Conventional tools for cutting, drilling, and nailing can be used with Deckorators railing. We recommend using a sharp carbide-tipped saw blade for cutting. For your safety, remember to wear protective clothing and safety glasses. Reference the Railing tab on the Installation Instructions page for railing instructions specific to each product line.

A graspable ADA-compliant secondary handrail is an important component to consider when planning a deck with stairs. So, whether you’re constructing a residential composite deck, lumber deck, or deck made from other decking material, you’re typically required to install a graspable secondary handrail on one side of the deck’s stair railing when there are four or more stair risers present.

Key Residential Stair Handrail Requirements (IRC - International Residential Code):

• Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30" in height (whichever is less) must have at least one grab rail.
• Handrails with a circular cross-section shall have an outside diameter of at least 1¼" and not greater than 2". If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of at least 4" and not greater than 6¼" with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2¼".
• The grab rail must terminate at the newel post (top and bottom posts).
• Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be a minimum of 1½".
• The height of the handrails must be installed 34"–38" from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread. Graspable secondary handrails are increasingly required by building/deck codes across the country.
• This attractive and highly versatile ADA-compliant handrail is ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum, the system includes five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in Textured Black, Textured White, and Weathered Brown to complement a home’s exterior.

As always, check your local building code or ask your building inspector to make sure a secondary handrail is installed when required by law.

Deckorators performs well in varying weather conditions. During installation, it will contract only slightly in cold weather. It expands in hot weather. We recommend that the material be on the job site 48 hours prior to installation to acclimate. Reference the Railing tab on the Installation Instructions page for spacing guidelines to ensure proper room for expansion and contraction.

We recommend a new 5/8" chrome-plated socket to protect the fitting from raw steel. Avoid installing with rusty tools, as they leave rust deposits on the surface of the fittings almost immediately. After installation, it’s critical to clean the system completely with a stainless cleaner and a soft, clean rag to clear the surface from carbon deposits. For more information, refer to the Cable Railing Installation Instructions.

Use warm water and mild soap when cleaning. Avoid harsh solutions or abrasive cleaning materials, including but not limited to alkaline or acidic cleaners or solutions containing trisodium phosphate, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, fluorides, or similar compounds. Avoid using power-cleaning tools. Clean the fittings and cable after installation and every six months thereafter.

Deckorators Composite Railing, manufactured by UFP Ventures II, Inc., has been evaluated by an independent third-party evaluation report writer known as Intertek to be code-compliant under Intertek’s CCRR-0171 and CCRR-0335 Evaluation Reports. See reports for complete details.

Yes. Support blocks add strength to the railing system and provide support to prevent the railing from sagging. Spacing varies by railing system. Reference the Railing section on the Installation Instructions page for railing instructions specific to each product line. If possible, support blocks should be installed so they are aligned beneath a baluster for maximum reinforcement.

We recommend checking and cleaning your aluminum railing once a year in normal environments. In more hazardous environments or if heavy soiling occurs, more regular cleaning may be required. To clean, wash the railing with a solution of warm water and mild detergent and rinse to remove all residues. The railing should be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge. Test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to the entire railing system to ensure that no color change or damage will occur.

It’s important to keep leaves and other materials that can stain off your deck year-round. Sweep off the deck boards and make sure to clean out the spaces between the boards. We recommend using soap or detergent mixed with water to remove any marks or dirt from your deck boards. Power washers can be used to clean deck boards; however, a fan-tip nozzle on the lowest setting.

Yes, our secondary handrail is ADA-compliant. This attractive and highly versatile secondary handrail is ideal for meeting building codes when required. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum and durable PVC, the system includes five different radius elbows and several styles of returns to meet every possible installation. The railing is available in Textured Black, Textured White, and Weathered Brown to complement a home’s exterior. As always, check your local building code or ask your building inspector to make sure a secondary handrail is installed when required by law.

Glue is a supplemental adhesive and should never replace a fastener, especially in structural applications. Heavy-duty construction adhesive can be used, but we recommend testing on a small portion of your deck before using the adhesive throughout your whole application.

No. While Deckorators railing does provide superior surface integrity and strength, it’s not suitable for structural applications.

While no formal testing has been done, we have not seen or heard of any ill effects from standard pool chemicals.

Powder-coating a dry finishing process using pigment and resin particles that melt into a durable finish. Ours is eco-friendly and super tough.

This guide explains the basic components that are used in the Deckorators Contemporary Cable Railing.

