Replies

1. 
   Fonzie | Jan 19, 2006 05:48pm | #1

   We make our railing up in sections, screw the ballasters to one side (two screws at the bottom, one at the top. Then we add the other side pieces which cover the screws. To attach these we just use #8 finish nails.

   On wood ballasters we drill and nail through the ballasters, but in your case you could just nail beside them. I think it would work fine. Here is a screened porch we just completed, but you can see the railing we built about 10 years ago attached.

   The side pieces are ripped out of 5/4 decking. The top strip is 1 3/4 inches - the bottom is 3 1/4. That way we get both strips out of one deck board. The 2 x 4 cap hangs over the edge about 1/4. We drill full depth and nail it with #10 hot dipped galvanized. We have found careful full depth drilling for all nails pays off in this treated yellow pine.

   
1. 
   drbgwood | Jan 21, 2006 03:56am | #2

   My client now has ask about aluminum balusters.  say's they would be less maintenence than iron.

   I would have thought powder coated iron would be the way to go.  What would be the most maintence free metal to use for this?

1. 
   Sphere | Jan 21, 2006 04:41am | #3

   1" copper pipe is cool.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Save a few posts, fill in your Profile, we can help!

2. 
   Sailfish | Jan 21, 2006 05:33am | #4

   I like how you installed the lattice. Looks real nice, durable.

   Woul dyou care to elaborate on your procedure?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    

   WWPD

1. 
   Fonzie | Jan 21, 2006 07:45am | #5

   Thanks. The lattice (allow an extra 1/8 in when measuring). We ripped 2x2s and screwed the frames together with 3 inch screws - (matching frame inside and out). We laid the outside frame face down and squared/straight edged it, then stapled the lattice to it with 1/4 crown staples. Then we trimmed off the excess lattice and drilled/nailed the inside frame to the assembly through the lattice with 10 finish. We cut 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 1 spacer blocks out of 5/4 deck boards and drill/nail four of them on to the lattice frame ends(we like the look of that space beside the post). Then we drill/screw the lattice assembly in place with four - 3 1/2 screws. Sometimes we hinge one lattice for storage and use an extra block under the spacer block for support on the latch side. I hope I haven't insulted you with any of these details - most of this you probably already figured. Fz

2. 
   DDay | Jan 22, 2006 01:43am | #6

   These are aluminum with a powder coating, I think they have a 20 year guarantee.  They have a little top hat plastic thing that screws into the top and bottom rails then the balaster just fits in between.  These are very nice and the install is quick and simple.

   http://www.deckorators.com/Classic-Baluster.asp

1. 
   drbgwood | Jan 22, 2006 02:31am | #7

   dude, you are my hero!