Fasten Top Railing Cap

00 12 how to measure cut and prepare deck railing.

Fasten top railing cap.

Each railing panel is between a 4x4 post and consists of an upper and lower cedar 2x4 rail oriented on it s edge with aluminum pipe spindles every 4 inches. Attach the top cap to the posts using two 3 inch screws diagonally 2 inches apart. Mix and match post and top rail sizes. Install them flush with the top.

If you are working with wooden railings you can make top rails from 2x4s or 2x6s. Most designs have the top rail flush with the top of the posts so the post cap can rest on it. Get maximum visual interest from simple wooden railing by incorporating a 6x6 post at corners 4x4 post mid run. Fasten by drilling pilot holes and driving screws or nails.

To make a regular post cut two 1x4s and one 2x4 to the height of the railing minus the thickness of the rail cap. Screw the balusters into the top and bottom rails. For a more finished look bevel the bottom of each baluster. The deck railings consist of 2 x 4 top and bottom rails attached to the back of the posts a 5 4 x 6 rail cap and 2 x 2 balusters.

On your existing 2x4 top rail using a countersink bit predrill a hole 1 below the top edge at an upward angle every 18 or so. The easiest way is to use a 2 4 as a spacer. Screw the top cap to the top rail every 12 inches. The cap rail that goes over the top rail is grooved underneath to fit nicely over the 2x4 on its edge.

They can be placed flat horizontal or on edge vertical. The deck railing is built. Step 6 install the balusters. Install your cap rail by running 2 3 screws per end into the adjacent post run screws up from bottom edge of 2x4 cap rail into post to hide those screws.

Typical deck codes say that a railing should have no opening larger than 4 inches. 01 48 how to attach deck railing. How to do it yourself patio deck attaching railing and balusters. These run along the top of the posts and top rails.

Attach with structural screws not deck screws. Good to know make miter cuts at the ends of rail caps that will meet at corners. Run them along each post flush with the top. Sthe bottom rail is typically 3 1 2 to 4 inches above the decking.

Better predrill those holes too. Tip centering the cap on the rail if the railing cap is 5 1 2 inches wide and is resting on a 1 1 2 inch thick top rail with 3 4 inch thick balusters which do provide some support then to be centered the cap.