Please read all instructions completely before starting any part of the installation. Each railing kit comes complete with all parts, hardware and installation guide to install one complete rail section (excluding posts.) Railing sections have been pre-cut to 6 ft. or 8 ft. lengths. Check to ensure that the kit is complete. Safety: Always wear goggles when handling, cutting, drilling and fastening materials. Note: Check local code requirements.
Figure 1
1. POST SLEEVE INSTALLATIONS
The Trademark Post Sleeve has been designed to slide easily over a nominal wood 4"x 4" post after the deck sub-structure is complete and the deck board has been fastened. If the nominal wood 4"x4" post is twisted or oversized it will be necessary to shave the post. Do not force the Post Sleeve as this may cause it to crack or split. The 4"x4" wood post should extend down to the bottom of the rim joist. For firmest attachment, completely "BOX IN" the 4"x4" wood post and the Post Sleeve so there is support on all four sides. (see Figure 1) The Post Sleeve may also slide over a wood post that has been mounted to the deck or a concrete slab using the Trademark "SURFACE MOUNT BRACKET". Note: If optional Post Skirt is to be used, install over Post Sleeve prior to installing railing.

2. POST SLEEVE HEIGHT CALCULATIONS
Calculate and cut Post Sleeve to required height (see Figure 2). Slide Post Sleeve over 4"x4" wood post into position. For 36" rail cut Post Sleeve to 37". For 42" rail cut Post Sleeve to 43".

3. MEASUREMENTS AND CUTTING
Measure between posts, top and bottom to obtain the rail length. Also check the rail opening to ensure the Post Sleeves, newels or walls where the rail is to be installed are square and plumb. To obtain proper baluster spacing be sure to measure and cut retainer and bottom rail equal distances from the center. Cut handrail to match retainer.

4. RETAINERS AND BOTTOM RAIL BRACKET INSTALLATION (see Figure 3)
Place the "U" shaped end of the painted stainless steel bracket on the underside of the retainer and bottom rail. Be sure to place the bracket just slightly inside (1/16") the cut edge of the retainer and bottom rail. Mark and pilot drill holes with a 3/16" bit. Drill out the two mounting holes to 3/8". Note: When drilling for the bottom rail, drill through bottom wall only – do not drill through the top surface. Using the enclosed tool, screw the threaded inserts into the holes from the bottom until flush. Be careful not to over torque. Install inserts and fasten brackets with panhead bolts to the underside of the Retainer and Bottom Rail using the 1/4" x 20 panhead screws.

5. ASSEMBLE, FASTEN AND SLIDE
Align the ends of each Baluster with the pre-drilled holes in the Retainer (see Figure 4). Using the 1-3/4" # 8 wood screws, fasten the Balusters to the Retainer first, through the pre-drilled holes. Do not over torque. Align the ends of the Balusters with the holes in the Bottom Rail and fasten the Balusters to the Bottom Rail through the pre-drilled holes using the 3" # 8 wood screws. Place the partially assembled railing against a solid surface and slide the Handrail over the Retainer. Note: If the mounting brackets cover any of the pre-drilled holes in the Retainer or Bottom Rail, or they are too close to allow the installation of a Baluster, do not use the end Balusters. Seal any exposed holes with a white silicone exterior-grade caulking.

6. CENTER RAILING SUPPORT
Install center support in center of railing (see Figure 5)

7. LEVEL AND ATTACH RAILING (see Figure 6)
Level the assembled railing prior to making any markings or drilling. Place assembled railing between Posts and level. Mark holes. Remove assembled railing. Drill pilot holes in the Posts with a 3/16" drill bit. Re-position assembled railing and attach to Posts with #14 x 2" stainless steel screws.

8. POST CAP APPLICATION
Apply generous amount of construction grade adhesive to top edges of Post Cap and press Post Cap firmly into place.

