Has anyone tried to fabricate railings out of Azek reinforced with aluminum channel? I’m finishing up my front porch and was considering this, since I used Azek for the trim and to wrap the posts. Here is a ruff sketch of what I came up with. Is it worth trying or should I go with a standard railing system?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Replies
Looks interesting! I would probably go with something like 2x2 or 2x3x.125" rectangular tubing for extre stiffness.
Forrest
how stiff is that AL channel? Those Cs deflect quite quite a bit unless supported often and close together. The problem is focused on the bottom rail C-channel only though. The balusters will support the upper rail.
I'd also experiment with the different growth rates of the 2 materials bolted together in high heat and the cold you'd expect for your locale.
My first thought was along those lines also. While composite decking certainly grows in length a substantial amount when warmed, I'm pretty sure Azek doesn't, otherwise it wouldn't be a very good trim material.
As far as the aluminum channel, 1/4" thick would probably be a good thickness, although pretty expensive. The Azek (if you decide to use it) would only add stiffness if fastened well. The aluminum itself would be the most stable thing in your assembly.
How were you thinking of attaching the Azek to the aluminum, and how were you going to attach the aluminum to the posts?
Azek does contract and expand with the temp.
As a matter of fact, so much so that Azek recommends not painting their product with a dark color which would only increase heat absorbtion and thus expansion.
Runnerguy
I believe Sherwin-Williams makes a paint now (dark colors) that can be used on AZEK, check with the AZEK rep.
Wouldn't the AZEK spindles bend and warp? Azek is pretty floppy unless supported.
"It is what it is."
Azek makes a deck product.... I d be surprised if they don't make a railing system toowhy reinvent the wheel ?Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Azek does make a rail section.View Image
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
yes! Did one exactly like that at my brother in law's house. We used 1 1/2" track from depot to make it stiff. The short sections were solid. The 12' long section.... Not so much. It'll keep our kids from falling off the porch, but I wouldn't stand on it. Worked out well, and no problems with expansion/contraction so far. He actually has used the exact same design for two other clients and hasn't had a problem yet. We cut a separate beveled piece for the top to shed water, and to hide the screw heads we used to attach the railing to the painted wood spindles. We glued that top piece on using the azek adhesive. He thinks he was the first one to come up with the design....
I love the stuff, but my feeling is that any time you cut the stuff the (end/edge) grain is not smooth ie. factory finish, this gets dirty REAL quick.
We successfully use aluminum to stiffen Azek railings all the time. We use either 1/4" bar stock or rectangular tube, depending on the application. A two part structural adhesive (Chem-Set Trim Grip) bonds the aluminum to the Azek.