Has anybody here dealt w/ trex railings? Instructions (yes, I actually read them first), say to use a 16 gauge finish nail. Well, my gun is having trouble. Some don’t drive in all the way, just had the gun rebuilt ($80 to fix a $120 gun), and today the driver snapped – and it will take a week to get the part. Now is it my gun (porter cable250b) or the materials giving me problems. As usual, I appreciate any words of wisdom.
Thanks
Get expert guidance on finding a fixer-upper that's worth the effort.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
trex is way dense, i had a similar problem a few years ago...bought a good pair of nippers....and the right size nails...
overall, I love the look of the railings...
Just did a Trex railing
GC demanded "no nails showing"; so I cut up some railing scraps and nailed them in the top groove (from underneath) between balusters using 18awg nailing gun and 1.5" brads. Worked well, but remember to allow a smidge between balusters for expansion and contraction.
Trex "rail connectors" are crap though.
The mounting procedure is:
mount balusters to bottom rail; predrill rail connectors to the top rail making sure the end of the connector is about 1/4" inset on the rail (do not mount); mount both top and bottom rail connectors to the post; set bottom rail section on lower rail connectors; put top rail on balusters and top rail connectors; put screw into top rail predrilled hole (with setback, will keep rail tight to post); fasten balusters to top rail;.
The only time I had to use the 16awg pinner was when the rail met the post at 45degrees.
Thanks for info. I guess that project will wait for a week or so because my wife delivered our 3rd child at 1:30 A.M. today. Girl - 8lbs 6oz.; will be busy w/ important things for awhile, but will keep in mind when back to the grind.
Thanks
Congratulations!
The deck can wait!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
The Trex railing components are more dense than the decking boards, and therefor harder to fasten to/through/etc. This is especially true of the 4x4 posts. The Trex rep explained to me that this is because the railing components are extruded at a slower rate than the decking boards. This also results in a darker color. I've used 15 ga SS or gal gun nails and 3" SS trim head screws for fastening the rail components. Still some screws snap off and some nails bend. I have a bunch of the plastic Trex rail attachment brackets and the screws that go with them, but after a quick trial with them I was skeptical about the strength.
BTW - congrats on the new addition to the family!