Product Description
Side Mount Universal Top 2″ Square Posts provide the foundation for a cable railing system. Side Mount posts are fascia mounted to preserve the maximum space on your deck, stairs or balcony.
Our cable railing posts are available in multiple material types (304 Stainless Steel, 316 Stainless Steel & Aluminum), and in multiple finishes (Brushed, Powder Coated Black, White, Pewter & Copper Vein). All holes are drilled with 3.125″ spacing, and we recommend putting a post at least every 4 feet to reduce deflection and ensure that you meet code. Guide to getting started with Viewrail.
For precise measurements of each of the mounting options (Standard, Inside Corner & Outside Corner), and signed and stamped engineering load specs please view our “specifications” tab.
All “LH” posts are designed to go on the left side of the stairs (when standing at the bottom looking up), and all “RH” posts are designed to go on the right side of the stairs (when standing at the bottom looking up).
Post Configuration Details:
“A” – The “A” post is designed to be a start or end post on level runs. It has level 1/2″ holes drilled on both sides of the post. Recommended fittings: “Level Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits).
“A-2” – The “A-2″ post is designed to be an intermediate post on level runs. It has level 1/2” holes drilled on both sides of the post. Recommended fittings: “Steel Insert Sleeves” (36″ – 20, 39″ – 22, 42″ – 24).
“A-5” – The “A-5″ post is designed to be an intermediate post on level runs. It has level 5/16” holes drilled on both sides of the post. The cable will simply pass directly through the post, no additional fittings are required.
“B” – The “B” (Up or Down) post is designed to be a start or end post on angled stair runs. It has 1/2″ offset* holes drilled on both sides of the post. Recommended fittings: “Angle Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits). The “Up” or “Down” options refer to the direction the cable will be travelling when it exits the post.
“B-5” – The “B-5″ post is designed to be an intermediate post on angled stair runs. It has 5/16” offset* holes drilled on both sides of the post. Recommended fittings: “Adhesive Sleeves” (36″ – 20, 39″ – 22, 42″ – 24).
“C” – The “C” post is designed to be a level corner post where one run of cable ends, and another begins (going left or right depending on your selection). It has level 1/2″ holes drilled on both sides of the post, and a set of KeyMount holes turning left or right. Recommended fittings: “Level Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits) & “KeyMount Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits).
“D” – The “D” cable railing post is designed to turn a corner from an angled staircase to a level balcony turning left or right. It has 1/2″ offset* holes drilled on opposite sides of the post, and 1/2″ level holes drilled on the other two faces. Recommended fittings: “Angle Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits) & “Level Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits).
“F” – The “F” post is designed to be a start post on level runs. One side of the post has level KeyMount holes drilled into it, the other three sides of the post are completely clean (pick this post for an extra clean look). Recommended fittings: “KeyMount Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits). 
“G” – The “G” post is designed to transition from a stair (angled) section to a level section while maintaining your handrail height. It has 5/16″ holes drilled on opposite sides of the post. Recommended fittings: “Adhesive Sleeve” (20, 22, or 24 sleeves depending on handrail height). Additional Hardware: The Postside Handrail Bracket will make transitioning this handrail much easier.
“H” – The “H” post is designed to transition from 36″ tall stair section to a 39″ or 42″ level balcony section. It has 10, 5/16″ offset* holes drilled on opposite sides of the posts, in addition it has one (39″) or two (42″) KeyMount holes drilled at the top of the high side of the post. Recommended fittings: “Adhesive Sleeve” (20 sleeves) & “KeyMount Kits” (39″ – 1 kit, 42″ – 2 kits). Additional hardware: The Postside Handrail Bracket will make transitioning this handrail much easier.
“I” – The “I” post is designed to turn a corner from an angled staircase and change heights to a level balcony turning left or right. It has 10, 1/2″ offset* holes drilled on opposite sides of the post, and 11 (39″) or 12 (42″), 1/2″ level holes drilled on the other two faces. Recommended fittings: “Angle Tension Kits” (36″ – 10 kits) & “Level Tension Kits” (39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits). Additional hardware: The Postside Handrail Bracket will make transitioning this handrail much easier.
“J” – The “J” (up or down) post is designed to be a start post on angle stair runs. One side of the post has KeyMount holes drilled into it, the other three sides of the post are completely clean (pick this post for an extra clean look). Recommended fittings: “KeyMount Kits” (36″ – 10 kits, 39″ – 11 kits, 42″ – 12 kits).
