TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S

Tools You Will Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1. Locate and Install Post Supports. . . . . 5

2. Install Vinyl Decking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.Trim the Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4. Install Railing Sections . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5. Install the Stair Railing . . . . . . . . . . . 17

6. Install Rail Connectorsand Post Caps . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

7.Wall or Column Mounting . . . . . . . . 22

Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

T O O L S Y O U W I L L N E E D

Bevel guide

Chalk line

File

Jigsaw/Hacksaw

Post Router Template Kit*

Quick Drive® screw gun*

Rotary hammer drill

Utility knife

*Available from Bufftech

RE Q U I R E D F O R I N S TA L L AT I O N OP T I O N A L – MAY B E H E L P F U L

STEP-BY-STEPINSTALLATIONINSTRUCTIONS

2" hole saw

Carbide tipped multi-purpose blade

Carpenter’s pencil

Chop (mitre) saw

Circular saw

Drill bits1⁄2" (wood post support)1⁄2" masonry (concrete post support)3⁄16" (rail plate)1⁄8" (post cap)1⁄4" (end cover fastener)3⁄4" spade (fascia plug)

Drop cloth

Level

Power Drill

Safety glasses

ScrewdriversPhillips and slotted

Square

Tape rule

Wood clamps

Wrenches (sockets)3⁄4" (post support)7⁄16" (E-Z Set bracket)3⁄8" (rail plate)

D E C K A N D R A I L I N G

CertainTeed Corporation has received confirmation by the NationalEvaluation Service, Inc. (NES) at www.nateval.org that its vinyl deckand railing systems comply with the provisions of the three U.S.model building codes (BOCA National, ICBO Uniform, and SBCCIStandard), in addition to the new 2000 International Building andResidential Codes of the International Code Council. Thisconfirmation, as evidenced in the NES evaluation report NER-605,provides guidance to code officials faced with approving the use ofCertainTeed vinyl deck and railing systems under these codes.

IMPORTANT:

ALWAY S W E A R S A F E T Y G L A S S E S

W H E N C U T T I N G O R D R I L L I N G

C O M P O N E N T S .

45° LINE POST

G

Stair posts have widened openingsto accept stair angles. See postphoto below for detail.

2

B E F O R E Y O UB E G I NMAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE PIECES YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE JOB.SEPARATE YOUR FLAT AND STAIR PIECES TO AVOID USING THE WRONG ONES.

1 PO S T S

END POST LINE POST

CORNER POST

FLAT TO STAIR

CORNER LEFT

FLAT TO STAIR

CORNER RIGHT

LINE POST STAIR

FLAT TO STAIR

LINE POST

END POST STAIR

A B

C

D

E

F

H

I

A

FLAT POSTS STAIR POSTS

B

C

D

F

G

H

I

E

STAIR RAIL

OPENING

FLAT RAIL

OPENING

USE “I” POSTAND ROUTER

TEMPLATE

For an all-vinyl system,white Porch Post cover isfitted over conventional load-bearing porch posts.

POST OPTIONS

NEWELSQUARE

There are two post styles,

Square and Newel.

3

2 PO S T SU P P O RT S

FLAT STAIR

Post supports for stairrail are longer thanthose for flat rail. See table below.

Post Support Lengths

Deck & Railing System Flat Stair

3' on Wood 43 1/2" 54"3' on Concrete 37 1/2" 48"

31⁄2' on Wood 49 1/2" 54"31⁄2' on Concrete 43 1/2" 48"

SUPPORT PIPE

FASTENERS FOR

WOOD

OR

CONCRETE

2 E-Z SET

BRACKETS

Your post support kit should include:

Stair post supports are for F and I posts

RAIL CONNECTOR

PLATE (SCREWS

INCLUDED)

3 RA I L S

STAIR

Stair baluster spacing and holes are wider to account for racking.Racking is the tendency of stair balusters to come closer together asthe angle of the stairs increases.

FLAT

BALUSTER SPACING

BALUSTER SPACING

Rail Dimensions

3'=34"31⁄2'=40"

3'=27"31⁄2'=33"

31⁄2"

2"

2"

Top Rail Styles

Olympia Rail Century Rail

4

4 BA L U S T E R S

You can cut flat rail balusters down to make stair rail balusters. Donot cut on an angle; cut as shown above. When cutting balusters,cut 3⁄4" off each end.

