Update Your Staircase With Newel Posts
Give your home a refined look by changing the newel posts. These posts, located at the base and top of your staircase, are the supportive elements of the banister. Balusters run between the two newel posts to complete the staircase design.
Some staircase posts are made with high-quality oak, poplar or mahogany wood. You can find styles that come unfinished, allowing you to add stain or paint to coordinate the post with your handrail and balusters. You can also find finished panels with neutral finishes, such as white and woodgrain.
This building supply product is essential when constructing a new stairwell. However, you can update an existing staircase with new newel posts. For design inspiration, check out our how-to guide — Ideas to Update Your Staircase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are stair newels?
A: Stair newels are upright posts that support the staircase’s banister. They’re the thickest posts and are positioned underneath the handrail at the bottom and top of the staircase.
Q: Is a newel post necessary?
A: Yes. It’s a support pole that bears the weight of the handrail, so it’s a key structural element of the design. Newel posts need to be installed at the base and top of the staircase between balusters and at any spot where the staircase changes direction. Most staircases have two to four newel posts, though some require more.
Q: Can you replace a newel post?
A: Yes. It’s a fairly straightforward do-it-yourself project. You’ll need to unhook the existing newel post — often by drilling a pilot hole to remove the plug — and then install the new post. Be sure to check for any loose boards or balusters and secure them with nails or screws before you install the new post.
