AZEK Straight Rail User Manual

STRAIGHT RAIL INSTALLATION GUIDELINES for

(1) Handrail

(1) Top Retainer

AZEK Premier AZEK Trademark AZEK Reserve

• Pleasereadallinstructionscompletelybeforestartinganypartoftheinstallation.

• Each AZEK Premier and AZEK Trademark railing kit comes complete with all parts, hardware and installation guide to install one
complete rail section (excluding posts.)

• Each AZEK Reserve railing kit comes complete with all parts, hardware and installation guide to install one complete rail section
(excluding handrail and posts.)

• Railing sections have been pre-cut to 6 ft., 8 ft. or 10 ft. lengths. Check to ensure that the kit is complete.

• AZEK Rail should be installed using the same good building principles used to install wood or composite railing and in accordance with

the local building codes and the installation guidelines included below. AZEK Building Products Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility
for the improper installation of this product.

• AZEK Rail may not be suitable for every application and it is the sole responsibility of the installer to be sure that AZEK Rail is fit for
the intended use. Since all installations are unique, it is also the installer’s responsibility to determine specific requirements in regards to
each Rail application.

• AZEK Building Products recommends that all applications be reviewed by a licensed architect, engineer or local building official before
installation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call AZEK Customer Service at 877-ASK-AZEK (877-275-2935)
or visit our website at www.azek.com.

• AZEK Railing is tested as a whole system and should be used that way. It is not intended to be used in conjunction with other railing
systems or fasteners.

• The following Installation Guidelines are applicable for installation of AZEK Premier, AZEK Trademark, and AZEK Reserve Rail Systems
(except AZEK Reserve over post applications).

• IMPORTANT: Make sure the DRIVE TOOL/DRILL is configured or set to use the SCREW setting when driving and/or tightening all FASTENERS.

• SAFETY: Always wear goggles when handling, cutting, drilling and fastening materials.

• NOTE:Check local code requirements prior to installation.

Tools Required

Tools Required

Measuring

Pencil

Pencil Measuring Tape

Tape

Center Punch

Automatic

Drill

Recommended: Impact Driver

Recommended:

Drill

Impact Driver

Mitre Saw

Mitre Saw

fitted with a

fitted with a

high tooth

high tooth

count finish

count finish

carpentry blade

carpentry blade

1/8”

1/8”

Drill

Drill

Bit

Bit

3/16”

3/16”

Drill

Drill

Bit

Bit

Recommended Pilot Point

Page 1

5/16”

5/16”

Drill

Drill

Bit

Bit

Hardware

Hardware

(2) Threaded Plates

(2) Top Rail

(5) 1” #8 Wood Screws

Straight Bracket

(8) 5/8” #10

(2) Threaded

Machine Screws

Plates

(2) Spring Clip Threaded
Plate Retainer

Baluster Packs

(2) Bottom Bracket
Base

(2) Bottom Bracket
Flange + Set Screw

15

(5) 1” #8 Wood

per

Screws

pack

(8) 5/8” #10 Machine
Screws

Composite

Square

IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT

Make sure that the

Make sure that the

DRIVE TOOL/DRILL

DRIVE TOOL/DRILL

is configured or set

is configured or set

to use the SCREW

to use the SCREW

setting when driving

setting when driving

and/or tightening all

and/or tightening all

FASTENERS.

FASTENERS.

(2) Spring Clip Threaded

(1) Spring Clip

Plate Retainer

Installation Tool

(2) Top Rail
Straight Bracket

(1) 3/16” Allen Key

(2) Bottom Bracket
Flange + Set Screw

(1) T-25 Bit

Composite: 2.5 balusters per LFT
Metal: 2.75 balusters per LFT

20

Metal

Square

1

per

pack

.

.

Prepare for

1

Prepare for

Post Sleeves

Post Sleeves

(2) Baluster Swing
Brackets

(1) Center Support
Bracket

Baluster Screws
(28) 6’ Kit
(38) 8’ Kit

(8) 2 1/2” #10 Wood
Screws

Metal

Round

Rail Packs

Premier
Bottom Rail

Center Support

• The 4 x 4 should be completely “boxed in” around all 4 corners of the

• The 4 x 4 should be completely “boxed in” around all 4 corners of the

firmest attachment.

firmest attachment.

• Make sure posts are level and plumb.

• Make sure posts are level and plumb.

• If post is twisted or oversized, trim as necessary so post sleeve slides

• If post is twisted or oversized, trim as necessary so post sleeve slides

easily over post. (Do not force sleeve over post)

easily over post. (Do not force sleeve over post)

• Post sleeves may also be used over wood posts installed with Surface

• Post sleeves may also be used over wood posts installed with Surface

Mount Bracket or over Tallboy Surface Mount Bracket.

