How Do You Attach This Railing? Pt. 1
When installing railing there are a variety of options from which to choose. What are they and does it even matter?
There are a few options to select from when choosing how to properly secure a railing system and each option can be useful in a variety of situations. We will discuss each mounting option in this article. Each option is applicable for both square and round railing post. We also will briefly explore the common applications for each option.
Base or Surface Mount
For railing applications, the most common and recognizable mounting option is the base or surface mount option. For surface mounts, a base plate is attached to the bottom of railing post and anchored parallel to the ground or surface the railing sits on top of. Applications for surface mounts cover a wide variety, from stairs and ramps to patio or balcony enclosures. Depending upon the exact application a heavy-duty base that is welded onto the post will be used to provide more structural integrity and stability. This is common on high level balconies that require heavy load-bearing strength.
Series 5H (left) and Series 9S (right) are anchored into place using base mounts.
Side Mount
The next mounting option is the side mount. Similar to surface mounts, side mounts use a base plate in order to attach and anchor the railing system to a desired surface and can be found on both flat and angled surfaces. However, instead of being anchored parallel to the surface it is being attached to, side mounts are anchored perpendicular to the surface they are being attached to. The most common applications for the side mount are in areas with a low amount of surface area for mounting, such as Juliet railings or smaller elevated decks, as well as areas where the end user wants the ground to remain clear.
Side mounts allow railing to be installed in areas with lower amounts of surface areas.
Embedded
The final mounting option is an embedded mount. Embedded mounts occur when the bottom portion of the railing system is placed inside (or embedded) into the surface it is being attached to, usually concrete. In order to meet regulations and codes the railing posts are built with extra length in order to be properly embedded into the mounting surface while still meeting safety height requirements. Embedded mounts are typically in applications where the surface is concrete or other hardening material, as these allow the embedded post to be placed into the surface before it solidifies. Often, a decorative slip over base will be used on embedded applications, but is used for aesthetic purposes and offers no additional structural support. Additionally, embedded systems often require a weep hole for drainage in regions where there could be freezing and thawing.
Both Round (left) and Square (right) railing systems can be embedded into surfaces such as concrete.
Why it Matters
As we explored, each mounting option provides something a bit different based upon the needs and wants of the project. Sometimes the mounting system is pre-determined based upon the project type while other projects allow for freedom of choice when selecting a mounting option. Join us next month as we explore different mounting surfaces and project types more in depth!
Further Readings
A Brief History of Railing Design
How Do Uou Attach This Railing Pt. 2
How Do Uou Attach This Railing Pt. 3
