Pre-assembled railing
#1
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Join Date: May 2005
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Pre-assembled railing
Looking to replace a whole section of this type of railing (pictured) - pre-assembled. I cannot find this in any of the local chain stores, nor anywhere on the internet. We like the fact that the ballasts meet flush to the underside of each rail (2 x 4). Most of what we see in the stores, is the ballasts run up on the inside or the outside of the lower/top rail, and we do not like that appearance.
I could purchase two 2 x 4's and the ballasts, but # 1, i would have a hard time cutting the ballasts to exactly 30" each, and # 2, i would have a hard time securing the ballasts to the railings as well. I have replaced a few ballasts on the sections that are not totally rotted, and on those i am only securing the ballast from the top. As i am removing the old spindles, i can see that they are attached w/ braids, as opposed to nails, so i am fairly confident that these sections were pre-assembled originally.
Looking to replace 1 - 8' section, and then the 2 handrails going down the steps. The near handrail on stairs is original. The far handrail was replaced by me. You may be able to see that i cut every spindle short. Then tried to stick a 1" piece in the gap. Wife finally said 'enough is enough'.
I could purchase two 2 x 4's and the ballasts, but # 1, i would have a hard time cutting the ballasts to exactly 30" each, and # 2, i would have a hard time securing the ballasts to the railings as well. I have replaced a few ballasts on the sections that are not totally rotted, and on those i am only securing the ballast from the top. As i am removing the old spindles, i can see that they are attached w/ braids, as opposed to nails, so i am fairly confident that these sections were pre-assembled originally.
Looking to replace 1 - 8' section, and then the 2 handrails going down the steps. The near handrail on stairs is original. The far handrail was replaced by me. You may be able to see that i cut every spindle short. Then tried to stick a 1" piece in the gap. Wife finally said 'enough is enough'.
#2
Ballasts are in florescent lights. Balusters are what go between your top and bottom railings. If you get a miter saw you will have no problem making your cuts. Just tell the wife you need it in order to do a good job and to make the angle cuts. The space between balusters (by code) cannot exceed 4" so its likely that you may need to rework all of them.
#5
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Rail
Cut top and bottom rails and test fit. Then assemble the top and bottom rails with balusters on two saw horses. Fasten the bottom of the balusters through the bottom side of the bottom rail with screws. Install assembly. Hope this helps.