Mount Bracket or over Tallboy Surface Mount Bracket.

• Post sleeves should not be notched for installation.

• Post sleeves should not be notched for installation.

• If installing using a Surface Mount Bracket or Tallboy Surface Mount

• If installing using a Surface Mount Bracket or Tallboy Surface Mount

Bracket, please refer to those specific installation instructions.

Bracket, please refer to those specific installation instructions.

• IMPORTANT: Must check with local building code for proper installation

• IMPORTANT: Must check with local building code for proper installation

of wood post and decking attachment.

of wood post and decking attachment.

(2) Bottom Bracket

Parts

Base

(2) Baluster Swing
Brackets

Baluster Screws

Premier

Trademark Profiles shown throughout Instructions

Top Rail

Premier
Bottom

Premier

Rail

Top Rail

(1) 4 3/8”
For 2” gap below bottom rail,

cut Center Support to 2 3/8”

WARNING: Post sleeves are not designed to be used in

WARNING: Post sleeves are not designed to be used in

structural applications. Therefore, they should not be used

structural applications. Therefore, they should not be used

where they may be subject to weight bearing applications

where they may be subject to weight bearing applications

such as supports for a roof of a porch or deck.

such as supports for a roof of a porch or deck.

Trademark Profiles Shown
Throughout Instructions

(1) T-25

Bit

(1) 3/16”
Allen Key

Reserve
Top Rail

Reserve
Bottom

Reserve

Rail

Bottom Rail

Balusters
(13) 6’ Kit or (18) 8’ Kit

(1) Bottom Rail

Reserve
Top Rail

© 2013 AZEK Building Products. All rights reserved

(1) Handrail

(1) Top Retainer

(1) Spring Clip
Installation Tool

(1) Center Support
Bracket

(8) 2 1/2” #10 Wood
Screws

US:
(1) 4 3/8”
Center Support
Canada:
(1) 2 3/8”
Center Support

(1) Bottom Rail

2

STRAIGHT RAIL INSTALLATION GUIDELINES for

AZEK Premier AZEK Trademark AZEK Reserve

Measure & Mark Top Retainer, Bottom

3

Rail, & Handrail Ensuring Proper Hole

Spacing .... And Cut

Ensure Posts are square and plumb
Take measurements between bottom of posts for more accurate rail length
Leave Handrail 1/16” longer than Top Retainer for a tight fit

Page 2

Cut Post
Sleeves

Cut
Post Sleeve
minimum 2”
longer than
desired railing
height

Do not

force the

Post Sleeve

over the 4 x 4

as it may

eventually lead

to a crack or

split

a

If X is greater than 4 3/8”, Composite Baluster spacing will not meet Code.

a

If X is greater than 4 1/8”, Metal Baluster spacing will not meet Code.
Shift Rail Center from (a) Center on Hole to (b) Center Between Holes.

b

Most building codes require that a 4” sphere shall
not pass through the rail at any point.
To comply with 4” sphere rule, a 6 ft. section must
be cut a minimum of 7/8”.

Hand Rail can be cut from either end

Rail Center On Hole

X

Rail Center Between Holes

X

b

If X is less than 3 1/8”,

use Baluster Swing
Brackets in Step

to allow access in

Step

13

6a

X is

greater

than 3 1/8”,

NO

Swing

Bracket

Required

X is

less than

3 1/8”,

Swing

Bracket

IS

Required

Swing

Bracket

In Use

X 2

X 2

4

Measure, Mark
& Drill for
Brackets

Top Retainer Bottom Rail

Mark Bracket

1/16” from end

of Retainer

Consideration:

For Aluminum Top Retainer
use automatic center punch.

Pilot with 1/8” Drill Bit

Drill with 5/16“ Drill Bit

Mark Bracket

1/8” from end

of Bottom Rail

When

drilling holes

for brackets,

do not drill

through top

surface of

bottom rail.

5

1

1

16

Remove install­ation tool before
fully tightening
bracket screws

Install
Brackets

Bottom Rail

Close Spring
Clip and
insert into

2

Installation
Tool

1

16

© 2013 AZEK Building Products. All rights reserved

X 2

X 2

X 2

X 2

Top Retainer

Top

Retainer

X 4

Bottom

Rail

X 4

Spring Clip

Installation Tool

IMPORTANT

Make sure that

the DRIVE

TOOL/DRILL is

configured or set

to use the

SCREW setting

when driving

and/or tightening

all FASTENERS.