HOW-TO GUIDES

How to Install Trex Signature® Railing & Pre-Assembled Panels

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Let's walk through installing pre-assembled Trex Signature® Horizontal Railings and Trex Signature® Stair Panel Railings. Whether you're a DIYer stumped by installing deck and stair railings, or a long-time deck builder new to Trex, the following guide will help every step of the way, from unboxing to completing your deck with safe and secure railings. 

Trex railing panels for decking and stairs are available in 36" and 42" heights. In most states, the railing of a deck attached to a single-family property must be at least 36", while commercial and multifamily properties require a minimum of 42" high. However, we recommend checking your local building codes, as some municipalities have different regulations. 

Before you begin installing your pre-assembled railing panels and stair railing panels, you should have all your posts installed. Also, this is a good time to ensure you have all the tools and materials needed — they're listed below our step-by-step installation instructions.

Disclaimer: Instructions provided by Trex® are based on the build specifications that Trex® demonstrated in the Trex® Academy video series and are not universal to all homeowners’ projects. A homeowner’s build may vary from Trex’s instructions based on the homeowner’s local municipality requirements, individual design preference and project specifications. For questions or assistance needed during your project, please reach out to howto@trex.com.

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For any home project, be certain to follow local code and permitting requirements.
© 2022 Trex Company, Inc.
01. Horizontal Rail Positioning 03:00
02. Cut Your Railing Panel to Length 03:58
03. Set Your Panel Into Place 05:00
04. Installing the Top Cap, Bracket Covers, and Post Caps 05:47
05. Racking Trex Signature Stair Panels 07:10
06. Clamp and Mark Your Trex Stair Panels 08:20
07. Mark Bracket Locations 08:45
08. Cut Your Trex Signature Stair Panel to Size 09:28
09. Install Brackets and Align Panel for Fastening 10:16
10. Align and Fasten Your Stair Panel 11:16
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chapter 01: Step One: Horizontal Rail Positioning
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Place your pre-assembled railing panel so that baluster spacing is roughly the same on both sides. This means the space between the closest baluster and the post at either end should be equal. Eyeball this at first, then clamp your railing panel in place and take a moment to measure the spacing. Adjust as necessary before you mark your cutting point. Remember, you need a minimum of 1 ¼ inch space for the baluster to clear the bracket.

Pro Tip

You will need to use a light-colored marker to show up on the black railing – silver works particularly well.

Local GuidelineSecure your panel to your sawhorse using your clamp, and extend the cut mark you made earlier using your speed square as a ruler. Next, use a circular saw with a wood cutting blade to cut the top and bottom rails at both ends. Remember, the finer your blade, the cleaner the cut. Remember to put on your ear and eye protection before you cut.s

Pro Tip

Adding Painter’s tape on the shoe of your saw will minimize scuffs and scratches on the surface of your railing panels.

Finally, you need to cut access holes in the anti-rattle strip at the top of your railing. This is to allow you to fasten your railing to your brackets and posts. If you don't cut them now, you'll have to backtrack later.

(NOT ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY COUNTRY.)

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