Installation Guide

CR Top Mount Post Kit Installation Guide

Models covered: P38B(D) | P48B(D) | P60B(D) | CRPF48TM | CRPF60TM

60 min on concrete 5 steps 5 year warranty

Before You Begin: Improper installation can lead to failure of the rail system, which can cause serious injury or death. You and your installer make the final determination of the means and methods appropriate for your site. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any step, hire a licensed and bonded contractor.

Start here

How to install a CR top mount post kit on concrete or wood: mark and drill, set the anchors, secure the post, and fit the post cover and cap.

Watch the installation video

Play the CR installation video on YouTube

  • Safety precautions
  • Means and methods disclaimer
  • Time and tools
  • Installing a top mount post
  • Connecting rails
  • Need help

Safety precautions

Read every message in this section before you touch any component. They apply to every model this guide covers and to every installation surface.

WARNING The hardware we ship may not be the hardware your site needs

Please make sure the hardware and tools we provided will be right for your install (read the means & methods disclaimer). IT IS POSSIBLE YOU NEED DIFFERENT HARDWARE & METHODS.

Please take your time to do your installation. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with the installation, we highly recommend hiring a licensed and bonded contractor.

WARNING Anchor strength depends on the hole and the concrete

The strength of the anchor is dependent on the hole size & concrete integrity. A hole that’s too big, or concrete that’s not up to standard grade, can make the anchor wiggle or possibly come out. This is what can cause a rail to fail & fall over.

CAUTION Edge distance and building code

Please adhere to local & statewide building code. The recommended distance from the edge is based on standard-grade concrete (2500 psi). If your concrete is ‘high-strength’ concrete, the edge distance can be reduced. See ICC Chapter 19, Table 1908.2.

Means and methods disclaimer

In no event shall CR Fence & Rail Inc have any responsibility, control over, charge of, responsibility, or liability for the means, methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures, or for safety precautions in connection with the installation of the railing, since these are solely CM/GC’s, Subcontractor’s, and Owner’s responsibilities.

Each installation site differs widely ranging from the construction & condition of attachment points, local building & safety code, local construction code, and local means & methods.

CR Fence & Rail Inc’s installation guide (whether it be in text, illustration, video or in support discussion) constitute for ideal installation condition. There is no ideal installation in real life. There is no substitution for consulting a local licensed contractor, architect, engineer, nor code inspector.

CR Fence & Rail Inc’s installation hardware and tools are provided as building material and does NOT constitute as the specific nor final installation hardware. Once again, you and your installer must make the final on-site determination to the specific means and methods of installation appropriate for your installation.

Following CR Fence & Rail Inc’s instruction does NOT constitute as proper installation as you and your installer must make the final means & method determination. Improper installation can lead to failure of rail system which can cause serious injury or death.

If your printed booklet names a different company in this clause, this page is the current one: CR Fence & Rail Inc is the registered entity. Earlier printings carry an out-of-date name.

Time and tools required

Time required

  • Wood — 20+ minutes per post
  • Concrete — 60+ minutes per post

Tools required

  • An electric drill or hammer drill
  • Nut socket and bit extension — included
  • The depth-measuring pencil included in the kit

Masonry tools and hardware (for concrete)

5/16" (8mm)

Anchor Bolt

5/16" (8mm)

Masonry Drill Bit — *SDS+ available upon request

—

Diamond Core Drill Bit — for hard stone, *available upon request

This will be a tight fit. In fact, the specification calls for the drill bit and anchors to be the same size. Some installers use a 3/8" drill bit to make the installation easier, and other installers wiggle the drill bit to bore the top of the hole slightly bigger. We are aware of the tight fit and we only recommend using our masonry drill bit without wiggling.

Installing a top mount post

1

Position and mark the holes

The post should be at least 1.5" (3.8 cm) away from the edges, and the post baseplate should be parallel with the edges. Mark the baseplate hole locations on the surface.

Position and mark the holesPosition and mark the holes 2

Drill, and check the depth on concrete

FOR CONCRETE — use the larger drill bit, then use the CR pencil to measure the depth of the hole with the flat end of the pencil. This is only a rough measurement; it is there to confirm the hole is deep enough.

FOR WOOD — use the smaller drill bit and go straight to step 4.

Holes must be deep enough or you will have a serious issue later.

Drill, and check the depth on concrete 3

Install the anchors (concrete only)

Once the holes are made and the depth is verified, hammer the anchors into the holes.

Periodically double-check: put the post onto the anchor and physically verify the washer and nut have only enough thread for the full height of the nut to screw on.

Hammer the anchor with 2 washers and 2 nuts fitted, with a nut at the very tip, to prevent over-insertion.

Install the anchors (concrete only) — Periodically Double Check! 4

Secure the post to the ground

Use the provided nut socket and bit extension.

FOR WOOD — (1) position the posts over the pre-drilled holes. (2) Install a washer and lag screw, one by one. (3) When all are installed, double-check each again to ensure all are tightened. If your drill has a hammer or impact function, enable it.

FOR CONCRETE — (1) with all the nuts and washers removed, put the posts onto the anchor bolts. (2) Hand-tighten a washer and nut over each anchor bolt. (3) Use the electric drill to tighten the nut — turn the hammer or impact function OFF.

What if the post is not level? If the ground is not level, use the included extra washers to shim the baseplate.

Secure the post to the groundSecure the post to the ground — FOR WOOD 5

Insert the post cap and the cover

Slide the post cover down to cover the baseplate, then insert the post cap to cover the top of the post.

Insert the post cap and the cover — Post Cover

Connecting rails: top rail connectors

Top rail connectors join one CR rail kit to the next, turn a corner, or close a run against a wall. They are fittings used inside the installation above, not a separate job.

  • TRC-SFm / TRC-CFm — straight fixed metal connector, for an in-line join.
  • TRC-SAp — straight adjustable connector, where the two rails are not quite in line.
  • TRC-CAp / TRC-BAp — corner and 180° adjustable connectors.
  • TRC-Wallv1 — L bracket, for terminating a rail into a wall.
  • TRC-EndM — metal top rail end cap, to close an open rail end.

Fit the connector before you secure the joint: seat both rails fully into the connector, then drive the self-drilling screws through the pre-made holes. Use 2 screws on each end of a top rail connector, on the bottom side.

Watch the top rail connector video

5-year warranty

Register your product within 30 days to activate the warranty.

To view our full warranty policy, visit www.fencerail.com/warranty.

Need help?

We are here to help you get it right. Text us a photo of the problem — it is the fastest way for us to see what you are looking at.

Call or text with photos: (800) 420-0432

WhatsApp: (775) 324-8877

Missing parts? We will replace them free — www.fencerail.com/parts

We can help with

  • Connecting multiple railings
  • Technical drawings
  • Complicated installations
  • Installation error
  • Missing parts

Source of this guide: Transposed from the shipped Top Mount Post Kit Installation Guide (44 pages), read from its own text layer.