BALUSTER LENGTH

Height Railing System Flat Stair

3’ 1 1/4 Picket/Baluster 331⁄4" 313⁄4"

3 1/2’ 1 1/4 Picket/Baluster 391⁄4" 373⁄4"

Flat rail balusters are 11⁄2" longer than stair rail balusters. See table below.

5 PO S T CA P S CO N T I N U E D

KING NEWEL CAP

BALL CAP

QUEEN NEWEL CAP

FLAT CAP - EXTERNAL

GOTHIC CAP

6 OP T I O N A L TR I M

Attach with two PVC Snap Cap fasteners. No fastener is necessaryfor internal flat caps.

POST TRIM

FLAT RAIL TRIM

STAIR RAIL TRIM

3⁄4"

STAIRFLAT

1 1/4 PICKET AND

BALUSTER

Rail trim is used to cover rail-to-wall (or post) connections. Useonly with wall mount brackets without plates. Attach to rail withtwo PVC Snap Cap fasteners.

TWO PIECE

11⁄2"

5 PO S T CA P S

FLAT CAP - INTERNAL NEW ENGLAND CAP

L O C A T E A N DI N S T A L LP O S T S U P P O R T S1 Tools Required

SawTape ruleCarpenter’s pencilSafety glasses

IN S TA L L I N G T H E RA I L I N G

SY S T E M

Mark the post locations. Wood postsupports are mounted directly to the joistsand secured in two directions: to the rimjoist and perpendicular to the rim. If thereis not a perpendicular joist where the postsupport will be located, insert a bridgebetween the rim and the next joist.

Before you install a post on a wood step,finish the riser kick plate so that there aretwo perpendicular surfaces for mountingthe post supports.

If you are mounting posts on a concretesurface or patio, use the concrete postsupport system. For in-ground installation,use the “ground mount” stair end post.

CertainTeed provides a template kit thatcan be used to custom route posts toaccommodate various railing layouts. Askyour sales representative for full details.

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS WEAR SAFETYGLASSES WHEN CUTTING AND ROUTINGVINYL PRODUCTS.

6

Once you have laid out the location of the posts, check thesubstructure to make sure there are two surfaces available tomount the post support. For example, if you run along thelength of a 12' deck and put a post in the middle, attach abridge board in the middle of that run from the rim joist tothe inner. Attach one side of the post support “L”-shapedbracket to the outside face; attach the other to the bridge.

Stringer

96" or lessbetween center points

of post supports.

Joist

Finished

Riser

RimboardBridging

To determine maximum stair

post support spacing,

lay a rail on the stringer.

ST E P 1. LO C AT E T H E PO S T SU P P O RT S

Locate and mark the post centers. For flat sections, make surethe post centers are no more than 96" apart.

For stair sections, determine if the rail will reach the bottomof the steps (or the landing). Place a rail on the stringer(make sure the rail extends beyond the top post support). Ifthe rail does not reach the end of the stairs, you will need touse an intermediate post. For a standard 7" rise/11" run, a 6'rail measures 57" horizontally between post centers. An 8'rail measures 78" horizontally between post centers. Centerthe top stair post within 4" of the edge of the deck.

Railings can also be mounted to walls or structural columnswith wall mount brackets.

ST E P 2. CH E C K T H E SU B S T R U C T U R E

7

ST E P 4. IN S TA L L PO S T SU P P O RT S

Posts are supplied in two standard heights, 38" (3' railing)and 44" (31⁄2' railing). Stair posts and post supports arepurposely supplied longer than needed to accommodatevarious post positions.

ST E P 3. DE T E R M I N E PO S T HE I G H T

Wood Structure: For all post supports, the top of the“L”- shaped plate must be LEVEL WITH THE TOP OFTHE JOISTS. If you mount them at the bottom, the pipemay not extend far enough to attach the rail lock platelater in the installation.

Clamp the post support in place.Make sure it’s level. Check itsheight relative to the vinyl post. Itmust rise approximately 1" abovethe routed opening of the top rail.Remember to allow for thethickness of the deck plank.

Use the post support as a guideand drill four 1⁄2" holes throughthe joists.

Insert a l l four fasteners .Tighten.

1"ABOVE

TOP RAIL

OPENING.

Tools Required3⁄8" drill One 3⁄4" wrench1⁄2" masonry drill bit Carpenter’s pencilLevel 1⁄2" washersTape rule SawSafety glasses Two 7⁄16" wrenches

Tools Required3⁄8" drill Tape rule1⁄2" wood drill bit Two 3⁄4" wrenchesClamps SawLevel Two 7⁄16" wrenchesSafety glasses

POST SUPPORT APPLICATION ON CONCRETEPOST SUPPORT APPLICATION ON WOOD JOISTMO U N T I N G

OP T I O N S

Recheck level; if the joists are notplumb, use a washer as a shim tolevel the post support.

Concrete Surface: You can also attach railing to a concretesurface using the concrete post mount system. Concrete postsupports have a flat bottom plate. Position them a minimumof 31⁄2" on center from the edge of the concrete pad.

To install the posts on concrete,use the concrete mounting plateas a guide to mark holes.

Drill the four 1⁄2" holes 31⁄4" deep.Clean all dust from holes.

Attach a nut to the top of theanchor to protect the threads andhammer it into the concrete. Leaveapproximately 3⁄4" of the threadabove the ground.

After all anchors are in place,replace the post support andtighten the nuts. Recheck that thepost is level. If not, shim the base.

In Ground: For a 3' rail, use a 72" ground mount stair post.For a 31⁄2' rail, use a 76" post.

Dig a 10" diameter hole approx-imately 30" deep or to the frostline in your area. Place 4" of gravelor dirt in the hole for drainage.

Position the post support in thehole. Install the stair rail section asdescribed on pages 17, 18, and 19.

8

ST E P 4. IN S TA L L PO S T SU P P O RT S CO N T.

Check the height and fill the holewith concrete until it isapproximately 2" from the top ofthe hole. Check that the post issquare and level. Tamp theconcrete with a wood 2 x 4 toeliminate air pockets.

Put two pieces of rebar in opposing corners inside the post.The rebar should extend from the bottom of the hole to 12"from the top of the post. Fill the post with concrete to justabove the rebar. Tamp the post with a rubber mallet toeliminate air pockets. Allow 72 hours for the concrete to set.

It is recommended to drill a 1⁄4" hole on the bottom side of thebottom rail for drainage.

Tools Required Utility knife1⁄4", 3⁄4" drill bits2" hole sawQuick Drive® Screw GunBlock of woodSafety glasses

I N S T A L LV I N Y LD E C K I N G2

WARNING:Due to expansion and contraction, installation of vinyl deckplanks directly onto Concrete is not recommended.

When re-surfacing a deck, remove all existing planks so that thePVC mounts directly to the joists.

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

The substructure for vinyl deck is thesame as for a wood deck. It should besubstantial and built with high qualitylumber. In general, the substructure for avinyl deck is built on 16" centers. Allstairs and all decks designed withdiagonal layouts should be installed on12" centers.

Due to changes in outside temperature andthe inherent properties of vinyl buildingproducts, it is normal to experience smallamounts of expansion and contraction ofthe deck surface.

CertainTeed vinyl deck meets theappropriate BOCA, ICBO, and SBC

building standards. Before you install it,verify that the substructure meets

all relevant codes.

10

ST E P 1. SPA C I N G

There are five options for laying out the deck.

1

Full run: Vinyl planks should be installed on16" centers. Build the substructure 3" shorterthan the plank length for proper overhang, 11⁄2".

2

Aligned seam: All seams are equidistant from theedge of the deck. Seams must be double joisted.

3

Uniformly staggered: Staggered patterns hideseams better than aligned seams. This illustrationshows a 4'-12' pattern, followed by a 12'-4'pattern. Repeating the sequence of patterns willcreate uniformly staggered seams. Seams must bedouble joisted.

5

Diagonal: Diagonal layouts should be built onsubstructures with 12" joisting. Seams must bedouble joisted.

4

Randomly staggered: Randomly staggeredseams use different lengths of vinyl boards in noparticular pattern. All seams must occur over adouble joist.

