In this short article I would like to illustrate thekinds of newels and their use in a staircase. Of course, newels are the main supporting columns in a stairway. They are normally placed at the bottom of the stairs (the “starter”), at the top of the staircase , and at each stairway turn. Others are located on the balcony; their quantity dependent upon the length of the balcony.

Post-to-Post Newels

The handrail in a post-to-post newel stair arrangement ends at each newel. In this function, the newel is taller than the railing. The railing, as such, is sectional. There is a “flat” near the top of each post-to-post newel that “receives” the handrail. Normally there is a turned section above the ”flat” in the shape of an acorn or mushroom or ball. Occasionally there is a finial at the crown of the post-to-post newel.

Over-the-Post Newels

On the other hand, over-the-post newels have the banister resting on top of the newel. These newels are shorter than the railing so that the rail is allowed to sit in place on the tops of each newel. There are dowels at the top of each newel to fasten the railing and rail fittings together. Another term for this staircase stystem is a “continuous rail”: there are no interuptions in the banister. It is indeed continuous. The over-the-post configuation allows you to rest your hand continuously on the rail as you walk up and down the staircase or along the balcony. In my opinion, this staircase proves more stylish even though it poses a greater challenge to set up.

All stairways consist of either “post-to-post” or “over-the-post” newels, though, on occasion an imaginative designer will employ both techniques. In such a case, the “over-the-post” newel would probably function as the starter while the “post-to-post” newels would be used elsewhere.

Box Newels

Box newels have nothing to do with the stair arrangement but are simply a particular newel style. Box newels are “boxy” as opposed to “turned” newels (as described below). Box newels are more akin to the Craftsman look of the early part of the 20th century. Depending on your taste, box newels can be either “post to post” or “over the post”. They can also be adorned with an assortment of caps, flutes, paneling, and skirts. It’s not uncommon to combine box newels and basic square balusters or ”pickets”. Wrought Iron balusters harmonize superbly with box newels.

Turned Newels

Turned newels are “turned” on a lathe. Instead of the square corners associated with the box newel, turned newels have a cylindrical profile. Turned newels come in a broad range of shapes and sizes and wood species. However, the bottom of the turned newel are frequently square as is the top of the post-to-post newel. The turned newel can be accented with beads, coves, and other cylindrical forms. Additional enhanments are attainable. For example, rope twists and barley spirals and fluting can b e added to the cylindrical profile associated with turned work.

When building a new home or remodeling, stairways can present numerous complex decisions. It is my wish that this article will assist in your next stairway project.

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