Replies

1. 
   user-144854 | May 24, 2008 03:41pm | #1

   It depends on the situation.  For view preservation, or just an unobtrusive look, I like black aluminum pickets.  They can be had with buttons for engaging the bottom rail, which seems more weather resistant than drilling them in, though I have seen a few that were set into holes drilled into PT bottom rails, and they hadn't obviously rotted in the few years they'd been in place.  Trex or the like makes a nice cap rail, but in some climates it can get objectionably hot to the touch.

   I have no direct experience with vinyl, but am thinking of using it on a curved balcony -- if I ever get around to building the balcony.

   }}}}

2. 
   Matt | May 24, 2008 06:16pm | #2

   If you get vinyl be sure and get a setup that has the metal bars (extruded aluminum) that slips inside of the top rail.  Some mfgs say you don't need the bars until you get up to a 6' span but I don't buy it totally.  Also, be sure and install a support block every 3' or so under the bottom rail to prevent sagging.  Vinyl can be a good solution but it needs some extra support because it lacks some of the necessary rigidity. 

   The brand you use may likely depend on what is available in your area.  Start by finding out what is available to you and then come here and see if anyone has specific experience with that (those) product(s). 

3. 
   Piffin | May 25, 2008 01:55am | #3

   Plain PVC railing will sag in heat. There are several composites with vinyl cladding that are much stronger, most so alike it is hard to tell them apart at JLC LIVE

    

    

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   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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4. 
   EricPaulson | May 25, 2008 03:54am | #4

   The company I work for has done several decks using this brand.

   I think it's a decent system and if the finish holds up you have it aced. Looks good to me and I like wood.

   We just did a total deck makeover (1000 sq ft) with Azek decking and the Trade Mark Railings. I was impressed.

   Trademark Railing & Decking

   [email protected]

    

    

    

    

1. 
   kltzycrpntr | May 25, 2008 05:27am | #5

   I just did my front porch in Azek. I prefer it compared to Trex. I use Trademark railings at the sub-division we're at now. Here's what I don't like about Trademark...very time consuming, I even have three drills set up also so I don't have to change out bits. The 4x4 posts have to be chamfered on the edges or cut down. The post sleeves have cracked due to the posts twisting over time. I have made some layout jigs for marking screw locations for the brackets. I predrill through through the post sleeve so the screw doesn't grab it. I also tape the two top rail pieces together and cut them together. I then cut 1/8" off one end of the inner top rail to ensure the outer top rail fits tight to the post sleeve, I make sure to attach the trimmed off end last to keep the picket spacing true. There are some other time saving tricks I learned as well. On another note, one deck I did had mismatched predrilled holes. The holes on the top and bottom rails were off by 1/8" to 3/16". That error multiplies itself with every picket . After I installed the section is when I noticed the problem. And all the other boxes had the same layout problem. Our salesman came out and then a trademark rep. They couldn't believe it. My boss lost out on that deck with my wasted time. It's a very easy system to install overall. Just time consuming and you need to use it on a couple decks so you pick up what to and not to do. And now let me say something else I forgot to mention in my original post. We don't want a white system. Our house has sandtone corner boards and cypress (green) siding.Thanks for all the help so far. Please keep your suggestions coming! We'll be looking at some more railing systems this week.

1. 
   EricPaulson | May 25, 2008 02:55pm | #6

   You make sound and valid points. You hit all the same nuances we did.

   It is time consuming, but I don't have any experience with other systems to compare it to.

   I'm about as picky as they come and I was fairly impressed with the overall result.

   We charged big coin on the makeover deck, we had to. The Azek ain't cheap, but there is a product I predict will bury a few of it's competitors especially Trex.

   Thanks for sharing.

   Eric[email protected]

    

    

    

    

1. 
   kltzycrpntr | May 31, 2008 04:49am | #7

   Anyone have any knowledge of Kroy railings? They come in colors other than white which is something we like. http://online.kroybp.com/our_products/railing/vinyl/performance.php

2. 
   Geoffrey | May 31, 2008 09:02am | #9

   kitzy, 

          FYI , Trademark  has what they call a "tall boy" post mount system, no 4x4's , just a tall 3  1/2  sided metal "post" attached to the deck mounting flange. The sleeve slips over that, no PT 4x4, no twisting , no splitting. Also, Trademark (Compositron) makes colored systems, check their web and click on the image gallery and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

   All the above refers to the "select" style systems, not familiar w/ "prefered" style

    

                                                                                               Geoff

1. 
   kltzycrpntr | Jun 02, 2008 04:46am | #10

   I've used the 'tall boy' several times on concrete porches. More drill bits needed to go through the steel post. Not a real big issue. Just need to shim the bottom of the 'tall boy' to make the post plumb because most concrete porches have a pitch to them. I have my 4x4 posts already. I haven't installed them yet so I can see which ones twist and warp. I've already located who has display samples of Trademark, in my area it's Premier(sp?). Since we want a color, it only comes in 42 inch instead of 36 inch, that means I'd have to cut all the balusters to ...30 inches?? I'll be looking at Certainteed's system and color choices as well this week.I looked at Kroy this weekend. It's all custom made. I need to supply the post to post measurements so they can figure out the spacing. After that, a CNC machine routes the top and bottom rail. I didn't get a quote yet, but I'm already seeing a lot of dollar signs. It's something about that word 'custom'

5. 
   qtsam2 | May 31, 2008 05:48am | #8

   I can not say from experience but the local deck and porch contractor in my area (the

   best really) swears by Evernew by Certainteed. Here is a link

   http://www.certainteed.com/CertainTeed/Homeowner/Homeowner/FenceDeckRail/Prodindex/Railing/Evernew/