NOTE: When planning the deck, always attempt to run theplanks in a direction that allows for the least amount of seams.

11

For all but diagonal layouts and stairs, install vinyl deck planks onsubstructures built on 16" centers. The unsupported span of vinyldeck planks must not be more than 4" overhang from the edge.

Align the first plank on thesubstructure. Overhang thesubstructure 11⁄2" on each end. Markthe board for the post supports.With a 2" hole saw, drill the deckboard to accept the 15⁄8" postsupports. Lay the board over thepost supports. Square the boardon the deck, and attach the firstplank to the substructure.

Boards must be fastened every 16".The deck boards are fasteneddirectly to the substructure with#8 x 2" deck screws. Seat thescrews in the channels of the plankand do not over-tighten thescrews. (2 screws per joist.)

For faster application, use aQuick Drive* screw gun.

If you are butting two boards, theseam must be double joisted.

After the first run has beeninstalled, line up the next board.Gap it 1⁄8". Recheck the alignmentand screw the board to the deck.

*Available from Bufftech. Ask your Regional Sales Representative for details.

After all the boards have beeninstalled, insert the fill pieces,several at a time, into the channels.

Begin by pressing in the leadingedge; then slide a block of woodalong the length of the fill stripsuntil they are pressed in place.

Fill pieces should fill the entire channel but not overhang thevinyl deck.

The ends of the fill pieces should always coincide with theplank ends. They can be spliced into the deck channel,however always cut flush at a join.

ST E P 2. FA S T E N I N G T O T H E SU B S T R U C T U R E ST E P 3. IN S TA L L F I L L PI E C E S

Stringer

Tools RequiredChop sawCircular saw1⁄4", 3⁄4" drill bitsUtility knifeSafety glasses

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

Measure the edge of the deck. Leave 11⁄2" ofoverhang for the end cover. Snap a chalk lineon the deck to mark your cut. Cut along the linewith a circular saw. Make sure the edge of thedeck is straight.

T R I M T H E

D E C K3

13

ST E P 1. IN S TA L L “C” CH A N N E L ST E P 2. IN S TA L L FA S C I A

To finish the deck,install vinyl “C”Channelover the open plank ends.

Make sure that the edge of the deck isstraight. Trim uneven planks and fillstrips. Allow 11⁄2" of overhang for theend cover.

Using a chop saw equipped with afine tooth carbide blade, cut thelength of “C” channel you need.

Fit the channel onto the edge of theplanks, ensuring that it is square.

Drill 1⁄4" holes through the top ofthe “C” channel. Drill at 1'increments (in the center of everyother plank). Press the end-cover fasteners through the holesinto the deck.

For concealed edges (along thehouse), or to cover ends of fascia, cut“C” channel into “L” channel with autility knife and snap off. Installas described above.

Cut the fascia boards to length.

Drill 3⁄4" holes through one sideof the fascia until the drill tiptouches the other side. Do notdrill a 3⁄4" hole all the waythrough the board. For 6" fascia,drill one hole through the top andone at the bottom every 2' alongthe length of the board. For 3 and11⁄2" fascia, drill one hole every 2'.

Attach the fascia to the sub-structure with #8 x 11⁄2"screws.

Butt the fascia board as needed tocover the substructure. Miter cutthe corners or finish the ends with“L” channel as described earlier.

If using “L” channel, after theentire fascia has been installed,press end cover fasteners into theholes.

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

Begin the railing project by first installingthe flat sections. Complete one section ata time, working your way towards thebuilding. The post centers may varyslightly, so cut the rails ONLY for thesection you are working on. Do not fastenthe rail connector plates until the entirejob (flat and stair sections) is installed.

Tools RequiredBevel guideSawTape ruleCarpenter’s pencil7⁄16" wrenchSafety glasses

I N S T A L LR A I L I N GS E C T I O N S4

15

Work one section at a time,

working toward the building.

ST E P 1. IN S TA L L E-Z SE T BR A C K E T S

Assemble the E-Z Set brackets withthe nuts and bolts provided. Standthe vinyl post up against the postsupport. Using the vinyl post as aguide, position one E-Z Set bracket1⁄4" above the deck and the second 3"below the upper routed opening ofthe vinyl post. Hand tighten thebrackets on the post support.

