Skyline SFG.V1.05.20.2024 Glass Panel Framed Glass Railing User Guide

Skyline SFG.V1.05.20.2024 Glass Panel Framed Glass Railing

Product Specifications

• Product Name: Framed Glass Railing Level Railing
• Model Number: SFG.V1.05.20.2024
• Assembly Recommendation: 2 people
• Material: Powder-coated aluminum
• Recommended Usage: Level railing sections only

Product Usage Instructions

Required Tools for Assembly

Note : When cutting any powder-coated aluminum parts, make sure to coat the cut ends in Skyline Touch-Up paint to protect the metal from corrosion.

Using The Drill Guide
Your drill guide is designed to be used with multiple Skyline Glass Railing systems. Make sure to use the correct drill guide markings for your railing system.

Step 1: Mount Your Posts
For Surface Mount Posts, follow Step 1A. For Fascia Mount Posts, follow Step 1B.

Step 1A: Install Surface Mount Posts

Surface Mount Post Parts & Pieces

• Post Cap
• Post
• Decorative Screw Covers
• Surface Post Shim Kit
• Base Plate Base-to-Post Screws (6 per post)
• Neoprene Rubber Base Pad

1A.1: Determine Where Your Posts Go
Measure the perimeter of your deck and mark where each post will mount. Posts can be up to 5′ apart from the edge of one post to the edge of the next. Make sure your first and last posts are less than 4′ from the wall and there will be no gaps of more than 4′ in your setup when glass panels are installed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Are these instructions suitable for angled stair railing sections?
  A: No, these instructions are specifically for level railing sections only. For help with angled stair sections, please contact your retailer for specially-designed glass panels.

• Q: Who is responsible for understanding and adhering to building codes and safety requirements?
  A: It is the installer’s responsibility to understand and adhere to local building codes and safety requirements, and to obtain all required building permits before installing the product.

Framed Glass Railing
Level Railing Installation Instructions & User Guide

Thank You For Letting Us Expand Your View!
Congratulations on your new Skyline Glass Railing – incredible deck views are right around the corner! We’re so glad you chose to work with us. If you have any questions or need further help with installation, please contact your retailer.

Please Note
Important: These instructions are for level railing sections only. For help with angled stair sections, contact your retailer, as glass will have to be specially-designed to match the slope of your stairs.

We recommend 2 people for assembly
It is the installer’s responsibility to understand and adhere to local building codes and safety requirements, and to obtain all required building permits before installing. Skyline and your retailer are not liable for improper or unsafe installations of this product.

Required Tools for Assembly

• Skyline Glass Railing Drill Guide
• Safety glasses
• Ear protection
• Gloves
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Miter saw with carbide-tipped blade (minimum tooth count: 60)
• Level
• Power drill
• Phillips Driver bits
• 1/8” and 5/32” drill bits
• Impact Driver (recommended)
• Center punch
• Rubber Mallet
• Painter’s tape
• Screwdriver
• Foaming dish soap
• Touch up paint

Note: When cutting any powder-coated aluminum parts, make sure to coat the cut ends in Skyline Touch-Up paint to protect the metal from corrosion.

Using The Drill Guide
Your drill guide is designed to be used with multiple Skyline Glass Railing systems. Make sure to use the correct drill guide markings for your railing system.

Key

• Surface mount guide steps are shown in Blue
• Fascia mount guide steps are shown in Red

Note : the numbered notches are not listed in numerical order.
Drill guides are designed for level railing sections only. For angled stair railing sections, contact your retailer.

Step 1: Mount Your Posts
For Surface Mount Posts, follow Step 1A.
For Fascia Mount Posts, follow Step 1B.

Step 1A: Install Surface Mount Posts
Surface Mount Post Parts & Pieces

OPTIONAL: Your setup may or may not need these specialized post parts for 135-degree angles:

1A.1: Determine Where Your Posts Go
Measure the perimeter of your deck and mark where each post will mount. Posts can be up to 5’ apart from the edge of one post to the edge of the next. Make sure your first and last posts are less than 4” from the wall and there will be no gaps of more than 4” in your setup when glass panels are installed.

