How to Install Railing and Make it Removable

Big thank you to Crescent for sponsoring this video!
Also, big thank you to Prowood, Titan and Fence Armor for supporting this project!

Things I Used in This Project:

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Welcome to the official April Wilkerson YouTube channel. I’m April and I’m the creator of Wilker Do’s. I'm not professional or have any training, so I just pick the project I want to tackle and figure it out step by step. On this channel you will find a variety of content like DIY home improvement, How-To’s, construction and more.

[dianas]

I think I’ve checked out just about every rail system out there. Watched umpteen YouTube videos. After watching your video (several times) I’m convinced this is our best option both economically and low maintenance wise plus it looks very classy too. We have about 135 linear feet of railing not including the railings on the 4 staircases. Thanks for this video and so many other great videos!

[BearCreekWoodworking]

It's amazing how fast this railing system speeds up the process of building a project. I love the overall look of the Cedar and Black color scheme April!!!

[wendellperkins]

From experience a suggestion. Where your top railing pieces butt together over a post cover the top of the post with something waterproof such as joist tape. As April states water will rot the tops of the posts when it seeps between the boards.

[snurb]

OMG! I did the same style Deck, Ramp, Balusters, Top Cap except I used the old style 'fixed' or adjustable black aluminum balusters from the local box store! The installation was enough to make a grown man cry! I finally came up with a jig system where I would lay out each railing section (including the stairs) on my large lay out bench, assemble everything laying down with a square, inserts all the balusters, fasten temporary 1x4 face braces to hold the whole rack together, then drop the whole section into fence brackets on the posts! Absolutely beautiful look but I paid a high sanity! Ha, lol. I had a gut feeling someone would improve on the baluster connectors. I didn't watch the entire video due to jealousy, where did you order these?
By the way, I used that new product 'flex seal' Black roll on to do my top 2x6 cap rail, it looks amazing with the black balusters and the rubberized paint/seal looks to be holding up to the the weather and I doubt I'll have to ever repaint or seal but every 10 years. I used Sequoia Red treated outdoor lumber and the look is so incredible that makes my house look like it needs a 3.5 Million Dollar Upgrade! LOl Thanks for sharing a product that fills a must needed solution.

[jewdd]

Cute intro April, watched you for years now and you were one of the first builders/woodworkers I learned from.

[rickysafer]

Very unique April, I really like the way the deck has come together and the fact that you used natural cedar.

[lovejones]

April you're coolest person on the planet! Awesome stuff!🤙🏾💯

[JJEMO]

Super COOL I did a similar project with a driveway fence. Worked super at first, then over time the wood expanded and it wouldn't fit.

[michaelwebb]

Love this concept. We're redoing our deck and going with the same railing system. My question is, have you stained/water proofed your pressure treated wood (floors/rails) yet? How does stain or waterproofing affect the aluminum balusters, or were there no apparent problems, issues? Thanks! Awesome video and a super nice deck. I definitely can't match it. 😊 Thanks for sharing.

[olddawgdreaming]

Looks great April, like the way it went together so easy for you all. Took some figuring but you made it work. Thanks for sharing with us. Stay safe and keep up the great videos. Fred.

[peterputnam]

As an old carpenter a trick you can use to get your handrail height. Take a framing square lay the 16 inch leg onto the front of 2 stair treads, using the 24 inch leg mark at the top where it hits the post. This gives you proper handrail height for stair railings and meets all applicable codes.

[carlwhite]

April, I am going to be building a huge deck on my house soon and these tips will surely help, Thank You.

[InGratitudeIam]

That's a pretty slick system. One thing you might consider for the removable sections is using hardware, like a bolt latch to attach sections to each other and to the deck, to provide a little more security should someone fall into the railing.

[no_handle_required]

Every year that goes by, you get better. Better ideas, more energy, better videos. You're a freaking legend.

[michaelwebb]

My wife and I are redoing a 36x16 deck with two sets of stairs. We are going with the same railing system (Titan) as you did. I think once completed it will look so nice. My question is how dry (moisture content) was you wood, especially the 2x4's for the balusters? I read on Titan's site that the wood should be dry. It's hard to pull off and have straight lumber. Anyone who's worked with treated lumber knows the nature of the beast. I'm not sure how much a treated 2x4 will shrink in length, as that would be an issue with the screwed on plastic ends. If you, or anybody else reading this, we'd really appreciate the help/advice. Thanks so much!

[jonathanwaddington]

When you have to shovel snow, you will really be glad you did it this way.

[davidd]

That’s really cool, and to be able to remove them to hit golf balls would be a dream come true. Nice job!

[russkunz]

I get more out of your 16 minute video than I did watching all the others combined for the last year combined. QUESTION. What size is the flat hailing over the 2x4's attached to the balasters?...2x6??

[sgoossen]

Thanks for sharing your videos. Great efforts and illustrations. You shows much enthusiasm with your work. Just curious in your video, . I noticed that there is a big
shallow circle with a lower deck platform. What is that? Keep up with the good works.

[louroberts]

Hi, April! VERY cool idea! The removable rail system is pretty darn cool!