Page 4
INSTALLING DRINK RAIL – LEVEL PANELS
FOR IMPRESSION RAIL EXPRESS
®
FOR BEST RESULTS WITH OVER-THE-POST APPLICATIONS :
As is the case when using wood, Over-the-Post applications using TimberTech deck boards in which
boards are mitered in the corners or that use butt joints mid-span are susceptible to those joints
opening up or separating over time with changes in temperature. While it may be impossible to
completely eliminate joints from separating, there are steps you can take to minimize the separation of
the joints. We recommend the following:
A. It is critical that all Post heights are aligned. In some cases, due to deck surface undulation, the
length of posts will vary in order to achieve a level sight line with your top drink rail.
B. Avoid using butt joints whenever possible. Utilization of butt joints may result in gapping of boards.
Good practice is to use a single 16' board rather than using two 8' deck boards
C. Follow all fastener recommendations clearly.
D. Before installing deck boards as drink rails, take all possible measures to keep the temperature
of the boards as low as possible. The cooler the board at installation, the less apt joints will be to
separate or gap. For best results and to minimize gapping, do not store or install deck boards in
direct sunlight.
E. Install all joints tight. Unlike wood boards used in decking applications in which some spacing
between boards may be recommended, there should be NO gap between the ends of TimberTech
composite deck boards when installed as a drink rail.
F. Not recommended to use narrow width (3.5") deck boards in Over-the-Post applications.
Be sure to cut posts such that
finished rail height is at least 36"
high for a 36" rail application and 42"
high for a 42" application. For a 36"
application, posts typically should
not be cut less than 35.25". For a 42"
application posts typically should not
be cut less than 41.25".
For all rail installations, posts must
be plumb and aligned with one
another.
For Over-the-Post applications,
it is also critical that Posts be of a
consistent height (e.g. the tops of all
posts are level and on plane with each
other).
TIP: To ensure that the tops of all
posts are level, you may use a level
panel or a string line to establish a
common level across all posts and
cut at that level. Alternatively, you
may use a laser level to “shoot” a level
mark on each post and then cut at
that mark.
For a proper finished look on Over-
The-Post Drink Rail applications,
make sure Bottom Rail Cover is
even with the top of the posts. Prior
to installing rail assembly to Post,
ensure that rail assembly is positioned
(height wise) to eliminate any gaps
between Deck board and Bottom Rail
Cover (inverted, positioned on top).
(Dia. A)
.
Bottom Rail Cover
Drink Clip
Support Rail
Bottom Rail Cover
Support Rail
Center and measure
top of Deck Board
a consistent distance
from top of Post.
Center and align
bottom of Deck
Board with top
of Post.
Drink Rail (deck board)
Post Cap
Post
Balusters
Dia. A
2. OVER-THE-POST
APPLICATIONS
IMPORTANT NOTES:
These instructions cover installation of the Drink Rail (Deck
board Top Rail)
on Impression Rail Express
®
Level Panels.
These instructions
DO NOT cover the entire level rail assembly process. Please
follow through step 3 on pages 4-9 in TimberTech Impression Rail Express
®
Install
Guide to build stair rail assembly prior to installing Drink Rail.
The full
TimberTech Impression Rail Express
®
Install Guide can be found at
www.TimberTech.com
.
This Installation Guide applies to the
use of this product in a Drink Rail
application. If you are completing a
standard TimberTech railing installation,
please refer to the full
TimberTech
Impression Rail Express
®
Installation
Guide found at
www.TimberTech.com
.
1. BETWEEN-THE-POST
APPLICATIONS
– OR –
