How Post Top Railings Are Installed...

How the aluminum rais are assembled Be sure to read the Existing Columns page to see how to install the railings between existing walls and columns, if you need to do that.

For a complete look at how the parts fit together, please see the Exploded View - Post Top Railings.

Posts...

Post Top systems always use 2" Blank posts (no punches). Thus, there are no corner or end posts.

Mounting the Top Rail...

Continuous Railing Post Top Mount On a Post Top system the Top Rail is attached to the top of the post with a Connector Plate.

For corners and ends, both a connector plate and a "cap" are used. The cap is actually a section on rail constructed as a corner, 45, or end that is mounted atop a post just like the Top Rail. The Top Rail then butts up against that cap.

Aluminum Rail ends butted together

This photo shows how that butt joint looks.

Attaching Middle and Bottom Rails...

Post Top systems use hidden fastener Rail Ends that hide all screws for Middle and Bottom rails. Rail Ends are not required for the Top Rail unless it is extending past a post and attaching to a column.

Post Top Stair Railings...

Stairs work a bit differently on a Post Top railing system. The bottom and middle rails still use the adjustable Rail Ends, but the Top Rail uses an angled connector plate and Top Rail Cap to start down the stairs.

One is pictured here. You can see how it is used by viewing the Post Top Railing Exploded View page.

Cross Over Cap used for Post Top Railing Systems
The Top Rail is mounted to the tops of the intermediate and last posts using a Cross-Over Cap, as shown here. This allows the connector plate, barrel bolted to a post cap, to tilt at the necessary angle to hold the Top Rail.

Stair railings adjustable rail end

The middle and bottom rails are attached to the stair posts using vertically adjustable rail ends.

The Post Top railing system provides the continuous Top Rail look that is a popular choice, particularly for deck or balcony railings or any commercial or industrial railing application.

To see how all the parts fit together, take a look at
Exploded View - Post Top Railings.

How Panel / Post Aluminum Railing Systems Work

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