The object of the invention is a rail structure and a balcony, which comprise two or more rail sections (5, 6) at an angle with respect to each other, at least some of which rail sections (5, 6) comprise a top profile (5a, 6a) a bottom profile (5b, 6b) and a wall section (7) connecting them, which wall section is fastened at its bottom edge to the bottom profile (5b, 6b) and at its top edge to the top profile (5a, 6a). At least some of the rail sections (5, 6) are arranged to transmit a load exerted on themselves to the bottom profile of the rail section next to themselves via the wall section (7) of the rail section next to themselves.

A panel assembly includes two frame members and a plurality of panels extending between the frame members. Each panel has fastening elements at either end. The fastening elements are arranged to clip onto mating portions of the frame members, and are also arranged to frictionally engage internal surfaces of the panels to thereby hold the panels relative to the frame members.

A rackable railing assembly including a rail having a hollow interior. A series of picket slots are disposed in the rail. A tab strip is carried in the rail. A series of tab slots are laterally spaced along the tab strip. A tab is secured at one end of each of the tab slots and extends partially across the tab slots so that the tabs are bendable in the tab slots. A series of pickets are included having a distal end portion extending through the picket slots in the rail and having an end surface secured against one of the tabs. The pickets pivot in the picket slots causing the tabs to bend relative to the plain of the tab strip to allow the pickets and rail to rack to an angle.

A multi-directional railing support includes a fastener having a first threaded end that attaches to a substrate and a second threaded end. A securing portion is attached to the second threaded end and includes outwardly extending resilient flanges. The securing portion and the second threaded end define a receiving stud. The securing portion is axially adjustable relative to the second threaded end to adjust a clearance space between the securing portion and the substrate. A baluster includes a hollow end that extends over the outwardly extending resilient flanges of the receiving stud. The outwardly extending resilient flanges cooperate with the hollow end to provide for movement of the baluster toward the substrate and contemporaneously prevent movement of the baluster away from the substrate. The outwardly extending resilient flanges bias the baluster toward a rotational axis of the fastener.

A baluster connector having a base and retaining member can be used to mount a baluster to a rail installed on both a horizontal and a sloped surface. The base can rotate relative to the retaining member to a first position to mount the baluster to a horizontal rail and to a second position to mount the baluster to an angled rail.

A picket for a railing system comprises an elongated body with one or more walls and first and second ends. The first and second ends engage the top and bottom rails, respectively, of the railing system. The picket also comprises one or more cutouts formed along one or more of the walls. Each of the cutouts engages one of the plurality of spacers. The cutouts are proximal to the first and second ends of the pickets.

Provided in this disclosure is a selectively replaceable spindle for a banister. The spindle includes a generally longitudinal body having first and second ends for respectively engaging recesses on opposing surfaces of a handrail and a lower rail of a banister. A securement mechanism is attached to either of the first or second ends of the body, for releasably securing the respective end to the respective recess. The securement mechanism includes a spring-biased clip extending from the respective end of the body that is urged into contact with the respective recess. A lever is attached to the spring-biased clip for compressing an internal spring and enabling retraction of the spring-biased clip from the respective recess. The lever thus releases the secured one of the first or second ends of the generally longitudinal body from the respective one of the first or second recesses, thereby permitting removal of the spindle.

A guard rail system that is assembled from a kit of components that includes bottom rails, top rails and balusters and U-shaped top rail inserts that fit into the underside of the top rails. The tops of the balusters are inserted through the spaced apart holes in the base of the insert. The top rail has a body and a pair of spaced apart legs extending downward from the body. After the system has been assembled the legs engage the uprights of the top rail insert to create a compression fit between the top rail insert and the tops of the balusters.

Provided in this disclosure is a selectively replaceable spindle for a banister. A generally longitudinal spindle body has a first end for engaging a first attachment portion on a surface of a handrail of a banister, and a second end for engaging a second attachment portion on an opposite surface from the handrail. A securement member is releasably secured with one or both of the first and second ends of the generally longitudinal spindle body. The securement member is urged into one of the first or second attachment portions to retain the spindle therein. One or more pins extend transversely from a side surface of the securement member, for engaging a cooperative structure on the spindle body to retain the securement member in a locked position.

A two-piece baluster shoe and method for installation thereof on a baluster are provided. The baluster shoe is configured to engage with a baluster adjacent the connection of a baluster to a rail without the use of a discrete mechanical fastener, such as a set screw. The baluster shoe features an integrated resilient spring tongue that engages with the baluster, thereby securing the baluster shoe in place relative to the baluster and forcing the baluster shoe against the adjacent rail. The baluster shoe is formed in two shoe portions that snap together or otherwise are engaged with connector elements when positioned at the desired location adjacent a joint of the baluster with the rail, which can occur after the baluster is engaged with the rail.