It is the responsibility of the installer to meet or exceed all code and safety requirements, and to obtain all required building permits. These instructions are only a guide and may not address every circumstance. The deck and railing installer should determine and implement appropriate installation
techniques for each situation. Melton Classics™ shall not be held liable for improper or unsafe installations.
Step 1 Safety Precautions
Check all local building codes for design load requirements. VinylClassics™ Balustrades are manufactured to the standards outlined in ASTM F964 and has been structurally tested to meet requirements for Guardrail installations as outlined for pertaining IRC (Residential) and IBC (Commercial) applications as documented. Always use safety equipment when installing these products.
Step 2 Mounting Surface Preparation
Make sure all mounting surfaces are plumb. You may use a 54″ vinyl sleeve with square or raised panel (Design 503B-30 also has a Turned Newel). Wood post will need to be built out to match the inside measurements of post sleeve or you may use our Stainless Steel Structural Post. (Structural Post required with Design 503B-30 Turned Newel Post). NOTE: Base Trim Rings may need to be modified for stair rail.
Step 3 Lay Out Bottom Rail
With all mounting surfaces prepared, remove bottom rail from carton (Design 503B-30 Top & Bottom Rails are the same profile) and remove aluminum insert. Rest bottom rail on deck and bottom stair nosing. (See Figure 1.) Make sure distance from baluster to newel is equal on both ends. Make a vertical mark along bottom rail.
Step 4 Cut Bottom Rail and Aluminum Inserts
With bottom rail marked, deduct ½” off both ends of rail to allow for mounting brackets (see Figure 2). You may cut with a power mitre box or power saw. Next, cut the aluminum insert 3-1/2″ shorter than vinyl rail length. Use a power mitre box or power saw (see manufacturer specs for saw blade).
Step 5 Install Mounting Brackets
With rail and aluminum insert cut to length, slide Sleeve Over over both ends of bottom rail. Insert mounting bracket in end of bottom rail, hold flush with rail end and adjust so all screw holes are accessible. Slide Sleeve Over forward so it is flush with mounting bracket flange. At middle mounting bracket screw hole, measure over ¾” on Sleeve Over and drill a 1/8″ hole through Sleeve Over, rail and mounting bracket (see Figure 5). On one side of both Top and Bottom mounting brackets install one (1) #8 x 1″ self-tapping screw with clear plastic cap retainer. Snap cap over screw to cover screw head. NOTE: do not over tighten screw, the retainer may “cup” and the cap will not snap on. Set rail in place between mounting surfaces, center mounting bracket and adjust height. Mark screw holes in mounting bracket and remove from opening. Next, pre-drill six (per bracket) 5/32″ holes in center of mark. Set bottom rail in place and install six #12 x 2″ SS white head screws through bottom bracket into 5/32″ hole.
Step 6 Lay Out Top Rail
With bottom rail in place, insert one baluster in bottom rail closest to mounting surface. Pulling over to one side, insert baluster in matching hole in top rail (see Figure 3). NOTE: At this time if you wish to adjust the height of your railing, you may do so by cutting even amount of top and bottom baluster (maximum adjustment 5″). (TIP: On steeper pitch stairs, it may be necessary to cut the bottom & top of balusters at same pitch of steps to allow for deeper baluster insertion). Make sure you have equal distance from mounting surface to baluster at top and bottom rail. Make a vertical mark where rail and mounting surface meets (see Step 3).
Step 7 Cut Top Rail and Insert Mounting Brackets
Procedure for cutting top rail and installing mounting brackets will be the same as bottom rail. Repeat Steps 3, 4, and 5.
Step 8 Set Top Rail in Place
With top rail cut to length and mounting brackets in place, insert all balusters in bottom rail with wide part of turned baluster toward the bottom (see Figure 4). Slide top rail in place, starting at bottom baluster and working your way up to the top baluster. With all balusters in place, screw top mounting brackets in place the same way as bottom mounting brackets (see Step 5).
Step 9 Install Post Caps
With railing screwed in place, you are ready to install post caps. If you need to trim the tops of newel posts you may do this now. To install post caps, apply PVC cement or Silicone Caulk to the inside lip of cap and seat in place.
Step 10 Cleanup
You may clean up your vinyl railing with a mild household cleaner. For any stubborn stains, use #0000 steel wool and mild household cleaner.
NOTE: Depending on the pitch of the steps, it may become necessary to notch out bottom and top rail Sleeve Over if they cover baluster pocket, and top and bottom of baluster if it is in contact with internal stair bracket. It may also be necessary to cut the top and bottom of baluster to match the pitch of the steps to allow for deeper insertion in top and bottom rail.
