How to Install a PVC Vinyl Porch Railing

Make a plan and buy your vinyl porch railing. Count the number of posts you will need, if the porch support posts are not already installed, and measure the distance between them; you want no more than about six feet between posts. Buy your railing, in a kit or in individual elements, but make sure all components are from the same manufacturer.

Mark your posts. This is the most important step in installing your vinyl porch railing. Mark the height for the top of your railing and also the center point on the post where it will fasten; two ends probably will attach to the house, so be sure those are marked for the same height and spacing. Then attach the bottom rail on one section.

Assemble your vinyl railings. Work on the ground or a driveway -- any flat surface. Attach your vertical railing posts to the top rail; most vinyl kits come with pre-cut holes that the posts slide into. You may glue these joints for a firmer railing. When a side is complete, lift it in place and attach it to the bottom rail; again, many kits have pre-cut holes the posts will slide into. You will require help lifting the section into place and holding it until it is firmly attached with brackets to the porch posts. Once a side is complete, move to the next section.

Make a railing of PVC plumbing pipe, if you are creative and want a really different look. PVC plumbing pipe comes in a variety of sizes, with fittings you can use to attach it to porch posts. Make top and bottom rails and drill holes for uprights. Assemble sections on the ground or a driveway; use PVC cement to attach upright posts to rails. When a section is complete, attach one set of fittings to a post, slide a matching set onto an end of the assembled railing, then put it into place. Slide the open ends of rails into the mounted fittings, put the other end in position and then fasten those fittings. You can attach fittings with screws.