Stair Newels and How They are Used
In this concise article I would like to illustrate thevarious kinds of newels and how they are used 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 positioned on the balcony; their number dependent upon the length of the balcony.
The railing in a post-to-post newel stair stystem ends at each newel. In this application, the newel is higher than the banister. The handrail, as such, is sectional. There is a “flat” near the crown of each post-to-post newel that “receives” the banister. Normally there is a turned portion above the ”flat” in the shape of an acorn or mushroom or ball. On occasion there is a finial at the top of the post-to-post newel.
On the other hand, over-the-post newels have the handrail fastened to the top of the newel. These newels are shorter than the banister so that the rail is allowed to lie 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 stairway configuration is a “continuous rail”: there are no disruptions in the handrail. It is indeed continuous. The over-the-post system 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 system 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, occasionally an innovative designer will combine both techniques. On such an occasion, the “over-the-post” newel would probably serve as the starter while the “post-to-post” newels would be utilized everywhere else.
Box newels have nothing to do with the stair arrangement but are simply a specific newel style. Box newels are “boxy” as opposed to “turned” newels (as described below). Box newels are more associated with the Craftsman style of the early part of the 20th century. Depending on your preference, box newels can be either “post to post” or “over the post”. They can also be accented with a variety of caps, flutes, paneling, and skirts. It’s not unusual to blend box newels and simple square balusters or ”pickets”. Iron balusters are a beautiful complement to box newels.
Turned Newels
Turned newels are “turned” on a lathe. Instead of the four-sided figure associated with the box newel, turned newels have a cylindrical profile. Turned newels come in a vast assortment of shapes and sizes and wood species. However, the base of the turned newel are regularly square as is the top of the post-to-post newel. The turned newel can be embellished with beads, coves, and other cylindrical forms. Besides these, other enhanments are achievable. 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 difficult decisions. It is my hope that this article will assist in your next stairway project.
Mail this post
Tags: architecture, home improvement, interior design, remodeling