In construction and with reference to a shim used in construction- ” a thin tapered piece of some type of building material used to make something level or plumb.” Shims can be made from almost any building material. Most commonly, railing post shims will be tapered when used to remedy an irregularity. Solid shims are also suitable for use as a “standoff”. Most installers are familiar with this term and uses in various building applications. In this post we will review some of the best and most common scenarios for utilizing shims and standoffs for cable railings, glass railings and fences.
When is a Standoff Post Base Necessary?
Stand off post bases (mounts) are utilized for both surface mounted and fascia mounted railing applications. Some of the most common scenarios for this are referenced by the photos in this post. Avoiding a drip edge or some type of flooring (bullnose) or decking projection (lipped edge) is common (photo below). In this example it would be impossible to correctly position the railing posts without the use of a custom standoff. These are also very helpful when dealing with irregular mounting substrate.
One important consideration when using a standoff for a code compliant railing is the gap created by the lower cable or railing member and the deck surface. This distance must maintain the standard code gapping requirement. Most railing codes require any gaps to prevent a 4″ sphere from passing through the railing infill. The gap created on a bottom railing or cable is angled; the further out the post is pushed, the larger the gap will be. Designers and installers should be aware of this and also keep an eye on deck irregularities which can increase or decrease this gap as well. A hump will generally reduce the gap on a level rail, while a valley will increase the gap.
Where to Buy Standoff Post Bases and Railing Post Shims
A shim can be made of almost any material (wood, steel, plastic) for use as a minor adjusting tool. However more complex railing installations may require custom solutions like welded spacers and mounting plates. Occasionally shims and standoffs may be needed to achieve a professional result when setting railing posts. For example; an installer may use small washers to shim underneath a steel plate and then caulk around the plate to finish.
San Diego Cable Railings provides modular and custom options for post standoffs and shims to our customers in 50 states. We have furnished full welded steel and stainless steel, wood, hardwood, and composite standoffs with our railing kits. Additionally, we have a team of preferred cable and glass railing installers with decades of specialized experience in these applications. We have yet to encounter a standoff scenario or application where we could not fabricate an attractive and code compliant solution for our customers.
if you have questions or would like a quote for railing posts, hardware, or a complete railing package please visit the quote request page. Our team will generate an accurate quote for materials and installation within 1-2 business days.