Pressing the post against the sideof the brackets will help make surethey are square relative to the deck.Tighten the brackets with a wrench.

Slide the vinyl post over thebrackets. If you intend to use thepost trim pieces at the bottom of thepost, install them now. Snap themtogether and slide the assembledtrim down the post to the deck.

Note: When installing newel posts or for added security, the topE-Z Set bracket can be installed on top of the rail and the rail lockplate after the entire railing section has been assembled.

3" BELOW

OPENING

1⁄4"ABOVE

DECK

16

ST E P 2. IN S TA L L RA I L I N G SE C T I O N S

Measure the rail by laying thebottom rail between the postswith both end holes clear of theposts and equally spaced. Markthe rail 1" longer than the pointswhere the rail and post meet.

Cut the bottom rail, keeping thealuminum approximately 1⁄4"shorter than the vinyl. Use thebottom rail as a guide to cut thetop rail. To prevent interferencewhen installing T-rail top rails ona corner post, cut off 5⁄8" at a 45ºangle on the inside corner of eachrail. Cut only the vinyl “T”portion of the rail.

Insert the bottom rail into the post.

Lift the next post and insert therail into opening. Push the postand rail down to the deck.

Insert the balusters into thebottom rail.

Position the top rail over thebalusters. It’s easier if you rest thehigh end of the rail on the next post.

Pull up on the first few balustersand insert them into the top railholes. Push down on the top railand position it next to theopening in the post. The rail maynot easily push into the postopening until you have insertedseveral balusters.

Once all balusters are inserted,lift the partially assembled sectionand insert the top rail into thepost opening. Push the completedsection down to the deck.

Repeat this step for all flat rail sections.

Installing railing sections at a 45º angle. Place the E-Z Setbrackets over the post supports as described earlier. Toaccommodate the 45º angle cut of the deck, a bevel guidemay be useful because each bracket will need to be rotated toa 22.5º angle on the post support. Place the vinyl post overthe post support (and attach the trim pieces if you’re usingthem). Verify the alignment. Measure and then cut thebottom rail on a 22.5º angle at each end. Use the bottom railas a template and cut the top rail. Assemble the railingsection as described earlier.

1"

Tools RequiredSaw Jigsaw or routerTape rule Bevel guideCarpenter’s pencil Safety glassesSquare (optional)

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

When planning for steps, be sure that thetop step of the stairs is lower than thedeck surface because if you extend thedeck as the top step, the angle will be toosteep to attach the railing as a standardinstallation and will require an additionalpost. Also, check that the length of the railwill extend between the top and bottompost supports. If it doesn’t, you will needto add an intermediate stair line post.

CertainTeed posts and rails are cut androuted for stairs built at the standard 32°angle, but they can be used for stairs from27° to 35°. If the stairs will be other thanthe standard 7" rise/11" run (32°), youmay have to shorten the balusters andenlarge the pre-routed holes in the railsand posts. For small modifications, youcan use a file. For more substantialchanges to the posts, we suggest you usea jigsaw or router and our Post RoutingTemplate Kit.

If you are building a handicap ramp, youshould be able to use a standard flat railwithout having to field-route the holes ifyou build it according to ADA guidelines.

I N S T A L LT H E S T A I RR A I L I N G5

18

ST E P 1. IN S TA L L B O T T O M P O S T S U P P O RT A N D P O S T

ST E P 2. CU T BO T T O M STA I R PO S T A N D PO S T SU P P O RT

Begin the stair section by installing thestair post support and E-Z Set brackets.Do not cut the support posts yet.

Slide the vinyl post over the supportpost—do not cut the vinyl post either.

Insert the bottom rail into upper post.Clamp the rail to the lower post at thedesired height and angle. Measure thedistance from the point where the railand post meet to the stair tread.

Remove the lower post and transfer yourprevious measurement as shown.

Cut the post along your mark.

Use the previously cut stair post as a guide to determine the postsupport height. Place the stair post on the step next to the steelpost support. Mark the support at 1" above the top rail opening.Cut off the post support at your mark. Cover any exposed vinylcomponents that could be damaged by falling cut-offs.

