We've gathered the most commonly asked questions about Color Guard Railing Systems. If you have a question that isn't on this list, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist.
The Lincoln Aluminum Rail System is part of Color Guard's aluminum railing portfolio. It's stylish, easy to order, and easy to install. This fully-kitted deck railing solution was engineered for durability and designed to enhance any outdoor living space. The extruded 6-63-T5 aluminum features a non-glossy, textured, powder-coated finish with rust-resistant construction that exceeds IRC codes. The sleek design of its contoured top rail and square balusters complements any deck or porch project.
Yes, Color Guard Lincoln aluminum railing is true to length. For example, a 6-foot rail kit is exactly 72" long (6'). Keep this in mind when installing between two posts.
A Lincoln Aluminum Rail Kit includes everything needed for one section of railing between two posts — top/bottom rails, balusters, rail inserts, support block(s), mounting brackets, and hardware. Aluminum post kits and post sleeves are purchased separately.
Lincoln Aluminum Railing comes in a variety of lengths. For a 36" final rail height, level rail kits come in 4', 5', 6', 7', & 8' lengths; fixed stair rail kits come in 6' & 8' lengths; and adjustable stair rail kits come in 4', 5', 6', 7', & 8' lengths. For a 42" final rail height, level kits come in 4', 5', 6', 7', & 8' lengths; and adjustable stair rail kits come in 6' & 8' lengths. The white/black combination Lincoln railing is a bit different. For a 36" final rail height, level kits come in 4', 6', & 8' lengths; fixed stair rail kits come in 6' & 8' lengths; and adjustable stair rail kits come in 6' & 8' lengths. For a 42" final rail height, level kits come in 4', 6', & 8' lengths.
For both aluminum and vinyl Color Guard railing systems, Color Guard recommends using a mild detergent (such as Dawn) and a soft cloth. They do not recommend polishing railing products.
Because of the properties of aluminum, Color Guard Lincoln aluminum railing should not rust. Plus, Color Guard products are coated to resist corrosion.
Color Guard Inc. warrants that its aluminum railing products are free from manufacturing defects in materials for a period of 15 years. Installations within one mile of where the atmosphere is influenced by bodies of saltwater or other contaminant conditions will be limited to one year against cracking, chipping, or peeling.
Click here for more information on Color Guard's aluminum railing warranty.
Color Guard's Lincoln Aluminum Rail System and Grand Prix Aluminum Rail System are virtually identical—the only difference is the shape of the balusters that come with each system. The Lincoln Aluminum Rail System has square balusters, while the Grand Prix Aluminum Rail System has round balusters. The rest of the components (and installation process) are exactly the same between the two railing systems.
Yes, extra brackets for Lincoln aluminum railing, along with other accessories, can be found here.
Yes, individual replacement balusters for Lincoln aluminum railing are able to be purchased.
The first two drink rail brackets should be placed beside the top rail brackets at each end of the rail. Additional drink rail brackets should be placed at 2-foot intervals across the top of the rail.
Click here for the Lincoln Straight / Level Rail installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here view the Color Guard 3x3 Blank Aluminum Post installation instructions.
Click here for the Lincoln Aluminum Gate installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here to view the Drink Rail Bracket installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Variable Angle Wedge Rail Bracket Kit was designed for custom decks to allow installers to adjust the angle of a deck rail from 0 to 50 degrees. The wedge is only required for angles over 36 degrees. The Variable Angle Wedge Bracket Kit is compatible with Color Guard Lincoln or Grand Prix aluminum rail systems.
Click here to view the Variable Angle Wedge Rail Bracket Kit installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Grand Prix Aluminum Rail System is part of Color Guard's aluminum railing portfolio. It's stylish, easy to order, and easy to install. This fully-kitted deck railing solution was engineered for durability and designed to enhance any outdoor living space. The extruded 6-63-T5 aluminum features a non-glossy, textured, powder-coated finish with rust-resistant construction that exceeds IRC codes. The sleek design of its contoured top rail and round balusters complements any deck or porch project.
Yes, Color Guard Grand Prix aluminum railing is true to length. For example, a 6-foot rail kit is exactly 72" long (6'). Keep this in mind when installing between two posts.
