Deckorators Postcover User Manual
42” and 53” postcover installation instructions
42” and 53” Postcover Installation Instructions
Introduction
Carefully plan your entire deck, from deck boards to rails and
stairs, before cutting your first board or drilling your first hole.
Account for the unique design and dimensions of Deckorators
®
postcovers and your chosen rail system in the planning stage.
Inventory all necessary postcovers and associated rail connectors
and fasteners at the job site, before getting started. For installa-
tions over 4x4 nominal wood posts, you will need (2) 2x4-pieces
of treated or cedar lumber per in-line rail postcover and (4) 2x4
pieces of treated or cedar lumber per corner rail postcover. The
length of the 2x4 depends on the height of the postcover. 42”
postcovers require 41" high 2x4s and the 53" requires 52"
high pieces.
A The deck design will dictate how you
install and secure the deck posts. Be
sure the post extends 41 inches above
the deck surface to ensure a proper fit with
the 42" postcover and 52" above the deck
for a proper fit with the 53" postcover.
B Posts should be installed on the inside
of the deck frame, to allow the postcover
to rest entirely on the decking.
Step 2 • Install postcover
C A 6x6 S4S (smooth four sides) wood
post can vary from 5-1/4" to 5-5/8"
in thickness and may be subject to
slight irregularities. Use wood shims
at the top and bottom of the post to
ensure a snug fit. Shim the bottom
and slide the postcover over the post
to the deck base.
D Shim the top of the post for a tight,
level fit. It is important to shim evenly
on all four sides so the post remains
centered within the postcover.
E If the installation is over a 4x4 nomi-
nal wood post, then wood 2x4s will
need to be added to the sides of the
4x4 post. The number of 2x4s differs
A
B1
B2
C
D
1
Stacked Stone
Cobblestone
Fieldstone
In-line Rail
Corner Rail
• Exterior masonry adhesive
(epoxy or silicone caulk)
• Wood shims
• Drill
• 1/8" Masonry drill bit
• Saw (if trimming is required)
• Diamond masonry blade
(if trimming is required)
• Carpenter’s pencil
E1
E2
based on the location of the wood
posts. You will need (2) 2x4-pieces
of lumber per in-line rail postcover
and (4) 2x4 pieces of lumber per
corner rail postcover. The length
of the 2x4 depends on the height
of the postcover. 42" postcovers
require 41" high 2x4’s and the 53"
requires 52" high pieces. For in-
line rail posts, attach the 2x4s to
the sides of the wood post where
the connector and railing will be
installed using 2-1/2" wood deck
screws. For corner posts, install
2x4s to all four sides of the post
using 2-1/2" wood deck screws.
Items you may need to complete the installation:
• 100 grit coarse aluminum
oxide sandpaper
• 2x4s as required
(see introduction section)
• 2-1/2" wood deck screws
as required
• #8 x 3-1/2" exterior grade
screws* (2 per rail bracket)
• Safety glasses
Step 1 • Secure 4x4 or 6x6 nominal treated or cedar wood posts
Note: Use a saw with a diamond masonry blade if trimming of the postcover is required.
Always trim the bottom of the postcover, which is the side without the lip.