Build a railing with aluminum columns- oasis style

This railing endows your balcony or porch with all the timeless charm you could wish for. The columns are load-bearing with a special assembly system allowing you to cover existing pillars. The following instructions are for covering an existing pillar.

Important: Railings are subject to safety regulations. Check local building codes and manufacturer requirements before installing.
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Materials and tools
Install the aluminum columns
Cut the wooden box parts
Cutting list
Assemble the boxes
Install the railing
Important

Materials and tools

  • Posts
  • Bottom rails
  • Handrails
  • Balusters
  • Pre-drill strips
  • Measuring tape
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Hammer

    • Install the aluminum columns

    The round aluminum columns in this project are 8" in diameter and are made up of 3 easy-to-assemble staves. When working, always wear protective gloves, and remove all rings or bracelets to avoid scratching the surface.

    1. Assemble the staves vertically around the pillar without applying pressure. Two people are recommended for this step. To fit the last stave, join the two grooves together by snap-pressing down toward the column interior: begin at one end while your helper is holding the other end, and gradually work your way along.
    2. Level the column. Bore holes of 1/8" at the top and the base and fix the angle brackets. Screw in the brackets slowly. You can reduce the sound caused by the hollow interior by cutting a piece of wood to cover the inside bottom of the column and pouring in a noise-absorbing material such as vermiculite or sand before closing up the column.
    3. Cut the cap and the base in half.
    4. Fasten the cap around the top of the column with white screws.
    5. Fasten the base around the bottom of the column with white screws.

    Cut the wooden box parts

    Those wooden boxes are built around the aluminum column and serve to anchor the railings. They are square and measure 12" wide by 42" high.

    Cutting list

    Mark each piece with the corresponding letter before assembling. Sand the cut edges if necessary.

    The base and top parts fit around the aluminum column. They must therefore be cut a little bigger than the column’s diameter, which in our case is 8".
    PartsQtyMaterialsDimensions
    ABase2Plywood 5/8’’4 5/8’’ x 9 ¼’’
    BTop2Plywood 5/8’’5 ¼ ’’ x 10 ½’’
    CBack / Front2Plywood 5/8’’10 ½’’ x 42’’
    DSide2Plywood 5/8’’9 ¼’’ x 42’’
    EBand4Pine board 1’’ x 4’’12’’ <45o
    FMoulding4Moulding ¾’’30 5/8’’ <45o
    GMoulding4Moulding ¾’’6 ½ ’’ <45o
    1. Take both base parts (A) and mark the centre on the longer side measuring 9 ¼". From this mark, draw a 4 ¼" radius half-circle and cut.
    2. Take both top parts (B) and mark the centre on the longer side measuring 10 ½". From this mark, draw a 4 ¼" radius half-circle and cut.
    3. The bands of pine board will surround the top and the base of the column. Cut each edge at a 45o angle for a neater finish.

    Assemble the boxes

    1. Anchor both base parts (A) to the balcony, around the column. Make sure they are square with the balcony since they form the basis of the wooden box that will support the railing.
    2. Through the side of those base parts (A), screw three of the side panels. Start with one 9 ¼" panel (D), then fasten both 10 ½" panels on either side (C).
    3. Screw in the top parts (B) and adjust the side panels if needed. Make sure the box is square. Close the box with the last side panel (D).
    4. Arrange the bottom bands (E) around the box at floor level and screw in place.
    5. Arrange the top bands (E) at 5/8" from the top of the box directly below the top part (B) and screw in place.
    6. Nail the decorative mouldings to the front and back panels. They should be centered 2" from the top and bottom bands (E) and 2" from each edge.

    Install the railing

    1. Measure the distance between each column.
    2. Cut the pre-drilled strips, the bottom rails and the handrails using this measurement.
    3. Mark the centre of the balusters and screw the assembly strips to the top and bottom of each through the pre-drilled holes, thus creating a section.
    4. Screw the bottom rail to the posts making sure it is level.
    5. Insérer la section construite dans la lisse du bas et visser dans les trous.
    6. Place the section onto the bottom rail and screw through the pre-drilled holes.
    7. Install the handrail on top of the section and screw from underneath through the pre-drilled holes.
    8. Screw both ends of the handrail to the posts.
    9. Use an exterior caulking to seal all holes. Paint.

    Important

    The National Building Code of Canada establishes guidelines for the construction of buildings and various structures, including decks. However, these standards can vary depending on the local building requirements in effect in a particular province or municipality.

    For instance, in the case of a deck, the height of the deck’s surface above the ground determines the requirement for the railing height:
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    Height of deck or patioHeight of railing
    Under 24"Optional or decorative railing
    24" to 5’10"36"
    Over 5’10"42"
    Also note that the maximum distance between the balusters and under the bottom rail is 4". For a stairway, the treads should be no less than 9 ¼" deep and the risers no more than 8" high.

    Always check the local building requirements for your area before beginning any such construction project.
    Consider painting the railing one single colour or, if you want to work with contrasts, choose another colour for the handrail and posts. Let your house be your style guide.
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