A Grand Prix Aluminum Rail Kit includes everything needed for one section of railing between two posts — top/bottom rails, balusters, rail inserts, support block(s), mounting brackets, and hardware. Aluminum post kits and post sleeves are purchased separately.
For a 36" final rail height, Grand Prix Aluminum Rail Kits come in 6' & 8' lengths for both level and stair applications. For a 42" final rail height, Grand Prix Aluminum Rail Kits come in 6' & 8' lengths for level applications only.
For both aluminum and vinyl Color Guard railing systems, Color Guard recommends using a mild detergent (such as Dawn) and a soft cloth. They do not recommend polishing railing products.
Because of the properties of aluminum, Color Guard Grand Prix aluminum railing should not rust. Plus, Color Guard products are coated to resist corrosion.
Color Guard Inc. warrants that its aluminum railing products are free from manufacturing defects in materials for a period of 15 years. Installations within one mile of where the atmosphere is influenced by bodies of saltwater or other contaminant conditions will be limited to one year against cracking, chipping, or peeling.
Click here for more information on Color Guard's aluminum railing warranty.
Color Guard's Grand Prix Aluminum Rail System and Lincoln Aluminum Rail System are virtually identical—the only difference is the shape of the balusters that come with each system. The Grand Prix Aluminum Rail System has round balusters, while the Lincoln Aluminum Rail System has square balusters. The rest of the components (and installation process) are exactly the same between the two railing systems.
Yes, extra brackets for Grand Prix aluminum railing, along with other accessories, can be found here.
At this time, Color Guard does not offer a gate to match its Grand Prix railing line.
The first two drink rail brackets should be placed beside the top rail brackets at each end of the rail. Additional drink rail brackets should be placed at 2-foot intervals across the top of the rail.
Click here to view the Grand Prix horizontal/straight rail installation instructions.
Click here to view the Grand Prix adjustable stair rail installation instructions.
Click here view the Color Guard 3x3 Blank Aluminum Post installation instructions.
Click here to view the Drink Rail Bracket installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Variable Angle Wedge Rail Bracket Kit was designed for custom decks to allow installers to adjust the angle of a deck rail from 0 to 50 degrees. The wedge is only required for angles over 36 degrees. The Variable Angle Wedge Bracket Kit is compatible with Color Guard Grand Prix or Lincoln aluminum rail systems.
Click here to view the Variable Angle Wedge Rail Bracket Kit installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Classic Vinyl Rail System is part of Color Guard's premium vinyl railing portfolio (and the most popular). This premium vinyl railing is virtually maintenance-free and has UV protection, so it looks freshly painted year after year. The Classic profile features a gently contoured top rail with eased-edge square balusters. This fully-kitted railing system is easy to order and is offered in multiple colors and lengths.
Yes, Color Guard Classic vinyl railing is true to length. For example, a 6-foot rail kit is exactly 72" long (6'). Keep this in mind when installing between two posts.
A Classic Vinyl Rail Kit includes everything needed for one section of railing between two posts — top/bottom rails, balusters, support block(s), brackets, and hardware. Vinyl post sleeves and accessories are purchased separately.
There are only a couple differences between Color Guard's Classic Vinyl Rail System and Tuscany Vinyl Rail System. The most obvious difference between the two systems is the balusters. Classic rail kits come with color-matched eased-edge square balusters, and Tuscany rail kits come with round black aluminum balusters. The other difference between the two systems is the top rail. Classic features a contoured top rail that will not accommodate a drink rail, and Tuscany features a flat top rail that will accommodate a drink rail if desired.
Yes, extra brackets for Classic cut-rail scenarios can be found here.
No. The Classic vinyl top rail features a gently contoured design, so it is not compatible with a drink rail configuration.
Click here for the Classic Vinyl Horizontal Rail installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here for the Classic Vinyl Stair Rail installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here for the Classic Vinyl Adjustable Gate installation instructions.
Click here for the angle adaptor blocks installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Tuscany Vinyl Rail System is part of Color Guard's premium vinyl railing portfolio.
Yes, Color Guard Tuscany vinyl railing is true to length. For example, a 6-foot rail kit is exactly 72" long (6'). Keep this in mind when installing between two posts.
