Aluminum Railing - Panel / Post System...
There
are two types Panel / Post systems. The first uses
punched posts into which the ends of the rails are inserted. The second
uses Rail Ends to attach the railing sections to an un-punched (a.k.a. "Blank"
post).
This is an ideal system for decks, patios and the like where the railing is not necessarily needed as an aid to walking, but the strength and beauty of aluminum railing is desired.
Both are available in Residential / Commercial grade (3/4" balusters) or Industrial grade (1" balusters).
Panel / Post Styles...
Any of these aluminum railing styles can be ordered as Panel / Punched Post or Panel / Rail End. All are available in both 36" and 42" heights.
All railing panels come in standard 6' and 8' widths. We can also provide
shorter panels in 1' increments (3', 4', 5' and 7'). Panels can be field trimmed
to meet exact needs at installation time. If you provide us a sketch,
hand-drawn or computer generated, via fax or e-mail, we will do our best to
quote sections that come closest to your exact measurements. This will help
minimize cutting and wasted material.
Two Installation Methods...
This photo shows the two methods of installing the Panel / Post railings.
Pictured are the Panel / Rail End system (upper rail) and the Panel / Punched Post (lower rail) methods.
Panel / Punched Post Railing...
The Panel / Punched Post method uses pre-punched holes in the sides of the posts to hold the ends of the rails. This is the least expensive railing option.
It does require screws through the side of the posts to hold the sections in place (see the bottom rail in the photo above). In this case, then, there will be 2-6 screw heads visible in each post, but, of course, none in the Panels themselves.
Panel / Rail End Railings...
This method is a bit more expensive because of the addition of the rail ends, but does provide the cleanest look.
The Panel / Rail End method uses a special rail end that is attached to the posts,
but the screws that do so are hidden. As can be seen in this photo, the screws
that hold the rail end to the post are inside the rail end.
So, the Rail End method can have a completely hidden fastener look for the ultimate in good looks!!
The two exceptions to the hidden faster rail ends are installing between
existing objects (walls, deck posts, etc.) and on stairs.
When installing panels between columns a
"tabbed" rail end is required. One is shown here. Screws through the
top and bottom tabs fasten the rail ends to the column after the railing panel
is slide into place.
Stair railings always use Adjustable Rail Ends to accommodate the angle of the
stairs, see the Install Stair Railings
page for more info.
For a better understanding of how these systems work, see
Install Panel /
Post Railings.
Or, you may click Post Top for an overview of our other type of Aluminum Railing System.
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