FAQs - CR Fence & Rail

Products

What tools do I need to install your products?

We provide all the fasteners you’ll need, including screws for attaching the post to wood and plastic, as well as anchors for wood, cement or masonry.

The installation process will be easiest with a handheld power drill or hammer drill, and a set of screwdriver bits—but a multi or flexible screwdriver will also work in a pinch. If you need to cut your handrail to size, a cutting tool such as a hacksaw, angle grinder, or die grinder will come in handy.

Can your products be painted or stained to match my decor?

Absolutely! All our products come powder-coated with a 5-layer black finish that’s made to withstand even the most extreme weather conditions. This protective layer defends against flaking, chipping, scratches, and color deterioration.

Outdoor paint of any color will adhere to the protective layer—in fact, weather-resistant paint can even add an additional layer of defense against the elements, while customizing your rails to look exactly the way you want.

How do I clean and maintain my railings?

Cleaning your rails is easy! Our 5-layer weather-resistant coating already protects against most stains, while dirt is easy to clean off. We recommend following any of the methods below to clean your rails:

  1. Use a non-abrasive or microfiber cleaning cloth dampened with water to wipe and clear the rails from dust.
  2. If using cleaning liquids, we recommend water-based cleaners as these do not damage the finish of the rails. Make sure to dry the surface completely after cleaning to avoid staining and rusting.
  3. If opting for power washing, use the low setting to avoid damage to your rails.

To maintain your railings, we recommend waxing the exposed areas using either commercial car wax or beeswax furniture polish for extra protection and to keep it looking shiny and new. Apply the wax using a soft cloth and rub it gently in circular motions. Allow the wax to dry for at least 20 minutes before buffing it off with a clean, dry cloth.

Do your rails heat up on sunny days?

Like any product made of metal, our rails will heat up a bit on sunny and/or hot days. However, our 5-layer protective powder coating is weather-resistant, and will prevent your railing from becoming too hot to touch. In the unusual circumstance that your railing becomes too hot, simply wiping it down with cold water will quickly cool it off again.

What are the dimensions of the included tools and what are the considerations when using them?
  • Wood drill bit: 5/16” (M8) W x 3” (75mm) L
  • Masonry drill bit: 5/16” (M8) W x 4-3/4” (120mm) L
  • Wedge anchor: 5/16” (M8) W x 3-1/8” (80mm) L
  • Lag screws: 5/16” (M8) W x 1.9/16” (40mm) L

When installing our posts on any type of flooring (e.g., composite wood) and it is too thin, you will need to purchase longer screws or anchors elsewhere in order for the products to be mounted properly on the inner floor.

How hard would it be to build my own rail kit from scratch?

Building a metal handrail from scratch is a fairly time-intensive process, and requires several professional tools. You’d need to start by measuring the height and depth of your steps, as well as the offset distance between the edge of the steps and the post markers. Then you’d need to determine the angle of the rails, as well as the length of each piece of pipe, and buy correctly angled fittings as well as a sufficient amount of pipe. You’d likely also need to choose the correct flanges, swivel fittings, and malleable plugs, as well as fasteners for wood or concrete. After placing the flanges to mark the position of each fitting, you’d secure the fittings to the wood or concrete surface using a power drill, insert the vertical posts, then attach the fittings to the horizontal post and secure it in place.

Building your own handrail from scratch can be a fun weekend project, but our DIY prefabricated rail kits enable you to complete the installation in an hour or less. We include all the components and fasteners, so all you’ll have to do on your end is saw the lengths of metal down to size (if necessary) and secure the components in place.

What choices are available for prefabricated DIY handrail kits?

CR Fence & Rail offers a diverse selection of handrail kits, suitable for a wide variety of installation scenarios.

Stair Handrail Kits

Available in 6 different lengths, from 1-2 steps all the way to 6 steps.

Horizontal Handrail Kits

Available in 2 different lengths: 4-foot and 6-foot.

Metal Guard Rail Kits

Available in 4-foot and 6-foot lengths, from 4’ wide / 32” tall to 6’ wide / 36” tall.

Cable Rail Posts

Available in straight 36” and 42” sizes, corner 36” and 42” sizes, and a 36” stair size.

We also sell individual posts, fasteners, drill bits and fasteners—though our handrail, guard rail and post kits include all the components you’ll need to install them.

What factors should I consider when selecting a railing kit?

The most important factor you should consider is to ensure the kit you choose is the right size for your installation scenario. If in doubt, it’s best to err slightly larger as you can always cut down the rail to fit. When selecting a kit, you should also ensure it’s sturdy enough to withstand the weight it’ll have to bear, and can withstand extremes of hot and cold.

Should I hire a handyman to install my railings, or do it myself?