A Tuscany Vinyl Rail Kit includes everything needed for one section of railing between two posts — top/bottom rails, balusters, support block(s), brackets, and hardware. Vinyl post sleeves and accessories are purchased separately.
For a 36" final rail height, 36" Tuscany Rail Kit will accommodate most stair applications.
Color Guard recommends using a mild detergent (such as Dawn) and a soft cloth to clean vinyl railing products.
Color Guard Inc. warrants that its vinyl products are free from manufacturing defects that result in peeling, flaking, cracking, or extreme amounts of fading or bleaching under conditions of normal use and service for the life of the product. This warranty is extended to the original purchaser only.
Click here for more information on Color Guard's vinyl railing warranty.
There are only a couple differences between Color Guard's Tuscany Vinyl Rail System and Classic Vinyl Rail System. The most obvious difference between the two systems is the balusters. Tuscany rail kits come with round black aluminum balusters, and Classic rail kits come with color-matched eased-edge square balusters. The other difference between the two systems is the top rail. Tuscany features a flat top rail that can accommodate a drink rail if desired, and Classic features a contoured top rail that will not accommodate a drink rail.
Yes, extra brackets for Tuscany cut-rail scenarios can be found here.
Yes. Tuscany vinyl railing features a practical flat top rail that provides a functional surface for plants or beverages and is compatible with the Tuscany Drink Rail Bracket Kit if adding a deck board to the top rail is desired.
Click here for the Tuscany Vinyl Horizontal Rail installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here for the Tuscany Vinyl Stair Rail installation instructions.
Click here for the Tuscany Vinyl Adjustable Gate installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Click here for the angle adaptor blocks installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Patriot Post Mount is a steel post mount used to add or replace a deck post (or when stationary posts are not available). An industry leader for strength and functionality, it mounts to wood, concrete, or composite surfaces. The Patriot works with 36" or 42" rail heights and fits nominal 4" x 4" and 6" x 6" sleeves. For 6" x 6", the use of the Filler Kit (sold separately) is required.
Click here to view the Patriot Post Mount installation instructions, or watch the video below.
The Patriot Post Mount can be installed into wood, concrete, or composite surfaces. That said, Color Guard does not suggest securing the Patriot to deck boards alone. They recommend using a pair of 2x8s on their side attached to the deck framework as blocking so that the post is secured to something more structurally sound than just the deck boards. Color Guard also makes a Patriot Under-Deck Anchoring Plate that can be purchased separately from the Patriot Post Mount for this exact scenario/application.
Yes. If your concrete patio doesn’t already have posts built in, we recommend using the Patriot Post Mount. Installation is basically the same as installing it into a normal wood deck, except that you will be drilling into concrete, so you'll need a masonry drill bit.
Yes, Color Guard offers two styles of solar post caps: Apollo and Neptune. Both styles are a vinyl material with a metallic/ceramic powder-coat finish and are compatible with the Color Guard aluminum blank posts and post sleeves.
The Apollo Solar Post Cap features 6 lumens of downlighting. The 3" x 3" option is for use with the Color Guard 3" x 3" Aluminum Blank Post Kit and the 4" x 4" option is for use with the Color Guard 4" x 4" Aluminum Post Sleeve.
The Neptune Solar Post Cap features 3 lumens of halo lighting that illuminates on all sides. The 3" x 3" option is for use with the Color Guard 3" x 3" Aluminum Blank Post Kit, and the 4" x 4" & 6" x 6" options are for use with for use with the Color Guard Aluminum Post Sleeve. The 3-5⁄8” x 3-5⁄8” size is for use with a nominal 4x4 wood post, and the 5-5⁄8” x 5-5⁄8” size is for use with a nominal 6x6 wood post.
Installation instructions to meet all requirements of a secondary handrail can be found here.
The maximum recommended spacing of brackets for secondary handrail is 8 feet, and there should be one bracket in the middle of each 8-foot run. For more information, you can find the installation instructions here.
Click here to view the post wrap installation instructions, or watch the video below.
Color Guard does not recommend painting post wraps, as there has not been testing done on that process and it could void the warranty.