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< Previous Page Installing Base Mounting BlocksTrimming Posts to length: If you have not already done so, your first step is to cut each Post to length, allowing for the thickness of the Base Mounting Blocks. Posts must have sufficient flat, unturned portions at their tops & bottoms to accommodate your chosen decorative Gingerbread at the top and the Balustrade at the bottom. Ideally, the bottom of your upper decorative trim should fall slightly above the Post turning. Likewise, several inches of the square portion of the Post is typically exposed above the Handrail. While exact vertical apportionment is not critical, your chosen Gingerbread and Balustrade must fall entirely within the unturned portion of each Post. Keep the above considerations in mind if you need to trim your Post to length. Paint Posts Prior to Installation: After trimming to length completely paint all surfaces including tops and bottoms with a coat of premium oil-based primer and multiple coats of quality oil-based paint. (Polyurethane Posts only need to be painted on their ends, and for Half Posts, on their back sides, to protect the exposed wood core, as they are provided with a baked factory finish.) Oil-based paint will protect the wood for a longer life span, as it tends to penetrate and bond with the wood surface better. Latex paints do not provide the thicker and harder surface protection exterior trim requires. Likewise stains, while fine for interior work, don't adequately inhibit internal moisture changes. Wood's end grain absorbs moisture readily, so use extra coats of paint on all ends! Remember to refinish before the paint/stain starts wearing thin or peeling. Installing Base Mounting Blocks: You will want to attach the Blocks to the bottoms of the Posts prior to installing the Posts into final position. This is best done with 4 wood screws long enough to penetrate through the Blocks and at least 1" into the Post bottoms. Predrill your Blocks completely through. The hole size should allow the screws to pass through snuggly. For Polyurethane Posts, be sure your screw holes are positioned so that the screws will be within the borders of the wood core. Hold each Block into position with equal amount projecting beyond all 4 sides of the Post. (If working alone, use tape to hold Block into place.) Insert a nail into one of the holes and tap it once with a hammer. Mark this hole on the bottom of the Block and on the bottom of the Post, as you will need to know later which Block hole matches which Post hole. Remove the nail and Block and predrill into the bottom of the Post to accept the first screw. This hole should be slightly smaller than the screw to provide good holding power. Reposition your Block, with the marked hole over the predrilled hole at the bottom of your Post. Screw the first screw into place. Using your nail, tap a mark onto the bottom of the Post to locate where to drill the other 3 holes. Remove the first screw once more. Completely smear the bottom of the Post with builder's caulk. If you use caulk that dries appropriately, you will be able to trim any excess caulk from around the edges of the Post after it dries. Reposition the block into place, matching your marked holes. Replace the first screw first, and then install the other 3 screws. Installing the Posts: Place the first Post into final position. Since our Base Mounting Blocks project beyond the edge of the Post, you can screw through this projecting area for anchoring into the porch deck. You will need to predrill these screw holes at an angle. To secure the tops of your Posts, predrill and countersink through the Porch Post at an angle into the soffit or beam. Secure the Post tops with rust-resistant screws. For Polyurethane Posts, use screws of sufficient length to pass through the wood core. Repeat for each side of the Post. All countersunk screw holes should be filled with wood filler and sanded. Apply touch up paint as needed. For Polyurethane Posts, use vinyl spackle or Bondo-type plastic filler. |
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