Don’t space your posts any further apart, or your top and bottom rails will not reach!
You can cut your rails down to shorter lengths – we’ll walk through measuring and cutting in future steps.

1A.2: Prepare Your Deck Frame With Enough Blocking Under Each Post
If you’re mounting posts onto a deck surface, make sure you have enough framing or blocking underneath the surface to securely hold your post.
Each 5” post mounting lag screw should drive into at least 4” of solid wood – so you may need to add wood blocking to your deck frame underneath each spot you’ve marked to mount a post.

1A.3: Measure & Cut Posts
Tape the drill guide to your post using painter’s tape, with the bottom of the drill guide flush with the bottom of the post.

• Always use painter’s tape – other tapes can leave a sticky residue
• Tape the guide as shown here, so your markings are on the scribe side, or the side with the scribe line on it.

Use the drill guide instructions to mark the required height of your post with a light pencil mark. For Skyline Framed Glass Railing with surface-mount posts, use notch #3.
Cut the post using a miter saw with a carbide-tipped blade that has a high tooth count – 60 teeth or more. Coat the cut ends in touch-up paint to protect it from corrosion.

1A.4: Attach Base Plate To Post
Turn the post upside down and attach the cut end to the base plate using 6 base-to-post installation screws. We recommend using an impact driver.

1A.5: Mount Post To Deck
Note: Only install enough posts to install one glass panel at a time. This will ensure that the spacing is correct for each pane of glass.
Position your post on the deck, making sure that:

• The post is square to the deck edge
• There’s enough blocking under all four holes in the base plate
• Whenever possible, the scribe line of the post is facing inside the rail section, where the glass will go

Mark all four holes, then pre-drill pilot holes:

• If you’re using 3/8” lag screws, drill 1/4” pilot holes
• If you’re using 3/8” bolts, drill 13/32” pilot holes

Remove the backing from your neoprene rubber base pad and attach the pad to your base plate.
Start attaching your post to the deck surface, running your post mounting fasteners through the screw cover parts as shown here.

• Post mounting fasteners are sold separately and will vary based on your mounting surface
• If your post isn’t plumb, use shims from the shim kit to level it
• Make sure the slotted base of your screw cover faces outwards so you can remove the caps later if needed Tighten post mounting fasteners until the fastener head is firmly seated against the base plate. Do not overtighten.
• Don’t install the screw cap covers until you’ve installed your entire railing.

Step 1B: Install Fascia Mount Posts
Fascia Mount Post Parts & Pieces

1B.1: Determine Where Your Posts Go
Measure the perimeter of your deck and mark where each post will mount. Posts can be up to 5’ apart from the edge of one post to the edge of the next.

Don’t space your posts any further apart, or your top and bottom rails will not reach!
You can cut your rails down to shorter lengths – we’ll walk through measuring and cutting in future steps. Make sure your first and last posts are less than 4” from the wall and there are no gaps of more than 4” in your setup.

1B.2: Attach Neoprene Gaskets
Note: Only install enough posts to install one glass panel at a time. This will ensure that the spacing is correct for each pane of glass.

How to know if you need to use shim stacks
If your deck boards hang over the edge of your deck frame, you will need to use Shim Stacks to offset your fascia brackets. If your deck boards are flush with the edge of your framing, you can discard the Shim Stacks.

If you’re not using shim stacks, attach the neoprene gaskets to your fascia brackets. If you are using shim stacks, attach the neoprene gaskets to your shim stacks. Later, you’ll fit the shim stacks between your fascia bracket and fascia board – make sure the neoprene gasket is facing the board.

1B.3: Mount Fascia Brackets

First, pre-drill holes:
Start with your corner brackets. Place them on the corners of your deck at your desired height. Mark the hole locations and pre-drill.

