Staircase Newels and How They are Used
In this concise article I would like to illustrate thevarious types 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 stairway , and at each turn. Others are situated on the balcony; their quantity depending on the length of the balcony.
The railing in a post-to-post newel stair arrangement terminates at each newel. In this application, the newel is higher than the banister. The banister, as such, is sectional. There is a “flat” near the top of each post-to-post newel that “receives” the banister. Usually there is a turned section 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 railing so that the rail is allowed to sit in place on the tops of each newel. There are pins at the top of each newel to secure the railing and rail fittings together. Another term for this configuration is a “continuous rail”: there are no interuptions 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 stairway proves more stylish even though it poses a greater challenge to set up.
All staircases are composed of either “post-to-post” or “over-the-post” newels, though, sometimes an innovative designer will utilize both techniques. On such an occasion, the “over-the-post” newel would most likely 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 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 accented with an assortment of caps, flutes, paneling, and skirts. It’s not uncommon to blend box newels and simple square balusters or ”pickets”. Wrought Iron balusters harmonize superbly with box newels.
Turned Newels
Turned newels are “turned” on a lathe. In contrast to the four-sided figure associated with the box newel, turned newels have a cylindrical profile. Turned newels come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and wood species. However, the bottom of the turned newel are more often than not square as is the top of the post-to-post newel. The turned newel can be adorned 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, staircases can present many difficult decisions. It is my wish that this article will assist in your next stairway project.
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Tags: architecture, home improvement, interior design, remodeling