Replies

1. 
   Notchman | Apr 07, 2006 03:14am | #1

   I've put up several aluminum rail systems (Chrystalite and Alumirail....both very similar). 

   While they're not my personal taste (I'm one of those rustic types), I'd think they'd be far superior to a vinyl rail simply because,  if mounted correctly on a well-built deck, they're nice and rigid....I despise wiggly or sloppy handrails of any stripe and, while vinyl has it's place, I'll be quite surprised if someone chimes in here and sings it's praises.

   But, I've been wrong before....

1. 
   razzman | Apr 07, 2006 07:50am | #2

   ah yes, the vinyl rail. Just did one on a porch for a guy. He called and asks if I would put it up for him. He had all these parts out in his garage. It was a Lowes deal, Severe Weather or something like that.

   He wanted to have an 8ft section removable in the middle of a 14ft straight run and to match the guys house facing next door that shared the same driveway.

   Got to looking at the directions and could see it would be a piece of shid to put it up the way they designed. More of a 'yes u can do it' DIY sales pitch to the thing. Little screws expected to hold eveything together and tied down.

   Actually the components themselves as a base material are pretty cool. Some kind of a fiber composite and pretty solid.

   I told him I'd do it if we could line the inside of the hollow 4x4 posts with a sandwhich of 2x4s  thru bolted to the deck instead and then put the post coverings on.

   Came out ok but wouldn't want to trust one built solely to their specs.

   Be attentive to detail and those things can work alright.

    

     

    

   'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity