Tips For Installing An Aluminum Deck Railing

Do you want to install an aluminum railing around your deck to improve its looks and safety? If so, it will help to know some tips for installing an aluminum deck railing on your own. 

Determine Your Post Spacing

The first step should be to determine where you are going to place all of the posts for your railing. You'll want the posts to be spaced out equally, so it will take a bit of planning to make sure that they are evenly distributed around the perimeter of the deck. You should only predrill the holes to install the posts once you have determined every post's exact location. 

Center The Posts On The Deck's Frame

Your deck will likely have a frame around the edge with a top board that hangs slightly over. When you are placing the posts, make sure that you are centering the posts above the deck frame. If you install the posts on the edge of the deck, the lag bolts may end up going through the decking material instead of the frame. 

Don't Secure The Posts Before The Rails

It's important that you do not go around the deck and secure all of the posts prematurely. You need to be able to slide those aluminum rails into the posts before the post itself is secured to the deck. If you secure the posts first, then you won't be able to slide those rails in as intended. 

Create A Waterproof Seal With Silicone

One trick to creating a waterproof seal with the lag bolts that secure the posts is to use a bit of silicone. Simply apply some silicone to the threads of the lag bolts before you screw them into the deck frame. 

Use Spacers To Separate Your Pickets

The best way to ensure that your pickets are spaced evenly is to use spacers. This material will slide into the top and bottom rails and go between each picket. However, that last spacer at the end will need to be trimmed to ensure that it fits in the rail and the last picket cannot shift around.

Use Stair Connectors For Hand Railings

There are special brackets (stair connectors) that you'll need for connecting your hand railings. The stair connectors allow you to adjust the angle of the hand railing so that it matches the angle of your stairs. Make sure to use these to get the angle of the hand railing just right for your deck. 

The best way to make sure you have all the parts you need for your deck is to buy an aluminum deck railing kit to help get the job done. 

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