9. FASTEN HANDRAIL TO RETAINER
Take remaining self drilling screws and install up through the retainer into the handrail to lock it in place. Space screws evenly.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Railing Conversion for Stairs
The assembly and installation of stair rail is the same as for horizontal rail (see over) except for changes detailed below. Please read instructions for horizontal rail before attempting to assemble and convert to stair rail.
Figure 7 and 8
1. PREPARATION:
First check the rise and run of the stairs to determine the proper stair rail angle. (see Figure 7) Check the rail opening to ensure the sleeves, newels or walls where the stair rail is to be installed are square and plum. Measure between the Post Sleeves to obtain the rail length. Be sure to measure between the Post Sleeves at both top and bottom. TIP: Ensure the proper fit by cutting a test piece of wood to the previously determined length and angle and fit it into the opening. Once the proper measurements have been confirmed, measure the handrail and retainer from the center of each part and trim an equal amount from each side to obtain the top length measured between the sleeves.

2. BALUSTERS
Cut Balusters to proper angle, top and bottom. Keep length identical.

3. DRILLING HOLES RETAINER AND BOTTOM RAIL
The Retainer and Bottom Rail have been factory drilled for "horizontal" rail installations to assist with the assembly. For a stair rail installation, the Retainer and Bottom rail holes will need to be re-drilled to match the required stair rail angle. From the center of the top holes, draw a line the proper angle down the side of the bottom rail to be used as a guide (see Figure 8). Using a 3/16th bit, drill through the top hole following the angled guideline, and through the bottom of the rail making sure to drill through as close to the center line as possible. TIP: Use a drill guide to ensure accuracy.

4. MOUNTING BRACKETS
Bend the brackets to the proper angle (Top of stair bend in, Bottom of stair bend out).

5. ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL
Assemble as per horizontal rail installation instructions Step #5.
TALL Surface Mount Bracket (SMB) Installation Guide
(4x4 and 6x6 applications)
NOTE: 1) For a 36” tall rail, use a 34” SMB, and for a 42” Tall Rail, use a 40” SMB. 2) Only use 2 piece post skirts with this system.

1. PLACEMENT
Center the Surface Mount Bracket (SMB) at each post location and mark the mounting hole locations
on the surface. Position the open slot away from all fastening locations.

2. MOUNTING THE POST
Mark SMB mounting locations onto the deck surface.
• Concrete installation: Drill marked mounting locations with a 3/8 dia. Masonry bit to accept 3/8
dia. x 4” wedge anchors. Gently tap the anchors into the drilled holes.
• Wood Installation: There must be a solid base to fasten SMB to. A 5” min. thick blocking must
be securely fastened to the structure prior to installation of the SMB. DO NOT fasten the SMB
directly to the deck surface. The SMB is to be installed using 3/8”dia. x 5” lag bolts (the lag
bolts will require a 1/4” pilot hole to ensure the wood foundation blocking does not split).

3. FASTENING
Place the SMB over the mounting locations. Lightly tighten the mounting fasteners so that the SMB can
still move freely, but tight enough for the SMB to sit flush with the mounting surface.
Note: Wedge anchors are for concrete installation ONLY. For installation to wood surface refer to local building code.
(Recommended: Use minimum 3/8” x 5” lag bolts into solid wood mass underbody.)

4. SMB ADJUSTMENTS
If the SMB is out of plumb and or level, add shims to the base of the SMB.
Check for plumb and square. Repeat until correct.

5. INSTALL RAIL SECTION
• Cut the post sleeves to the desired length and slide them over the SMBs' squeezing the top of the
SMB to start the post sleeve and slide it down until flush with the base.
• Place assembled rail section between the posts and mark the bracket hole locations onto the post
sleeves as per the Railing Installation Guide supplied with the railing kit.
• *IMPORTANT: Remove the rail section and drill the bracket hole locations with a 7/32dia. drill
bit (*THIS DRILL SIZE IS CRITIACAL*). Drill through both the post sleeve and SMB.
• With all holes drilled, place rail section between posts and install as per the Railing Installation Guide.

6. FINAL STEP
With all rail sections installed, tighten all the SMB base fasteners. Install the 2 piece post skirts
supplied in the SMB kit (if you have purchased the SMB alone, you will need to purchase a 2 piece post
skirt to hide the base and fasteners).
• For Concrete installation: If the concrete anchors have tightened leaving the too much thread
exposed for the 2 piece post skirt to install properly, it may be necessary to cut the top of the
wedge anchor so it no longer interferes with the skirts snapping assembly).
Manufactured under Compos-A-tron Research & Development
US Patent 6,702,259, B2.
www.composatron.com