• If you’re using 3/8” lag screws, drill 1/4” pilot holes
• If you’re using 3/8” bolts, drill 13/32” pilot holes

Then move to your line brackets. Pre-install a post inside the line bracket using two fascia bracket screws. Place the bracket according to your post spacing marks and align it to your desired height.
Mark one hole location, remove the bracket, and pre-drill a hole. Then use your post mounting fasteners (sold separately; these will vary based on your framing setup) to attach the bracket through the one hole. Then use a level and rotate the bracket until the post is plumb. Mark the three remaining holes, remove the bracket, and pre-drill the remaining holes.

Next, mount brackets
With the bracket holes pre-drilled, start attaching your brackets from the end of the railing.

• If you’re using shim stacks, make sure the neoprene gasket is between the fascia board and the metal parts
• The shim stacks for corner posts and line posts are slightly different. Make sure you’re using the right ones for each bracket.
• Tighten your post mounting fasteners until the heads are fully seated against the bracket surface. Don’t overtighten.
• Don’t install the screw cap covers until you’ve installed your entire railing.

Line Fascia Bracket Mounting Detail

Inside Corner Fascia Bracket Mounting Detail

Outside Corner Fascia Bracket Mounting Detail

1B.4: Measure & Cut Posts
Insert a post into your fascia bracket and line up the bottom of the post with the bottom of the bracket. Use fascia bracket screws to attach the post to the bracket.

Place the drill guide against the post and line up the bottom of the drill guide with the deck surface. Use the drill guide instructions to mark the required height of your post. For Skyline Framed Glass Railing with fascia- mount posts, use notch #1.

Remove the post from the bracket and cut it to size. Cut the post using a miter saw with a carbide-tipped blade that has a high tooth count – 60 teeth or more. Coat the cut end in touch-up paint to protect it from corrosion.
Then use this first post to mark and cut the remaining posts to the same height.

1B.5: Attach Posts To Deck Frame
Install all of the posts into their brackets and secure them using the fascia bracket screws. Whenever possible, make sure the scribe line on the post is facing the inside of the railing section, where the glass will go.
Install bottom plates onto your posts and/or fascia brackets. The bottom plates for line brackets, inside corner brackets, and outside corner brackets are slightly different, so make sure you are using the correct bottom cap for each post.
Use a level to make sure your posts are plumb. You can vary the torque on the fasteners connecting your fascia brackets to your fascia boards in order to plumb the posts.

Step 2: Install Rails

Rail & Glass Parts & Pieces

2.1: Mark Rail Connecting Block (RCB) Locations
Place the drill guide on the post, lining up the bottom of the guide with the top of the post base plate (for surface mount posts) or the deck surface (for fascia mount posts). Tape the drill guide in place with painter’s tape.
Find the holes marked for Skyline Framed Glass Railing. Holes for surface mount posts are labeled in blue. Holes for fascia mount posts are labeled in red.
Use a center punch to mark the RCB holes for the top and bottom RCBs. We’ll pre-drill these in the next step. Make large enough holes that the drill bit will stay centered.

Attach RCBs to Posts
Pre-install the RCB screws, gently screwing them through the RCB until they protrude 1/8” from the other side. This will keep the RCB from spinning when you install it.
Use a 1/8” drill bit to pre-drill holes in your post where you marked them with the center punch. Use touch-up paint to coat the exposed aluminum in the drilled holes to protect against corrosion.
Use a power drill (not an impact driver) to attach the top and bottom RCBs to your post as shown.

Measure & Cut Rails, Infill, Vinyls, and Underside Cover
Make sure your posts are fully fastened down and perfectly plumb. Then measure the distance between the two posts.
Cut these six parts to that distance minus 1/16”:

1. Top rail
2. Bottom rail
3. Top rail infill
4. Top rail glass vinyl
5. Bottom rail glass vinyl
6. Underside cover

Coat the cut ends of any metal parts in touch-up paint.

Install Bottom Rail
Use a 5/32” drill bit to drill two clearance holes in the bottom of your bottom rail, one 1-1/4” from each end of the rail.
Loosen the post mounting fasteners on the two posts so you can pull the posts slightly away from each other. This will allow you to lower your rail into place without scratching the posts.
Lower the bottom rail into place, pressing it onto the bottom RCBs and make sure your rail is level. Re-tighten your post mounting fasteners.

