Have a job I’ve I’ve never done before, attaching wood railings to exterior fiberglass columns. What’s the best way…screws? nails? Do I predrill and if so do I need a masonary bit? Thanks for your advice.
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This was a pain in the asp when I did it. The columns I used where tapered and round. The end of the rails has to be custom fit to the columns which is headache enough. Ending up using a paper template that I rolled around the edge of the pre-formed rail. Still wasn't easy.
Attached them with a couple of countersunk deck screws, no masonary bit needed. Then used a 'L' braket underneath. Seemed to hold well.
Then again , since it was attached to a rounded and tapered column, and made into a perfect fit ,it can't go either foward ,back nor down.
Good luck.
Edited 4/16/2005 9:10 pm ET by jaxstraw
Agree with jaxstraw. I do the same thing but also use a little construction adhesive to give it even more strength. I used a jig saw to cut the rails to fit tight to the round column and attached the L brackets to the columns with toggle bolts.
It's not as easy as nailing or screwing to wood but after one you'll put them up only a little slower than wood to wood