Copper Piling Cap Installation

Step 1.  Measure the diameter of the piling cap and select the appropriate copper cap size from the Copper Piling Cap Sizing Table on the Product List and Ordering page.

Step 2.  Place the copper cap flat on top of the piling and center it (Figure 1).

Step 3.  Fold down one tab of the copper cap.  Make sure the tab is completely folded down and lays flat along the piling side.

Step 4.  Work your way around the piling, folding down each successive tab such that the tabs overlay each other.  Make sure that the pre-drilled nail hole is on the outside of the tab which it is overlaying (Figure 2).  As you fold each tab, press very firmly to get the tabs to lay tight against each other.  (I like to use a rubber mallet to tap the tabs down as I work my way around the piling)  DO NOT NAIL any of the tabs into the piling until you have completed folding all of the tabs down.  When you get to the last tab you will need to raise up the first tab to slide the last one underneath it.  Make sure all of the nails holes are on the outside!

Step 5. Once all of the tabs are folded and you have a loose fitting cap (Figure 3) resting on top of the piling, nail the first tab into the piling driving the nail thru the underling tab.  Press down firmly on the next tab and nail it into the piling such that it overlaps the next tab. Continue nailing each successive tab until all of the tabs are securely nailed (Figure 4).  Run your hand over the top of the piling cap to check for any sharp points.  If any are present, tap them down with your hammer.

Helpful Tips:  As you work your way around the piling, lightly tap each tab down at the top corner where it overlaps the preceding tab.  You want a very tight fit at the overlapping point of each tab and the tabs laying down tight against the side of the piling before you begin nailing.  This will ensure a very clean fit and great looking cap. (Please run video to see a demonstration of a copper piling cap installation)

If your measured piling diameter is in between the standard cap diameters (i.e. measured diameter is ~6.5", 7.5", 8.5", 9.5", 10.5", 11.5', 12.5", ) or at the lower end of the range for a particular top, you can create a better fitting cap by extending all the Radial Cuts by ~1/4" using a pair of tin snips. 

​(Radial Cuts are the cuts which extend from the outside of the copper plate towards the center, see Figure 1 above and copper cap resizing video) 

By extending all the Radial Cuts ~1/4" you effectively create a cap with a measurement 1/2" smaller than the cap size.  It is simple to do, takes only a few seconds per cap and will ensure a great fitting cap when your piling size is in between the standard product sizes.

Figure 4

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 1

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