Thick handrail and baluster stock was laminated from 5/4 red cedar. The boards were glued (left) and screwed together (right).
After the glue had set overnight, the built-up stock was ripped to width.
The stock was thickness-planed.
Preprimed wood balusters were fastened to PVC spacers to create assemblies that fit between the top and bottom rails.
The PVC pedestal caps were profiled to match the rails.
The rails were pocket-screwed to the pedestals.
A carbide blade in a circular saw was used to trim the bottom ends of the columns to length.
The tops were trickier: In order to exactly match the original columns, the author had to add a few inches to the top. He did this by inserting a PVC plug — which he screwed in place inside the column, flush with the top.
PVC extension pieces are screwed to the plug.
Metal framing anchors screwed to the column provide a strong connection to the pedestal.
The tops are secured with screws angled into the roof girder.
The finished colonnade.