Q: Are vinyl railings durable?
A: Yes. In fact we are so confident of this that we offer a lifetime warrantee on all of the vinyl railing components against yellowing, cracking, and peeling. Your railing will keep it's bright white color for a lifetime.

Q. How do your railings differ from those offered by the home centers?
A. Glad you asked. The adage that you get what you pay for is just as true with vinyl railings as for other products. There are several significant differences in our railings:

• Our railings have thicker walls and are stronger.
• Our railings are available in different lengths and can be ordered at custom lengths. Most home center railings are available in 6' lengths only.
• We have a strong non-corrosive aluminum insert in our top and bottom rail. Some home center rails use steel that can rust or wood which can deteriorate over time, some don't have inserts at all.
• Our top and bottom rails have a much larger aluminum insert than the home center's models. That is why a support block is not required in the middle of the railing span. Theirs need the block to keep the railing from sagging.
• Our vinyl has additives to block ultra violet rays (UV). UV causes vinyl to turn yellow, crack, and blister. Many of the home center vinyl railings do not have this expensive additive in their vinyl.
• We have the right parts to meet the building codes. For example, we have the handgrip and brackets required by many jurisdictions for stairway railings. Also our posts are not notched like those found in some home centers. Notching weakens the rail post and is not allowed by many building officials. Our railings meet or exceed the BOCA and IBC 2000 building codes for railings.
• We offer stair railings at the same price for most models and in the same lengths as our standard railing. The home centers do not.
• We offer several picket and post styles. They typically offer two.
• We offer a full line of accessories and trim parts. The home centers have some of these parts.
• Our experienced staff can do your parts take-off for you with a sketch of your project. At the home centers you are usually on your own to figure it out.
• We actually have a lot of experience using this product to build many decks, front porches, and screened porches. Their sales people's experience may be to have seen an installation video. If you run into a problem, who would you prefer to call?

Q: Why is vinyl railing more expensive than wood?
A: While the initial cash outlay of a wood railing may be lower, if the wood railing is properly maintained it will cost more in less than 5 years. Unlike the wood railing, there is no need for sanding, painting, calking, scraping, and replacement with vinyl railings. Wood railings also become less safe over time as the wood components start to deteriorate. This does not happen with vinyl systems.

Q. Are vinyl railings difficult to install?
A: With good planning, our vinyl railings are easier to install than similar wood railings and we will be more than happy to help plan your project. These railings can be installed using simple household tools. Unlike other vinyl systems, our railing system does not require you to cut and rip existing posts or router the new vinyl posts. In most cases, you will have to trim the railing sections with a saw and the screw the sections to the posts using our unique brackets. And remember, we not only sell and install this railing, we have many years of experience in building decks, porches and railings for every type of outdoor structure. If you have a question or problem, call us, we'll be able to help.

Q. Can the railing be painted?
A. Yes if you must. Epoxy based paints are made that will properly adhere to vinyl. It's a lot of work and painting the railing voids the lifetime warranty. Remember, white goes with just about everything.

Q. How do you install lighting on this type of railing?
A. Actually it is easier to install lighting to vinyl railings than wood -  especially low voltage lighting. Because the posts are vinyl sleeves, the wire can be hidden inside the post and routed to below the deck surface, out of sight. It is also possible to route wire through the upper and lower rails for a professional appearance. We have a great deal of experience in railing lighting and can provide advice on the best fixtures and techniques for your situation.

Q. Will it mildew or collect mold?
A. Vinyl products will, when subjected to extended damp weather, collect mold and mildew. They are, however, easily cleaned with a solution of mild household detergent and water.

Q. Is it maintenance free?
A. Vinyl railing does require a limited amount of maintenance. Under normal conditions this maintenance is in the form of annual washing of the railing to keep it looking new.

Q. Can these railings be attached to a concrete slab or porch floor?
A. Yes, we make that type of attachment frequently. For most applications, our steel post support is attached to the concrete with masonry anchors. In some cases, it may be necessary to add an epoxy glue to give added stiffness to the posts. Again, we'll help you if you run into a problem, but chances are extremely good that you won't need us - the system works very well.

Q. Does a vinyl railing deflect or "give" more than a wooden railing?
A. Maybe. Depending on the wood railing you compare it to, you may find that the vinyl railing will give a little more than a wooden railing. However, the railing has aluminum reinforcement in both the top and bottom rails to minimize deflection. And most importantly, this railing system has met or exceeded all of the BOCA building code test requirements for residential applications.