System and method for constructing a railing

A kit for assembling a railing, comprising:

• a first vertical post;
• a second vertical post configured to be mounted a first distance from the first vertical post;
• a bottom rail, the bottom rail having a length corresponding to the first distance, wherein a first end of the bottom rail is adapted to be affixed to the first vertical post and a second end of the bottom rail is affixed to the second vertical post, the bottom rail including at least one bottom rail slot at a top surface of the bottom rail and at least one ledge within an internal cavity of the bottom rail;
• a top rail, the top rail having a length corresponding to the first distance, wherein a first end of the top rail is adapted to be affixed to the first vertical post and a second end of the top rail is affixed to the second vertical post, the top rail having an inner portion and an outer portion at least partially covering the inner portion, the inner portion including at least one top rail slot;
• and
• at least one picket, the at least one picket having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion of the at least one picket adapted to be inserted into the at least one top rail slot in the inner portion of the top rail, wherein during the inserting the top portion of the at least one picket extends beyond a top surface of the inner portion and into an internal chamber between the inner portion and the outer portion, and wherein the bottom portion of the at least one picket is adapted to be inserted into the at least one bottom rail slot, and wherein after the inserting of the bottom portion of the first picket, the top portion of the first picket slides down, partially out of the internal chamber between the inner portion and the outer portion of the top rail.

A tool for locking a locking strip within a rail, the tool comprising:

• a hook portion;
• a grip portion;
• and
• an extension portion between the hook portion and the grip portion;
• wherein the hook portion extends a first predetermined distance in a first direction, the first predetermined distance corresponding to a distance between an underside surface of the rail and location of a support shelf for a locking strip within a cavity of the rail, the hook portion comprising an engaging surface on a side proximal to the extension portion, the engaging surface including a notch sized and shaped to receive the locking strip;
• and
• wherein the extension portion extends a second predetermined distance in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and terminates at the grip portion, the second predetermined distance corresponding to a distance between an engaging interface of the locking strip when the locking strip is in a locked position and a position of a picket adjacent the engaging interface when the locking strip is in a locked position, such that the grip portion abuts the adjacent picket when the locking strip is in the locked position.