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Stair Installation Instructions


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Tools required for assembly

  • Tape measure
  • Metal drill bits ( 1/8” & 3/16”)
  • Level
  • #3 square driver bit
  • Power drill
  • 7/16” socket and ratcheting wrench
  • Safety glasses
  • String line
  • Miter saw with a carbide-tipped, multipurpose blade

Prior to construction, check with your local regulatory agency for special code requirements in your area. Common railing height is 36”. Never span railing posts more than 6’ on-center. Read instructions completely to get an understanding of how the product goes together and how each piece affects the other. Install stair posts during rail construction, prior to beginning the instructions below.


STEP 1

Assemble Bottom Rail

Insert clear plastic insert into the bottom rail. Snap the stair rail insert into the bottom rail to complete bottom rail assembly.


STEP 2

Cut Bottom Rail

Lay the bottom rail assembly on the stairs alongside the posts. Adjust the position to create equal spacing between the post and the irst baluster opening on each end. A minimum space of 2” is required to prevent balusters from interfering with the top stair connectors. Mark a pencil line on the bottom rail at the proper angle and length. Deduct 1/8” from marked location at each end to allow for clearance of bottom connectors. Cut bottom rail at marked angle.


STEP 3

Locate Rail Connectors

Use a string line to mark the rail height on the posts for reference. The supplied 32” baluster will give you an approximate 35” overall rail height. Most building codes require stair rails to be between 34”-38” from stair nosing to top of rail. Check for requirements in your area.


STEP 4

Install Top and Bottom Stair Connectors

Install universal bottom stair connectors at determined locations using two #12 x 3/4” stainless steel tek screws at marked locations (Detail 4A).

The universal top stair connector is set to a 35° angle. For installation at angles other than 35° , use a miter saw to cut the back of the bracket to the appropriate angle. Be sure to clamp the connector tightly prior to cutting, and trim the least amount of material possible to achieve the desired angle. The welded mounting plate inside the bracket must not be cut.

Install universal top stair connectors at determined locations using two #12 x 1-3/4” stainless steel tek screws at marked locations. Pre-drill holes using 1/8” drill bit (Detail 4B).


STEP 5

Install Top and Bottom Rails

Measure and cut top rail to the proper length. Loosen the temporarily installed bottom stair post and lean it away from the stairs to allow for installation of top rail into universal top stair connectors. Install top rail between stair posts and re-secure bottom stair post. Ensure top and bottom stair posts are level. Attach the universal top stair bracket to the top rail. Pre-drill with a 1/8” drill bit and fasten with one #12 x 1-3/4” stainless steel screw (Detail 5A).

Bottom Rail - Install bottom rail assembly into opening between bottom connectors. Attach the universal bottom stair bracket to the bottom rail on both sides using two #12 x 3/4” stainless steel tek screws (Detail 5B).


STEP 6

Cut Top Stair Rail Insert

Measure the distance between universal top stair connectors and cut top rail insert so that it will it between top stair connectors (Step 6).

The spacing between the post and irst baluster opening on each end of the inverted top rail insert must be identical to the spacing on the bottom rail insert to ensure the balusters are vertically plumb. The top stair rail insert will need to be cut shorter to clear the top stair connectors (Figure 6A).


STEP 7

Final Assembly

Lay the inverted top stair rail insert on top of the bottom rail assembly so the two lat faces are in contact. Insert balusters through the openings in the stair rail inserts and position balusters into a vertically plumb position (Step 7A). Insert all balusters.

Carefully slide the inverted top stair rail insert up towards the top rail (Step 7B).

Snap the top stair rail insert into the top rail. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap into place if needed (Step 7C).


Stair Runs Longer Than 6 Feet Long

For stair rail applications over 6’, a stair mid post and mid post connector kit will be required (Detail 8). Temporarily locate all mid posts at desired location. DO NOT permanently attach to allow for final adjustment and repositioning. It is recommended that you create equal stair sections on each side of the mid post if possible. Follow steps 1 & 2. Position mid post on stair tread to achieve the proper spacing of the baluster openings at ends of the railings. Run string lines as shown in Step 3. Mark and cut mid post. (Detail 8) Loosely install mid post connector into open end of stair mid post. Measure, cut and install all top rails. Secure the mid post connector using the screws provided. Pre-drill with a 1/8” drill bit and attach mid post connector to top rail using one #12 X 3/4 screw at each end (Detail 5A).

Install bottom stair connectors (Step 4). Install all bottom rails. Repeat the remaining instructions to install balusters and complete assembly.


System Evaluation:

  1. Deck Images railing products have been evaluated for structural integrity by an independent laboratory through full-scale assembly testing. Deck Images 36” high E2A™ Rail Kit Series railing systems were each evaluated with a total railing span of 72”, with 2-1/2” posts (6005-T5 Aluminum) on the ends, with a 5” x 5” x 3/8” base plate (6061-T6 Aluminum). Posts were secured to a solid wood deck structure using the Deck Images E2A™ post mounting kit. Refer to Deck Images E2A™ instructions for post mounting hardware speciications and installation instructions. A design professional shall design the solid wood substrate to resist the forces induced by the mounting hardware. Railing balusters consisted of 3/4” round (6063-T6 Aluminum) or 1/2” x 3/4” rectangular (6063-T6 Aluminum). Glass railing inill consisted of 5/16” x 6” tempered glass balusters (ANSI.97.1 tempered glass). The top rail was 2” x 1.92” with a wall thickness of 0.065” (6063-T5 Aluminum). Bottom rail is 1.28” X 1.59” with a wall thickness of 0.065” (6063-T5 Aluminum).
  2. When Deck Images systems are assembled under the conditions described above, the railing meets the guardrail requirements of R301.5 of the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC).
  3. When Deck Images guardrail is installed in conigurations other than described above, each installation shall be designed using numerical methods by a registered Professional Engineer licensed in the state in which the project is constructed. Sealed shop drawings shall be made available to interested parties to demonstrate compliance with applicable building codes.
  4. If Deck Images railing is installed contrary to the speciic assembly described above and sealed engineering drawings are not available, then the railing is intended for decorative purposes only and cannot be used in applications where a structural railing system is required by building codes.