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INSTALLING DRINK RAIL – LEVEL PANELS
FOR CLASSIC COMPOSITE SERIES RAILING
These instructions cover installation of the Drink Rail
(Deck
board Top Rail)
on Classic Composite Series Level Panels.
These instructions
DO NOT
cover the entire level rail assembly process. Please follow
steps 1-7 on pages 3-5 in TimberTech Composite Series Railing Install Guide to build
level rail assembly prior to installing Drink Rail.
The full
TimberTech Classic Composite Series Railing Install Guide
can be found at
www.TimberTech.com
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
Posts are in line on the top
. In some cases, due to deck service 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.
C. Follow all fastener recommendations clearly
and make sure that any fasteners driven down through
the deck boards and into posts make solid contact with the wood post. Do not use metal or other
surface-mounted posts which are not made of wood.
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 boards used in decking applications in which some spacing between
boards may be recommended, there should be NO gap between the ends of TimberTech 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 Post Sleeves 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, Post Sleeves typically
should not be cut less than 35.25". For
a 42" application post sleeves typically
should not be cut less than 41.25".
For all rail installations, post and post
covers 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
post sleeves are level and on plane
with each other).
TIP:
To ensure that the tops of all
post sleeves are level, you may use a
traditional 8 ft. level or a string line
to establish a common level across
all post sleeves and cut at that level.
Alternatively, you may use a laser
level to “shoot” a level mark on each
post sleeve and then cut at that mark.
For a proper finished look on Over-
The-Post Drink Rail applications,
make sure Universal Rail is even with
the top of the post sleeves. Prior
to installing rail assembly to Post,
ensure that rail assembly is positioned
(height wise) to eliminate any gaps
between Deck board and Universal
Rail (positioned on top).
TIP:
It may be helpful to make a jig
using a baluster, top and bottom
support rail, and a Universal Rail on
top and bottom. This will help set
the top Universal Rail at the proper
height (i.e. even with the height of
the post sleeve) ensuring a flush fit
for the deck board
(Dia. A)
.
Universal Rail
Support Rail
Universal Rail
Support Rail
Over-the-Post Applications:
Center and align top of Deck
Board with top of Post Sleeve.
Between-the-Post Applications:
Center and measure top of Deck
Board a consistent distance from
top of Post Sleeve.
Level Panels:
Mark bottom
of Support Rail for consistent
placement of Support Block.
Stair Panels:
Mark for consistent
placement of Mounting Bracket.
Mark top and side of Universal Rail
template for later alignment of actual
rail section.
Drink Rail (deck board)
Post Cap
Post Sleeve
Balusters
Dia. A
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This Installation Guide applies to
the use of this product in a Drink
Rail application. If you are using it
as a bottom rail as part of a standard
TimberTech railing installation, please
refer to the full
TimberTech Classic
Composite Rail Installation Guide
found at www.TimberTech.com.