X"

X"

19

To assemble the rail sections,slide the post over the postsupport. Insert the bottom railinto the lower post. You may findit easier to lift the lower post,insert the bottom rail, and thenlower the post.

Lift the upper post 3-4" until youcan insert the bottom rail. Thenslide the post and rail back down.

Insert the balusters into thebottom rail. Insert the balustersinto the top rail; then insert thetop rail into the lower post.

Lift the partially assembledsection and insert the top railinto the opening. Push thesection down to the deck.

ST E P 4. AS S E M B L E STA I R RA I L SE C T I O NST E P 3. CU T T H E RA I L T O STA I R AN G L EA N D LE N G T H

Lay the bottom rail next to theposts, with the end holes clear ofthe posts and equally spaced.Align the rail with the top of therouted hole on each post. Markvertical lines on both ends of therail where it meets the posts.

Measure over 1" along the angleon both ends of the rail to allowfor the extra length inserted intothe post. Remark the rail for thecut line.

Cut the stair rail to the exact anglethat you traced. Make sure thealuminum rail insert is 1⁄4" shorterthan the end of the vinyl rail.

Use the bottom stair rail as aguide for cutting the top rail.Line up the baluster holes, tracethe angles, and cut.

1"

ALIGN BALUSTER

HOLES

Tools RequiredDrill3⁄16", 1⁄8” drill bitsScrewdriver or 3⁄8” wrenchSafety glasses

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

The rails are connected to post supportsonly after all posts and railings have beeninstalled. Before you connect rails tocorner posts, cut 5⁄ 8" off the inside cornerof each rail at a 45˚ angle. Whenconnecting a stair rail to a flat section,bend the rail connector plate with pliers toaccommodate the angle of the stairs.

You may prefer to install the top E-Zbracket after the connector plate has been installed.

I N S T A L L R A I LC O N N E C T O R SA N D P O S T C A P S6

21

The plate has an oval cutout, so it adapts for stair angles. Whenmoving from a flat section to a stairsection, bend the plate with pliers toaccommodate the angle.

To install a rail connector on a cornerpost with T-rail, cut off 3⁄4" at a 45˚angle on the inside corner of eachrail. You need only cut the vinylportion of the rail.

Make sure the vinyl rail andaluminum insert project 3⁄4"inside the post.

Insert the rail connector plateover the steel post support asshown. Drill a 3⁄16" hole throughthe rail and the aluminum insert.

Attach the plate to the rails using the hex head screwsprovided in the post support kit.

The internal flat cap simply snaps into the post.

To install the external caps, drill 1⁄8" pilot holes on two sides of thecap. Insert the screw, washer, and PVC snap cap into each hole.

ST E P 1. IN S TA L L R A I L C O N N E C T O R S

ST E P 2. IN S TA L L P O S T C A P S

1A. CO R N E R AP P L I C AT I O N

AT LEAST3⁄4"

1B. STA I R AP P L I C AT I O N

FLAT CAP - INTERNAL

BALL CAP

NEW ENGLAND CAP FLAT CAP - EXTERNAL

GOTHIC CAP

For added security or when using newelposts, install the top E-Z Set bracket afterthe rail plate.

1C. OP T I O N A L IN S TA L L AT I O N:R A I L S Y S T E M A N C H O R

KING NEWEL CAP

QUEEN NEWEL CAP

Tools RequiredSawDrill1⁄4", 9⁄64” drill bitsScrewdriverSafety glasses

WA L L O RC O L U M NM O U N T I N G7

AP P L I C AT I O N TE C H N I Q U E S

Railings can be mounted to walls or columnsusing wall mount brackets. To ensure a safeinstallation, wall mount brackets must beanchored securely. Before wall mounting therailing, determine that structure is solid and thatthe fasteners appropriate for the structure areused.

There are two types of wall mount brackets:

1. With plate: Use this when you are mountingbetween two solid structures (e.g., twoconcrete walls). To account for the thicknessof the plate, cut the rail 1⁄4" shorter than theoverall opening.

2. Without plate: Use this when you aremounting the railing between a vinyl postand a solid structure. The rail will slide intothe vinyl post and then over the bracketcompletely.

