• Mitered corner joints with single corner post: cut each top rail
miter at 1/2 the total corner angle (i.e. if the corner angle is 90
degrees, cut each miter at 45 degrees) Center the joint over
the corner post. Add one splice plate to connect and stabilize
the miter joint. Insert the plate before setting the two rail sections
down of top of the post; use eight H screws*to secure the splice
plate to the rails. Also, on each side of the miter cut, screw an H
screw through the top rail flange and into the post face.
5) Fasten Top Rails: Secure the top rail to each post using two
H screws (one each side); Butt splices require four screws (two
each side). Screws should run through the top rail flange and
into the post face.
5A) Cut & Attach Wood/Composite Cap Rails (for Series-450 Top Rails only):
A wood or composite cap rail may be used with the Low-Profile Top Rail
(Series-450). Cut the wood or composite cap rails to fit the top rails (cap rails
supplied by customer). Pre-drill holes through the top rail and use G Pan Head
Screws from underneath. Alternatively the wood can be attached with con-
struction adhesive that has a minimum shear strength of 30 psi.
6) Attach Decorative End Caps: Attach the decorative end caps to all of the exposed top
rail ends using two A screws. This applies to 200, 300, 350, and 450 Top Rail options.
7) Attach RCBs: Locate the rail connecting bracket (RCB) holes on each
post (these are pre-drilled except on stair rail posts where all the holes
must be drilled in the field). Attach the RCBs to the posts using two K
screws (outside holes) and one M screw (center position). The RCBs should
be mounted wings down.
Most installations now come with the picket panel infill already assem-
bled, which can be trimmed to fit between the posts. The following steps
cover assembly of the components if you are not receiving the pre-assembled
picket infill panels.
8) Measure Bottom Rails & Top Rail Insert: Measure between each set of
posts just above the RCBs for the bottom rail length and just below the top
rail for top infill channel length. Record these measurements for each infill
section.
9) Cut Bottom Rails & Top Rail Insert: For aluminum picket systems the
bottom rails and top infill channels come with picket screw holes pre-drilled.
Note that it is neccesary to cut both the bottom rails and top rail insert so
that when they are installed their holes line up vertically and the final array of pick-
ets is centered evenly between posts. Additionally note that each picket has a built-in
screw chase hole which is located on the inside edge of each picket, not the
center of the picket (see diagram). Therefore, when installed, the pickets will not
be centered over each hole but instead will be offset to one side by 1/4”. Be sure
to allow for this offset when planning your bottom rail and top rail insert cuts.
Remembering the above notes, cut the top rail insert for each section no more
than 1/16” shorter than your corresponding measurements from step 8.
