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Installing a Trex Cocktail Rail

Installing a Trex Cocktail Rail
By Katie Z.
·
December 29, 2021

If you host a lot of parties at your house or just enjoy entertaining family and friends, the deck is the place to be during those warm summer months for carefree outdoor gatherings. And if you live in a temperate area or are just a hardy bunch, your deck may be welcoming visitors all year long. Give your guests more room to enjoy your outdoor space—and give your deck a classy look at the same time—with the addition of a Trex cocktail railing.

What is a Trex Cocktail Rail?

A Trex Cocktail Rail, also known as a drink rail, refers to a railing design in which a deck board is placed on the top rail, creating a flat surface for guests to set their drinks and offering a comfortable place to lean while engaged in conversation or overlooking the view.

Depending on your preference, you can choose the same Trex deck boards that are used throughout the rest of your Trex deck, or you can get creative and opt for a different deck board in a complementary or contrasting color for added visual interest. The choice is yours, but note that Trex Enhance and Trex Escape decking cannot be used as the top board for a cocktail rail design.

Installing Your Trex Cocktail Rail

Trex Cocktail Rails are compatible with all three of the Trex railing lines—Trex Select Railing, Trex Transcend Railing, and Trex Signature Railing. We'll explain how to install a drink rail with each type of Trex railing below. Don't worry, it's easier than you may think!

Trex Select Cocktail Rail Installation

Important: Only use 4x4 pressure-treated posts (3.5" nominal square) and 4x4 Trex post sleeves (optional). Trex post mounts or joist mount posts cannot be used with a Trex Select cocktail railing.


Trex Select Railing

Before installing your Trex cocktail rail on your Trex Select deck, make sure your posts are installed, post sleeves and post skirts are added, the posts are cut to the desired height, railings are cut appropriately, and you've attached the foot blocks to the bottom rails.

Now you're ready to move on to the cocktail rail installation.

  1. Cut deck boards to the appropriate length of railing span, remembering to include extra space on each side of the deck board to allow for attachment to the post. Deck boards must cover half of the pressure-treated post to allow for fastening later.

  2. Place inverted deck board (top side of deck board face down) on a clean, flat surface.

  3. Place inverted Trex Select top rail (orient properly so baluster holes are shown top side up) on the deck board, centered in both directions to allow final attachment to post.

  4. Secure deck board to Trex Select top rail with 3/4" screws provided, approximately every 16" on center. Screws are to be installed inside the baluster holes into the deck board. DO NOT overtighten.

After you've completed these steps, you're all set to attach the brackets to the rails, assemble the railing sections, install the railing sections to the posts, and attach the deck board to the posts. Be sure to use the Trex recommended composite screws to attach the boards to the posts; you will need two screws per board end. 

For more detailed information as well as visuals on this installation process, refer to the Trex Select Installation Instructions for Level and Stair applications. 

Trex Transcend Cocktail Rail Installation

Important: Only use 4x4 pressure-treated posts (3.5" nominal square) and 4x4 Trex post sleeves (optional). Trex post mounts or joist mount posts cannot be used with Transcend cocktail railing.


Trex Transcend Railing

Install your cocktail rail on your Trex Transcend deck only after your posts are installed, post sleeves and post skirts are added, posts are cut to the desired height, railing support brackets are installed, railings and baluster spacers are cut as required, foot blocks are attached to the bottom rails, and the universal bottom rail is attached.

  1. Place the inverted universal rail onto the railing support brackets. Attach the universal rail to the railing support brackets with three self-drilling screws provided (use three outer holes; do not use the hole in the railing support bracket that is closest to the post).

  2. Place deck boards over the Trex Transcend Universal Rails. Attach boards on each post with Trex recommended composite screws (two screws per post as well as each board end).

  3. Secure boards to universal rails from the underside of the railing into the bottom of the deck board with 1-5/8" pan-head screws (not provided), approximately every 16" on center.

After you've completed these steps, you're all set to place the baluster spacers and then attach your balusters and spacers. 

For additional details and visuals of this installation process, refer to the Trex Transcend Installation Instructions for Level and Stair applications.

Trex Signature Cocktail Rail Installation

Important: Only use 4x4 pressure-treated posts (3.5" nominal square) and 4x4 Trex post sleeves (optional). Trex Signature posts, Trex post mounts, and joist mount posts cannot be used with a cocktail rail configuration.


Trex Signature Railing

You're ready to attach the deck board that will serve as your cocktail rail to the top rail on your Trex Signature deck once your posts are installed, post sleeves and post skirts are added, posts are cut to the preferred height, horizontal fixed and swivel brackets are installed, railings are cut as needed, and balusters and foot blocks are attached, as well as the top rail and top rail cover.

  1. Place deck boards over the top rails. Attach boards on each post with Trex recommended composite screws (two screws per board end).

  2. Secure boards to the top rail using Trex Signature Cocktail Brackets. Ensure that there is a bracket at each end of the railing section, then space the brackets approximately every 24" and attach with four screws (provided). 

After completing these steps, attach the bottom bracket covers and you're done!

For additional information as well as visuals on this installation process, refer to the Trex Signature Installation Instructions for Level and Stair Applications.

Add sophistication and functionality to your deck by installing a Trex Cocktail Rail. It offers the perfect finishing touch and will be appreciated by everyone. If you're having any issues with the installation process, DIY Home Center is happy to help. Contact us today for instructions, quotes, and do-it-yourself tips.


Related read: Raising the Bar: Elevate Your Deck with a Built-In Drink Rail

Comments

krista diggins wrote:

In the first picture, how is the end of the cocktail rail finished? Did they bevel cut the composite board or is that a piece added on?

On 6/8/2023 10:41 am

John L. replied:

Hi Krista - It appears that the end of the Trex top rail board was beveled in the image you referenced, exposing some of the inner core. We checked in with Trex directly and they do not recommend that type of cut: beveling the edge could cause cracking or chipping of the polymer shell. They also advise against gluing anything to the decking ends because of the expansion and contraction of the recycled wood content. Trex recommends a straight cut and painting the exposed board end instead. Thanks for drawing our attention to this!

On 6/15/2023 1:04 pm