Important: To ensure meeting coderequirements, be sure that the spacebetween the last baluster and the wall isnot more than 4".

23

Install the bottom rail, insert thebalusters, and install the top rail.

Drill a 9⁄64" wide hole through thetab on both sides of the rail. Fastenwith a PVC Snap Cap Fastener.

Do not over-tighten the screws.

Set the template to the desired toprail location and repeat the previoussteps.

WA L L MO U N T BR A C K E T S WI T H O U T PL AT E S

Cut off a 1⁄4" piece from the top andbottomrail to use as a template forpositioning the wall mount bracket.

Insert a bracket into the bottomrail template and position thetemplate at the desired railinglocation. Attach the bracket.Stainless steel wood screws aresupplied, but if you are attachingto a different surface, use theappropriate hardware (not included).Slide the rail and optional railtrim cover over the bracket.

WA L L MO U N T BR A C K E T S WI T H PL AT E S

Insert the wall mount bracket intothe bottom rail and center thebracket. Drill and fasten the bracketto the wall. Brackets with plates donot need trim pieces and arefastened in the middle of the railwith screws and snap caps.

FLAT/STAIR

WORKS FOR BOTH FLAT AND STAIR APPLICATIONS

OLY M P I A/CE N T U RY

BR A C K E T S

2525 Walden Ave. • Buffalo, NY 14225

716-685-1600 • 800-333-0569

Fax: 716-685-1172

www.bufftech.com

Care & Maintenance

Exterior vinyl building materialsrequire very little maintenance.Nevertheless, common sense dictatesthat builders and suppliers of vinylproducts store, handle, and installvinyl materials in a manner that avoidsdamage to the product or structure.

CertainTeed deck and railing is notdifficult to work with, but there area few precautions that you shouldknow about before you begin tounload and install the product.Always place p l anks , po s t s ,ra i l s , and accessories on a non-abrasive surface, such as a drop clothor cardboard, to avoid scratches.Protect all components duringt r an spo r t . F ina l l y, whenassembling the deck and railing,avoid over-tightening the screws.

Cleaning

CertainTeed vinyl deck and railingresists most common household stains,including oil and grease. But, like anyother product, it will get dirty when itis exposed to the atmosphere. Chalkmay also accumulate on the surface.This is a normal condition for allpigmented materials that areconstantly exposed to sunlight and theelements. Soil, grime, and chalk can beremoved with a garden hose and abucket of soapy water.

In some areas, mildew may be aproblem. Mildew appears as blackspots on surface dirt and is usuallyfirst detected in areas not subjectedto rainfall, such as eaves and porchenclosures. You can remove mildewfrom vinyl deck and railing with the solution below. CAUTION:CLEANING SOLUTION MIXEDAT GREATER CONCENTRATIONSMAY HARM THE VINYL.

Mix together:

• 1⁄3 cup detergent (Tide, forexample)

• 2⁄3 cup trisodium phosphate(Soilex, for example)

• 1 qt. 5% sodium hypochlorite(Clorox, for example)

• 3 qt. water

If the above solution does not readilyremove the mildew spots, purchase amildew cleaner from your localhardware store. Before you use anycommercial cleaner, test it on aninconspicuous area.

The chemical agents mentioned abovemay be hazardous to the user or to theenvironment. Be sure to follow allprecautions and warnings on theproduct label, particularly those thatmay be necessary to prevent personalinjury. Please DISCARD thesechemical agents in the mannerprescribed by the manufacturer. If youare unsure how to use or dispose ofthese chemical agents, contact themanufacturer.

C A R E A N DM A I N T E N A N C E

IM P O R TA N T

FI R E IN F O R M AT I O N

Rigid vinyl deck and railing are made fromorganic materials that will not burn ontheir own but melt or burn when exposedto a significant source of flame or heat.Consequently, owners and installers shouldtake a few simple steps to protect vinylbuilding materials from fire. Buildingowners, occupants, and outsidemaintenance personnel should always takenormal precaution to keep sources of fire,such as barbecues, and combustiblematerials, like dry leaves, mulch and trash,away from vinyl deck and railing.

40-40-80051

11/01 Certainteed Corporation