 4

  Attach the 4-by-4-inch post to the rim joist with 1/2-inch carriage bolts, washers, and hex nuts, with the head of the carriage bolt showing on the outside of the rim joist.

• 5

  Install the rest of the of the 4-by-4-inch posts around the deck following the edge of the rim joist at the appropriate distances. Trex railing is manufactured in 6-foot and 8-foot sections. Set the posts 72 inches and 96 inches apart from center to center on the posts. At this point all the decking has to be installed for the deck prior to finishing the installation of the posts.

• 6

  Break the screw tabs off one of the post skirts that came in the kit and slide over the 4-by-4-inch post. The post sleeve is then slipped over the 4-by-4-inch post and inserts into the post skirt. Do this for each post.

• 7

  Install the railing according to the manufacturer's instructions. After the railing is installed, slip another post skirt onto the post sleeve upside-down and attach with the screws that are taped to the inside of the Trex post cap. The post cap is then snapped into place over the post skirt. Finish each post in the same manner.