“S” – The “S” post is shipped without any holes pre-drilled in the post itself (handrail bracket and foot still come pre-drilled). Select this post if you have an application where cables aren’t necessary but you still want to run handrail, or in a custom application and you want to drill the holes yourself.
* All offset holes are drilled at 40 degrees (the typical angle of a staircase), these 40 degree holes work with angles between 36 – 42 degrees. If you staircase falls outside those angles custom hole drilling can be requested at no additional charge.
Posts are manufactured 1″ designed shorter than their defined height. This will allow you to be at the exact height with our 1″ tall metal handrail, or slightly over with our 1 5/8″ tall 6000 series handrail.
The standard brackets that come with our posts are designed to work with flat bottom handrail, if you order our Round Metal Handrail 2″, we’ll automatically select rounded brackets to work with the handrail. If you have round wood handrail, or are ordering an additional post for your project please specify in the notes if you need a rounded bracket.
Mounting feet come with 4 holes for 3/8″ fasteners. The handrail bracket also comes with 6 pre-drilled holes to secure the handrail.
Product Q&A
what is size of square mounting bracket
Hi Liz,
The Side Mount Bracket is 6″ x 6″, with 4 holes for mounting the posts to your stairs or deck. Let us know if you have any more questions.
What is the offset for the side mount bracket? I need to be able to have the post go past a stair nosing.
The standard offset is 3/8″, however we can custom make these with larger offsets (we call them bump-out plates) so that they clear your stair nosing. In order to get these you would have to call.
Is the side mount bracket attached with bolts?
It depends on your specific application. If you’re able to access the backside of whatever you’re mounting into then yes, I would recommend using carriage bolts. Or if you’d prefer to add additional wood blocking you can use our 6″ post mounting screws.
Are the screws included to mount the post and are screws included to mount the handail or are the screws for everything purchased separately?
Hi Catherine,
The post & handrail mounting screws aren’t included because different applications require different types of screws. You’d need to purchase them all separately. We recommend 4 post mounting screws & 6 handrail mounting screws per post.
is there a cap or is the 2 x2 post open on the bottom?
Hi Bill,
We weld a piece onto the bottom of the post to give it a finished look. If for some reason in your application you want us to leave the bottom off we can definitely do that.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
For Aluminum side-mounted posts to concrete floor slab, what type of bolt should we use? The specs and engineered drawings do not include that detail.
Hi Wei,
You would want to check with concrete bolt manufacturers to see what they recommend to work with our specific posts. If you need custom mounting brackets that’s something we can definitely do, we would just need to know the specifications.
What I’d the thickness of the walls of the posts and are they reinforced?
Brian,
The 304 Stainless Steel is .0747 inches.
The 316 Stainless Steel is .1196 inches.
The Aluminum is .155 inches.
All of these measurements will be within standard tolerances.
Are these posts available with no holed drilled?
Hi Tzachi,
Absolutely! You’d be looking for an “S” configuration post. The “S” post comes with no holes pre-drilled in the post.
Best,
The StairSupplies Support Team
when running a straight line of rail on a deck how far do the post have to be apart.
With the side mount brackets can they just be screwed directly through the fascia board into the framing.
Thanks for the question kleve,
For cable railing, posts should be placed no more than 4 feet apart. Spans greater than 4 feet will allow too much cable deflection. Be sure and check the code in your area.
Best,
StairSupplise Customer Support
looks like the I post transition is not available, what is my other option to make a 90 turn then transition to stairs.
kleve,
we have both the I right hand and I left hand transition available for the side mount universal top post. You have to scroll down inside the “Post Configuration” option drop down menu on the product page.
If you have trouble selecting that option, call one of our specialists at (866) 226 6536 and they can make sure you get the post you need.
Best,
StairSupplies Customer Support
What is the actual end to end length of the side mount posts? Is 36″ really 36″ + 6″ for the base attachment.
Thanks for the question ds,
The overall length from the bottom of the side-mount post for 36″ handrail height to the top of a 1″ think railing would be 44″. We have an engineering drawing available in the specifications tab at the bottom of the product page, or you can go directly to it at https://www.stairsupplies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Side-Mount-Engineering-Report.pdf.
Best,
StairSupplies Customer Support