subject: Deck Post Caps - Securing Them Once And For All [print this page] Whether you hired a contractor more concerned with getting the job done than doing it right or you rushed through a DIY project without learning everything you could have learned about carpentry, you could be stuck with deck post caps that won't stay on. It's an unbelievably common problem, due as often to cheap manufacturers as it is to shoddy workmanship on the decking end of the equation. No matter who is to blame for the problem, however, it falls to you to fix it. Here's how you can make sure that they stay where they're supposed to, once and for all.
Vinyl
Before you begin fixing the problem, you'll need to determine what kind of deck post caps you have. Each material will require a slightly different solution. If you have vinyl, you will get your best results from using glue to hold them in place. Not Elmer's, but a special PVC glue that will hold not only the material itself, but will also stand up to the elements. Some homeowners have also had success with other glues intended for plastic binding. This glue should be applied with a brush, covering as much of the inside as possible while carefully avoiding the outside surface. Put it in place and give it time to dry. It shouldn't give you any more trouble.
Composite and Wood
Many homeowners choose wood as their default option when picking out deck post caps. Those who don't often opt for composite materials, which give you the appearance of wood while being more environmentally friendly and giving the owner fewer maintenance concerns. If you are using these materials, you'll have various options for fixing them in place depending on the style. For those that slip on top of the post, you'll probably have your greatest success with wood glue. Wood glue is amazingly strong and will do the trick nicely. If they affix in another way, you might want to use screws or nails to hold them in place.
Aluminum
If you have aluminum deck post caps, glue probably isn't going to be an option. No amount of etching is going to let it stick. There are special screws you can use with aluminum products and if you use them for your covers, you'll probably be able to keep them tightly in place. That said, not all aluminum deck post caps will require screws. You can purchase a special kind that is self-locking. Knock it down with a mallet and it won't come loose.
