A Short Discussion of Railings
Railings present unavoidable maintenance challenges. They are generally unsheltered from weather, and their numerous seams and joints present myriad conduits for moisture intrusion. Consequently railings are commonly regarded as expendable fixtures requiring periodic replacement.
Such need not be the case. Gary D. Torgerson Co. railings are fabricated with multiple redundant moisture barriers. Top surfaces are typically either pitched to shed water or are metal flashed. Components are precoated on all surfaces prior to assembly. Seams and joints are bridged with tough elastic sealants. In addition to pleasing aesthetics, our railings are conspicuously durable structures.
View Examples of our Work:
The following documents Gary D. Torgerson Co. expertise in railing construction and maintenance.
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(1, 1) Rotted railing, and construction of its replacement |
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(1, 2) On site assembly |
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(1, 3) Completion |
The original structure was built of a raw wood, then painted. Decay from within was inevitable. Its replacement reflects our Company’s long accumulated experience in constructing durable wooden railings. Components are precoated (and thoroughly sealed) prior to assembly. Seams are bridged with tough elastic sealants. Wood does not contact soil.
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(2, 1) 1983 entry prior to rip out |
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(2, 2) 1983 construction, photographed 2008 |
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(2, 3) Details of twenty-eight year old railing |
This railing testifies to the effectiveness of pitching horizontals, precoating, and sealing all joints. In 1996 the structure was repainted (see Classic Box #2). There has been no further maintenance.
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Example 3
Fiberglass decking extends up the post cores for a most effective water barrier. The visible posts are in fact sleeves which do not contact the deck. The flat caps are disguised metal flashing. All components are precoated. The future is most unlikely to repeat the past.
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(3, 1) Completely flat horizontals, unsealed joints and end grain, numerous water traps |
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(3, 2) Rebuild in progress |
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(3, 3) Completion |
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(4, 1) Preexisting veranda, and ripout |
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(4, 2) Assembly of precoated railings, precoated spandrels |
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(4, 3) Finished railing sections in transit |
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(4-4,5,6) This railing construction is integral to our Company’s ongoing restoration of a century old Victorian.
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(5, 1) The toll of nearly a century of no overhead shelter, veranda’s east end |
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(5, 2) Rip out |
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(5, 3) Veranda’s west end |
The original 12” wide 4” thick railing sections were cut from clear old growth fir. Such material today is scarcely available. The replacement railings were laminated from ½” thick clear cedar stock.
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(5, 4) Fabrication of replacement railings. |
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(5, 5) Completion |
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(5, 6)Completion |
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Example 6
Sometime in the past this century old home’s veranda had been enclosed with little attention to moisture barriers. Following our restorative work this transition from veranda to sunroom is now durable as well as elegant.
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(6, 1) Rotted railing, and replacement |
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(6, 2) The consequences of disregarding moisture barriers |
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(6, 3) Rotted end grain, and repaired |
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(6, 4) Completion |
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(6, 5) Rotted post base, and repair |
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(6, 6) Completion |
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Example 7
Our Company’s railing design sought to achieve an esthetic commensurate with the architecture of this
century old (and now pristine) Classic Box home.
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(7, 1) Preexisting entry |
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(7, 2) Rip out |
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(7, 3) New railing, and detail |
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Example 8
Decay aside, the original posts’ square cross section greatly reduced deck area. Our replacement design employs narrow posts set at the deck’s outer perimeter to enhance useable space.
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(8, 1) Preexisting railings |
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(8, 2) Post construction concurrent with fiberglass deck installation, and precoated railing section. |
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(8, 3) Completion |
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Example 9
As installed by our Company, metal flashed railing caps provide unobtrusive and highly effective protection. So shielded these unpitched flats then provide convenient resting places for potted plants, glasses, or whatever with no concern for the long term effects of standing water.
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(9, 1) Neglected deck rail |
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(9, 2) Metal flashing installation |
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(9, 3) Deteriorating balcony rail cap, and metal flashed |
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