Fortress

Fortress railing is for homeowners and builders finishing deck edges and stairs, with traditional steel panels and vertical cable options. V-Series cable panels come preassembled, which simplifies the panel work on the job. Start with the infill you want, then match the panels, posts and stair connections to your layout.

Fortress Building Products is based in Texas. Its railing families include steel and aluminum systems. The company also makes steel and aluminum fencing, steel deck framing and pergolas.

Choose the infill and check the posts

Fe26 includes traditional steel railing and V-Series cable infill. Traditional railing gives you the familiar picket pattern; V-Series gives you vertical cables in a preassembled panel. V-Series uses 316 marine-grade stainless steel cable and components, with a steel coating system that includes zinc galvanizing, pretreatment, E-Coat and powder coat to resist rust and corrosion.

Existing posts can stay in the plan: V-Series explicitly works with wood, composite, vinyl and Fortress steel posts. Check their condition and attachment before keeping them, because the railing connection needs sound support.

Pure View offers a drop-in glass solution with full-panel and glass-baluster options compatible with wood, composite, vinyl and Fortress metal posts, with glass balusters specified for stairs in a full-glass-panel system.

Lay out the connections before setting posts

Use actual panel lengths and the required bracket clearances when laying out openings. Treating the nominal size as the finished opening is the mistake to avoid. The V-Series dimensions below give you the panel lengths to work from.

Fe26 offers posts with preattached brackets, along with straight, inside-corner and outside-corner bracket options. Mark every end, corner and stair connection on the drawing before counting posts.

Stair hardware belongs on a separate part of the takeoff. The specified V-Series connection uses a Universal Bracket and Angle Adapter together. Keep that pair together when counting the hardware.

Plan the top rail and gate

Fe26 cap rail clips attach a wood or composite board to the panel’s top rail for a drink rail. V-Series also has cable cap rail clips, with its own recommended spacing. Match the board and clip arrangement to the railing line using the dimensions below.

Fe26 gates fit a standard opening, while V-Series gate panels accommodate openings up to the stated maximum. Put the gate opening on the drawing before laying out the adjoining railing runs.

Finish the cuts and keep the coating clean

Protecting field cuts is part of the installation. File burrs off every cut end and completely cover it with at least two coats of Fortress Touch-up paint. Damage exposing the base material needs at least three coats. Remove steel shavings and chips from inside the parts and from the jobsite so the debris can’t stain surrounding surfaces.

Fortress recommends quarterly cleaning with warm water, nonabrasive, pH-neutral detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, followed by a thorough rinse. Remove concrete, plaster and paint splashes immediately, before they dry.

For warranty coverage, register within 30 days of receiving the products and keep maintenance records. Fortress requires maintenance and its documentation. Keep proof of purchase with those records.

Railing dimensions and hardware

Component	Specification
V-Series nominal 6-foot panel	69.5-inch actual length
V-Series nominal 8-foot panel	93.5-inch actual length
V-Series nominal 6-foot vertical cable panels	34- and 40-inch heights
V-Series cable spacing	3.25 inches on center
Fe26 posts with preattached brackets	2- and 3-inch posts with 1-inch UB-04 brackets
Fe26 posts with base plates and included base covers	39.5-, 45.5- and 55-inch sizes
Fe26 Axis stair panels	Require SSB-04 brackets
Specified V-Series bracket assembly	UB-05 Universal Bracket used with Universal Bracket Angle Adapter
Specified Fe26 drink-rail configuration	At least five cap rail clips; board at least 0.75 inches thick and no more than 5.5 inches wide
V-Series cap rail clips	Recommended spacing of 28 inches
Fe26 gate	Fits a standard 36-inch opening
V-Series gate panel	Accommodates openings up to 36 inches; uses Gate Kit #2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fortress railing made of?

Fortress railing comes in steel and aluminum systems, depending on the family you choose. Its vertical cable panels use 316 marine-grade stainless steel cable and components, while the steel framework has zinc galvanizing, pretreatment, E-Coat and powder coat to resist rust and corrosion.

Can you cut Fortress railing panels to fit?

Fortress offers replacement cable parts with swaged fittings for vertical cable panels cut shorter, plus replacement rail supports for cut panels that need additional support. Every cut end needs the burrs filed off and complete coverage with at least two coats of the manufacturer’s touch-up paint. Cutting the panel is only part of the job; restoring protection at the cut is part of finishing it.

Does Fortress railing need maintenance?

Yes. Fortress recommends quarterly cleaning with warm water, a nonabrasive, pH-neutral detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, followed by a thorough rinse. Abrasive cleaners and cutting compounds aren’t suitable, and strong solvents can damage the finish. Keep a cleaning record, because required maintenance and documentation are conditions of warranty coverage.

What does the Fortress railing warranty cover?

The Fortress railing warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser, including qualifying finish failures and extensive corrosion caused by a defect. It isn’t transferable, and it excludes removal and replacement installation labor. Registration is required within 30 days of receiving the products, and a claim must be completed within 30 days of discovering a covered defect.