All our rail kits are designed to be easy to install in an hour or less. As long as you’re comfortable with using simple power tools, you should be able to handle the job without any special assistance. In fact, more than 3,000 happy customers say their railings were remarkably fast and easy to install!

I want to install my railings before my connectors arrive. How do I go about this?

Depending on the type of connection and your layout, the distance will vary. However, the tolerance for any discrepancies or errors is only 1/4".

However, we suggest you wait for all parts and rails to arrive before you begin installing the railing system as the top rail positioning will determine where posts will be placed. Once installed, repositioning the posts will require more effort. For the smoothest installation experience, we recommend that you wait for the top rail connectors so you can fit out the top rails and position the posts accordingly.

My stair handrail’s top rail is too long or too short. What should I do?

No worries, this can be easily fixed! Usually, this just means the top and bottom posts have been accidentally reversed.

For more info on how this can be resolved, you may refer to our guide.

Can I install my railings on any surface?

The Guard Rails come with the necessary brackets, drill bits, and anchors to secure the rails to wood, vinyl, metal or masonry walls. If you are planning on installing these on harder surfaces like granite, you will need a diamond drill bit (5/16" x 3.5")—which provide for free. Send us a message if you need one.

How can I connect my rails together?

Aside from the instruction manuals that come with all orders, we also have a list of guides that will teach you how to connect your rail kits to each other.

For more info on our instruction guides and videos, you may refer to this page.

Refund & Warranty

What is your refund policy?

At CR Fence & Rail, we provide a 100% money-back guarantee with a 365-day refund policy for any reason, regardless of the product's condition. 

Other scenarios: 

Wrong item 

If you receive an incorrect item, like a different variant or size, please do not open the box. Instead, email us or send a text using the contact details on the box. For a quicker resolution, please include the following information in your message: SKU number, the shipping label, and a photo of the item

Damaged item 

If you have a damaged or used product, you don't need to return it. Just send us a photo or proof that you've disposed of it. Once we have confirmed the damages, we can either ship you a replacement at no additional cost or provide you with a full refund. 

If the product is unused and in a condition that allows it to be repackaged, we'll accept the return and cover the shipping costs, including UPS pickup service. For questions or need assistance, our customer service team is here to help. Email us at support@fencerail.com or text us at (800) 420-0432

Missing item 

Upon receiving your order, please check if all items are complete and correct. If you find that something is missing, please get in touch with us. Once we confirm the missing item, we'll guide you on the next steps. Rest assured, there will be no additional shipping charges for the replacement. 

What is your refund process?

Step 1: Contact us

Send an email to support@fencerail.com or text us at (800) 420-0432 to start your return/refund request. Please include a photo or video of the issue.

Step 2: Assessment 

Our customer service team will review your request and inform you of the next steps based on the item's condition.

Step 3: Return the item 

Once we've checked your request, we'll email you a return label. You can then send the items back to us (if required). If you prefer, we can also arrange for a UPS pick-up. Please let us know once you've returned the product so we can take the next step.

Step 4: Verification & notification 

Once we've verified your return, we'll update you on your return/refund status. If you have yet to receive your refund within 3-5 business days, feel free to reach out to our customer service team for help.

I got a defective item. What should I do?
No worries! If you've received a defective item, please send an email to support@fencerail.com or text us at (800) 420-0432 with a description of the issue, and if possible, include images or a short video. Our team will review your request and assist you with the next steps.
My order is missing some products or parts. Will you ship them?
Yes, we will! If you're missing items or parts from your order, please send an email to support@fencerail.com or text us at (800) 420-0432. Provide the required information, and our team will assist you with the next steps. Shipping is on us!
Do you have a warranty program?

Yes, CR Fence & Rail offers a 10-year warranty on our handrails. This means you're protected from common issues like rust, corrosion, and damage for the next 10 years. While our handrails are resistant to rust, they may gather some rust over time, but it happens slowly. Your handrail is built to last, and our warranty covers you for a decade.

To keep your warranty valid, save the email we sent you after your purchase with your order number and email. If you have questions or concerns, email us at support@fencerail.com or text us at (800) 420-0432.

Shipping

How much does shipping cost?
You can enjoy your purchases without any extra fees—our shipping is absolutely free! 
How long will shipping take?

We typically need 4 business days to get your order ready and delivered. Sometimes it might take a bit longer, as we also consider the distance from the warehouse to your address.

Delays can also happen during busy times, holidays, strikes, or if there's a problem with the courier. But rest assured, we'll do our best to make sure your order arrives on time.

Do you ship globally?

We currently ship CR Fence & Rail products to Australia, Canada, and the United States. We're happy that you're interested in our products from other regions too.

We’re looking to grow and offer safety solutions worldwide soon, and make safety easily accessible with CR Fence & Rail. We hope to deliver our products to your area soon!

Have more questions?

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