Greetings,
I’m building a front porch with square fiberglass columns. The porch is 7 ft deep the width of the house, but jogs out in the center about 5 ft. The front of the jog is parallel to the house and the front steps will join here. Either side of the steps is a 45 degree angled wall that comes back into the front of the porch 7 ft out. Picture the plan view of a 45 degree bay window in a straight wall. Hollow columns will be located at each change in direction of the deck/floor- at both corners at the ends of the house, both sides of the front steps, and where the 45 degree angled deck/floor meets the straight wall 7 ft from the house.
I know a picture would be worth a thousand words, and I’m trying to be consice. I hope you’re with me.
My question is about attaching the railings to fiberglass columns. I’d like to use pvc rails, but could spring for fiberglass if necessary. On the 45 degree sections, the railings will meet the columns at a 45 degree angle. I’ve seen brackets for attaching rails to columns (that come with the railings) but they are only for 90 degree sections.
Is there a supplier of brackets for railings that meet at 45s?
Do I need to rig some sort of site-built fastening system? If so, do I need to do any prep to the columns, such as glue blocks on the inside of the columns, prior to setting the columns?
Pointers to any articles or posts would be appreciated as well. Initial search didn’t lead to info I need.
Any info much appreciated.
Thanks!
Replies
I am almost finished replacing the wood handrail on my front porch with vinyl from Lowes. It's actually pretty good looking, and reasonably sturdy. Normally I would avoid vinyl railings at any cost, but since the house already had vinyl siding I didn't think I was stepping down.
Lowes has three 'qualities" of vinyl handrail, I got the middle one. I don't see how the standard rail brancket for this level could be adapted to a 45* cut, you would have to apply a wood block to the column. But, I think the top level bracket could be cut on a 45. If you can get to it, I would install a screw block to the inside of the fiberglass column to give the screws something to bite.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
The product is Severe Weather brand, Deluxe version. The rail brackets are part numbr 7244. They are made square ended, and you have to miter the ends at the right angle for the stair handrail, and it looks like you could miter in the other plane to die into the column at 45*."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt