Universal Forest Products

 
DeckoRail
 
 
 
Aluminum Railing

DeckoRail FAQ

Product Information
Installation
Care and Cleaning

Product Information

What colors and styles does DeckoRail® come in?
DeckoRail Round balusters are available in white, black, taupe, stainless, green and bronze in both 26” and 32” lengths. DeckoRail Arch, Rectangular, and Contour balusters are offered in black and bronze. DeckoRail Glass balusters are clear to provide an unobstructed view of the landscape.

The metal post caps available are Copper Ball Cap, Stainless Verona High Point, Stainless Ball Cap, Pewter Verona High Point, Pewter Ball Cap, White Verona High Point, White Ball Cap, Brass Verona High Point and Brass Ball Cap. The glass caps available are Grapevine Tiffany High Point and Sunflower Tiffany High Point. The pressure-treated wood post caps available are Hampton Flat Top and Newbury Pyramid Top.

What preservative is used to protect DeckoRail’s pressure-treated wood post caps?
Our wood post caps are protected by CA-B (Copper Azole Type B), an EPA-registered pesticide containing copper and azole compounds to protect it from termite attack and decay. For more information, refer to the Copper Azole Safe Handling Information.

Will the finish on DeckoRail balusters peel or chip over time?
The finish on DeckoRail balusters is guaranteed not to chip, peel, corrode or crack for a period of 10 years. All of our balusters and centerpieces are coated with a protective powder-coated finish that resists chipping and peeling.

Are DeckoRail balusters strong and safe?
Yes. DeckoRail aluminum balusters are constructed of extruded aluminum and Glass balusters are made of 5/16” thick tempered safety glass.

Can I use DeckoRail balusters on my interior staircase?
Yes. However, this installation should probably be taken on by an experienced stair contractor only.

Can I get a sample of the DeckoRail baluster colors?
Yes. Simply fill out the sample kit request form and we will mail one to the address provided. Please note that we do not ship to post office boxes or outside the US.
 
What is included in the sample kit?
Our kit includes samples pieces of aluminum in the six available colors (bronze, green, stainless, taupe, black, and white) as well as our DeckoRail brochure.

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Installation

Do I need special tools to install DeckoRail Balusters?
A miter saw is needed to angle the Round metal balusters for stairways. For your safety remember to wear protective clothing and safety glasses.

How many balusters and post caps will I need for my handrail?
All of our baluster kits contain the required quantity of balusters and color coordinated screws to construct one 6-foot on-center railing. The exception is the glass baluster kit which contains 5 balusters for ease of shipment.  Purchase 1.5 Glass balusters for every lineal foot of railing.

What is the recommended baluster spacing for a typical handrail?
We suggest spacing DeckoRail metal balusters 4-1/2” on-center. This leaves 3-3/4” spacing between Round balusters and 3-1/2” between Arch, Contour, and Rectangular balusters, which meets most major building code requirements. We recommend spacing Glass balusters 7-1/2” on-center for 3-1/2” spacing between balusters. Always check with your local building code official to ensure code compliance prior to installation.

How do I properly secure my DeckoRail post caps to each post?
DeckoRail post caps are easily installed using an exterior-grade caulk applied to the underside of the cap, and slipped over the top of the post. Use hot-dip, galvanized finishing nails in high use areas as needed.  

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Can I add centerpieces at a later date?
Yes. Centerpieces are sold separately with all required hardware and can easily be attached to DeckoRail Round balusters.

Can DeckoRail balusters be used with lumber treated with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) or Copper Azole (CA-B) wood preservative?
DeckoRail aluminum balusters can be used with ACQ or CA-B wood preservative as long as they do not come in direct contact with the treated wood. We recommend using FastBall™ connectors with washers (included in each package) to attach DeckoRail Round balusters to handrails. Use the plastic washers included with the screws for attaching DeckoRail Arch, Contour, or Rectangular balusters to a treated handrail. Corrosion caused by direct contact with treated wood is not covered under the warranty.

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Care and Cleaning

What if I get deck stain or sealant on DeckoRail balusters?
Deck treatments will not harm DeckoRail balusters as long as they are cleaned and wiped down immediately.

How do I keep my copper post cap from turning green? 
Our copper post caps come with a thin, clear marine lacquer designed to protect them before and during installation. However, once exposed to the elements, the coating breaks down, exposing the metal underneath. In general, copper progresses from a natural salmon color to a series of russet browns and grays, and finally to a blue-green or gray-green patina. To maintain the shiny look, apply a car wax immediately after purchasing the cap, and reapply every 3 to 6 months.

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