Deckorators partnered with a 3rd party evaluation report writer known as ICC-ES who has issued ESR-4548 showing specific engineering details to help the inspector accept the product very easily.

Use #10 x 2" long Starborn Epoxy-Coated or 316 Stainless Steel Screw for outdoor durability.

No - the furring strips spaced at a maximum of 24" on/center are only required to be fastened to 7/16" thick rated OSB or plywood wall sheathing.

Find easy-to-follow tips in the installation guide.

Sure thing, but for this, you'll need to face-screw into furring strips. NOTE: The Stowaway clip does not work with the long length of the boards installed vertically or at an angle.

Pick from 3.5", 5.5", and 7.25" widths in 12', 16', and 20' lengths.

Totally fine, as long as they're pressure-treated to resist rot.

Yes, we offer a screw made by Starborn known as the Pro-Plug System. This system allows you to counterbore a face screw through the board and into a furring strip and then cover the head of the screw hole with a plastic cap that is the same color as the cladding.

Yes, we've got a guide to assist you in installation.

Yes, our Surestone™ Technology decking product lines, Voyage and Vault Decking can be installed as wall cladding in a vertical and horizontal application.

About 10 years with normal use.

No, it's designed to power off of rechargeable batteries only. Using regular batteries will ruin the light. We do have Solar Collector Replacement Units available. Please contact us to inquire about purchasing Solar Collector Replacement Units.

Approximately one year for rechargeable batteries

If the rechargeable batteries provided with the cap will no longer recharge, they can be replaced with any AA rechargeable batteries. The life depends on the quality of the batteries purchased.

The LED bulbs are part of the whole solar cell component and are not designed to be replaced. The LED bulbs have an average life of 10 years, with a normal usage of 6 to 8 hours per day.

1-2 lumens when the batteries are fully charged. The lumen value will slowly decrease as the energy from the batteries is consumed.

It provides ambient light.

Yes, it's for protection during shipping.

1. Remove top by pressing inward on the side of the clear lens, grasping the edge of the top and lifting it off.
2. Install the batteries.
3. Replace the top by snapping it back onto side panels (ensure that the holes in the sides are matched up with the stubs on the top).
4. Place your solar post cap light in direct sunlight for 24-48 hours to fully charge.

Apply an exterior-grade construction adhesive to the inside edge of the molding at the bottom of the light, and then place the light firmly onto the post. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.

You are not required to, but you can bury them no deeper than 6 inches.

Nope, plug it directly into the outlet.

Yes, but keep at least 10 feet away from pools, spas, or fountains.

Nope, outdoor use only.

Absolutely! Since it runs on 12-volt electricity, there are no electric shock worries.

You will need a transformer that accommodates the wattage of your entire low voltage system. To determine the total wattage, add up the wattage of each fixture to be used. For example, if you are using 10 lights that are rated at 1 watt each, the total wattage of your system would be 10 watts. 

Each of our recessed deck lights are 0.47 watts.

Yes. Transformers reduce 120-volt household electricity to a safe 12-volt current. Do not attempt to hook up a low voltage system to an ordinary electrical outlet without using a 12-volt transformer.

1-2 lumens when fully charged, gradually decreasing as the energy from the batteries is consumed.

Transformers: 12W and 50W (sold separately).

Try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Make sure that the transformer is plugged into an electrical outlet that is working. If there are any electrical switches that control the outlet, make sure they are in the "on" position.
2. Ensure you have the correct transformer size and that it can accommodate the total wattage of your lighting system.
3. Verify timer settings on the transformer are correct. To check the system during the day, cover the photo eye with a piece of black electrical tape.
4. Check to see if there is a loose connection at the transformer pressure plates.
5. Check the locations where the lighting fixtures connect to the low voltage cable to make sure that the prongs have not pierced the cable.
6. Trace the low voltage cable from the transformer to the lighting fixtures to ensure the cable has not been cut.

Post Base Trim is a molding for the bottom of the posts, available in 4” x 4” and 6” x 6” sizes in pine and cedar. Easy to attach with nails, staples, or adhesive.

It's stainless steel.

Stainless steel has a hard oxide coating that makes it resistant to stains.Corrosion and wear strip away this coating, causing the steel to rust. To maintain this coating, clean the post cap periodically with a mixture of vinegar and club soda.

Yes. As with all wood products, we recommend that you coat the wood post caps with a high-quality exterior finish to preserve the wood's natural beauty and ensure a lifetime of enjoyment. Before installing, apply to all wood areas, including the underside of the cap.

Our wood post caps are protected by Copper Azole Type B (CA-B), an EPA-registered pesticide containing copper and azole compounds to protect it from termite attack and decay. For more information, refer to the Copper Azole Safe Handling Information.

No need, they're kiln-dried, but we do recommend applying a protective finish immediately to the post cap.

No, it's designed to power off of rechargeable batteries only. Using regular batteries will ruin the light. We do have Solar Collector Replacement Units available. Please contact us to inquire about purchasing Solar Collector Replacement Units.

Approximately one year for rechargeable batteries.

If the rechargeable batteries provided with the cap will no longer recharge, they can be replaced with any AA rechargeable batteries. The life depends on the quality of the batteries purchased.

The LED bulbs are part of the whole solar cell component and are not designed to be replaced. The LED bulbs have an average life of 10 years, with a normal usage of 6 to 8 hours per day. We do have Solar Collector Replacement Units available. Please contact us to inquire about purchasing Solar Collector Replacement Units.

1-2 lumens when the batteries are fully charged. The lumen value will slowly decrease as the energy from the batteries is consumed.

It provides ambient light.

Yes, it's for protection during shipping.

1. Remove top by pressing inward on the side of the clear lens, grasping the edge of the top and lifting it off.
2. Install the batteries.
3. Replace the top by snapping it back onto side panels (ensure that the holes in the sides are matched up with the stubs on the top).
4. Place your solar post cap light in direct sunlight for 24-48 hours to fully charge.

Apply an exterior-grade construction adhesive to the inside edge of the molding at the bottom of the light, and then place the light firmly onto the post. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.

Use exterior-grade adhesive liberally to the inside of the cap and place the cap firmly over the top of the post. If you prefer to use Brad nails, be sure to pre-drill all nail holes to avoid splitting. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.

• 4” x 4” post - inside dimensions: 3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
• 6” x 6” post - inside dimensions: 5-1/2" x 5-1/2"

• 4” x 4” post cap - inside dimensions: 3-5/8" x 3-5/8" (which are made to fit a standard 4” x 4” post)
• 6” x 6” post cap - inside dimensions: 5-5/8" x 5-5/8" (which are made to fit a standard 6” x 6” post)
• 4" x 6" post cap - inside dimensions: 3-5/8" x 5-5/8"
• 8" x 8" post cap - inside dimensions: 7-5/8" x 7-5/8"
• 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" post cap - inside dimensions: 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Post Base Trim is a molding for the bottom of the posts, available in 4” x 4” and 6” x 6” sizes in pine and cedar. Easy to attach with nails, staples, or adhesive.

Our postcovers and caps come sealed with a matte finish stone sealer, so no additional sealing is required. Periodic cleaning is recommended as needed to remove surface dirt. Clean with mild soap and water and use a soft brush to remove any dirt buildup. It is always a good idea to test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to the entire postcover.

The Mixed Material Frame Kit comes in a 4' x 6' size and accommodates various infill options, including materials that are 1/4", 5/8", and 7/8" thick. The kit includes all adapters, spacers, and dividers that you need for installation. These components make it easy to set up your Deckorators Privacy Screen System, ensuring a hassle-free installation process.

The Deckorators Privacy Screen System offers a variety of infill options to suit your style. You can choose from panels in four on-trend styles: Palm, Wicker, Pier, and Wildwood. Additionally, there are three colors of double-sided slats available in Dark Slate, Brown, and Gray. The system is also compatible with all Deckorators decking, giving you a wide range of choices to create a truly unique backyard style.

Yes, our artificial landscape rocks feature an irregular shape and blended color to mimic the appearance of natural rocks. Each rock is unique, ensuring a realistic look that seamlessly blends into any outdoor setting.

Deckorators artificial landscape rocks are designed to be lightweight yet stable, eliminating the need for staking them into the ground. Their curvilinear shape provides added stability and resistance to wind movement.

Our artificial landscape rocks are crafted from a durable fiberglass composite, ensuring longevity and resilience in various weather conditions. The rocks are also coated with a UV-resistant finish to prevent fading.

Yes, Deckorators artificial landscape rocks are designed to withstand various weather conditions. They come with a durable, UV-protected finish to ensure long-lasting fade resistance. Additionally, their curvilinear shapes provide stability and protection against high winds.