Step 1 Safety Precautions
Check all local building codes for design load requirements. Fairway Masters Vinyl Balustrade is compliant with Section 4.2 Guardrail System
Structural testing of IBCO AC174 (April 2002) Acceptance Criteria for Deck Board Span Ratings and Guardrail Systems (Guard and Handrail). Always
use safety equipment.
Step 2 Mounting Surface Preparation
Make sure all mounting surfaces are plumb. You may use a 54" vinyl sleeve in square or raised panel (Legends also has a Turned Newel). Wood post
will need to be built out to match the inside measurements of post sleeve or you may use our Stainless Steel Structural Post. (Structural Post required
with Legends Turned Newel Post). NOTE: Base Trim Rings may need to be modified for stair rail.
Step 3 Lay Out Bottom Rail
With all mounting surfaces prepared, remove bottom rail from carton (Legends Top & Bottom Rails are the same profile) and remove aluminum insert.
Rest bottom rail on deck and bottom stair nosing. (See Figure 1.) Make sure distance from baluster to newel is equal on both ends. Make a vertical
mark along bottom rail.
Step 4 Cut Bottom Rail and Aluminum Inserts
With bottom rail marked, deduct ½" off both ends of rail to allow for mounting brackets (see Figure 2). You may cut with a power mitre box or power
saw. Next, cut the aluminum insert 3-1/2" shorter than vinyl rail length. Use a power
mitre box or power saw (see manufacturer specs for saw blade).
Step 5 Install Mounting Brackets
With rail and aluminum insert cut to length, slide Sleeve Over over both ends of
bottom rail. Insert mounting bracket in end of bottom rail, hold flush with rail end and
adjust so all screw holes are accessible. Slide Sleeve Over forward so it is flush with
mounting bracket flange. At middle mounting bracket screw hole, measure over ¾"
on Sleeve Over and drill a 1/8" hole through Sleeve Over, rail and mounting bracket.
Slide the clear plastic washer over the #8 x 1" SS screw head (recessed in washer)
and screw into the 1/8" hole through Sleeve Over, rail and bracket (one screw per
side). Snap white plastic cover over clear washer. Set rail in place between mounting
surfaces, center mounting bracket and adjust height. Mark screw holes in mounting
bracket and remove from opening. Next, pre-drill six (per bracket) 5/32" holes in
center of mark. Set bottom rail in place and install six #12 x 2" SS white head screws
through bottom bracket into 5/32" hole.
Step 6 Lay Out Top Rail
With bottom rail in place, insert one baluster in bottom rail closest to mounting
surface. Pulling over to one side, insert baluster in matching hole in top rail (see
Figure 3). NOTE: At this time if you wish to adjust the height of your railing, you may
do so by cutting even amount of top and bottom baluster (maximum adjustment 5").
(TIP: On steeper pitch stairs, it may be necessary to cut the bottom & top of balusters
at same pitch of steps to allow for deeper baluster insertion). Make sure you have
equal distance from mounting surface to baluster at top and bottom rail. Make a
vertical mark where rail and mounting surface meets (see Step 3).
Step 7 Cut Top Rail and Insert Mounting Brackets
Procedure for cutting top rail and installing mounting brackets will be the same as bottom rail.
Repeat Steps 3, 4, and 5.
Step 8 Set Top Rail in Place
With top rail cut to length and mounting brackets in place, insert all balusters in bottom rail with
wide part of turned baluster toward the bottom (see Figure 4). Slide top rail in place, starting at
bottom baluster and working your way up to the top baluster. With all balusters in place, screw
top mounting brackets in place the same way as bottom mounting brackets (see Step 5).
Step 9 Install Post Caps
With railing screwed in place, you are ready to install post caps. If you need to trim the tops of
newel posts you may do this now. To install post caps, apply PVC cement or Silicone Caulk to
the inside lip of cap and seat in place.
Step 10 Cleanup
You may clean up your vinyl railing with a mild household cleaner. For any stubborn stains, use
#0000 steel wool and mild household cleaner.
NOTE: Depending on the pitch of the steps, it may become necessary to notch out bottom
and top rail Sleeve Over if they cover baluster pocket, and top and bottom of baluster if it is
in contact with internal stair bracket. It may also be necessary to cut the top and bottom of
baluster to match the pitch of the steps to allow for deeper insertion in top and bottom rail.
V510/V410 Vinyl Railing
STAIR Installation Instructions
It is the responsibility of the installer to meet or exceed all code and safety requirements, and to obtain all
required building permits. These instructions are only a guide and may not address every circumstance.
The deck and railing installer should determine and implement appropriate installation techniques for each
situation.
FAIRWAY Architectural Railing Solutions shall not be held liable for improper or unsafe installations.
Proper
Baluster
Orientation
Equal & Maximum
Distance on both
ends of rail
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Plumb all mounting
surfaces before
marking rails
Deduct 1/2" from mark to
allow for mounting bracket
Aluminum Reinforcement
Bottom rail with Sleeve Over and
mounting bracket
Mark angle
of stairs
Mark angle
of stairs