Using your clearance holes as a guide, drill a 1/8” pilot hole downwards into the RCB. Then fasten the bottom rail to the RCB using a bottom rail-to-bracket screw and repeat for the other side of the bottom rail.

Install Top Rail
Use a 5/32” drill bit to drill two clearance holes in the top of the top rail infill, one 1-1/4” from each end of the rail.
Pull the posts apart just enough to prevent scratching and insert the top rail infill underneath your installed RCBs. (You may have to loosen your post mounting fasteners slightly again, re-tightening them once your top rail infill is in place).
Using the clearance holes as a guide, drill a 1/8” pilot hole upwards into the RCB. Then fasten the top rail infill to the RCB using a top rail-to-bracket screw and repeat for the other side of the top rail.
Hand press the top rail onto the top rail infill until it snaps into place.

Insert Glass Vinyls
Find the top and bottom rail glass vinyls you cut in step 2.3. Blow out any loose vinyl chips left in the channels from cutting.
Insert the top rail glass vinyl into the underside of the top rail infill.

Insert the bottom rail glass vinyl into the bottom rail.

Install Underside Cover
Press the underside cover into the underside of the bottom rail until it snaps into place.

Step 3: Install Glass Panel

Apply Foaming Dish Soap
Generously apply a foaming dish soap to the top and bottom glass vinyl inserts. This will make it easier to slide the glass panel into place.

Insert Glass into Rails
Glass Panel Tips:

• Glass panels are fragile – move them with care
• Always use at least 2 people to lift large glass panels
• Always lift glass panels by the sides
• Make sure glass panels are in perfect condition before installing them – inspect for any cracks
• Do not bump the edges

Make sure the glass panel is centered. It’s extremely difficult to move the glass once it’s inserted.
Have two or more people carefully lift the glass panel and insert it into the top rail glass vinyl as shown in Sequence-01.
Move the glass up smoothly as shown in Sequence-02 until it’s fully seated in the top rail glass vinyl as shown in Sequence-03.
Pull the glass to slide it into the bottom rail vinyl as shown in Sequence-04. Double check to ensure the glass panel is fully engaged in the glass vinyl insert.

Step 4: Finishing Details

Drill Weep Holes In Surface Mount Posts
For any surface-mount posts, mark for a weep hole at the bottom of the post facing in towards the deck.
Drill the weep hole, then coat it with touch- up paint to protect from corrosion.
Fascia mount posts do not need weep holes drilled.

Install Post Caps
Line up the post cap and press it down onto the top of your post.
If the cap doesn’t fully seat, cover it with a clean cloth and tap it with a rubber mallet.

Snap On Bolt Caps
Snap bolt caps into place at the base of all posts. If the cap doesn’t fully seat, lay a clean cloth over the cap and tap it into place with a hammer.

Maintenance & Care

We recommend cleaning your Skyline Glass Railing 2-3 times a year using a mixture of water and mild detergent (like dish soap) and a lint-free microfiber cloth. Wet down your railing with a garden hose, then hand wash all surfaces with the soapy water and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Use a squeegee to wipe down the glass.
For railings near saltwater, we recommend more frequent cleaning.

Avoid contact with

• Nail polish remover
• Paint
• Lacquer thinner
• Motor oils
• Transmission and brake fluids
• Other solvent-based cleaning fluids

If your railing comes in contact with any of these, immediately wipe it away and wash using the instructions above.

Warranty Information

Your Skyline Framed Glass Railing is covered by a 10-year Limited Warranty for residential installations. Please reach out to your retailer with any warranty claims or questions.

Share Photos So We Can Celebrate With You!
We would love to see pictures of your finished project and celebrate your incredible new deck view with you! Tag #SkylineRailing on social media to share your best photos. We especially love to see before & after photos so we can celebrate the transformation!

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