Half newel posts add an attractive and sturdy finish where a landing balustrade meets a wall. Although you can buy a newel post and slice it in half yourself, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to buy a pre-cut half newel post. The huge range of designs and materials available means that you’ll be able to find one that suits your balustrade.
You can choose from complete half newel posts or mix and match your design with bases, pegged half newel posts and half newel post caps.
If you’re replacing your landing balustrade, find out how many spindles you need with our handy spindle spacing calculator.
Read on for a more detailed description of the purpose of half newel posts, what they’re made of, the different styles available and how you can fit them.
What is the purpose of a half newel post?
Although you can buy a newel post and slice it in half yourself, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to buy a pre-cut half newel post. The huge range of designs and materials available means that you’ll be able to find one that suits your balustrade and the rest of your home.
You can choose from complete half newel posts or mix and match your design with bases, pegged half newel posts and half newel post caps.
If you’re replacing your landing balustrade, find out how many spindles you need with our handy spindle spacing calculator.
How do I attach a half newel post to a solid wall?
You’ll need to use adhesives and screws to attach a half newel to the wall. This is because half newel posts perform the crucial job of securing the balustrade to the wall—they aren’t just for decorative purposes.
How do I remove a half newel post?
To remove a half newel post you would need to unscrew it from the wall and carefully prise away from the wall with the claw side of a hammer if it was also stuck on with adhesive.
What is a half newel post used for?
A half newel post is used to finish off your staircase where it meets the wall. It is mainly decorative as you can just fix a handrail to the wall, but can also add a sturdier finish to your landing and make your staircase look complete.
What is a half newel post cap?
A half newel post cap is exactly that—a newel cap that’s been cut in half so it can fit on top of a half newel post.
As with regular newel caps, half-size newel caps come in a range of designs so you can match with the newel caps on your full-size newel posts. Popular styles include acorn, pyramid and ball half newel caps. If you want a more modern look, we recommend opting for a contemporary flat newel cap.
What materials are available for half newel posts?
Like regular newel posts, half newel posts are usually made of wood, with oak, pine and hemlock among the most popular choices. As with other stair parts, pine half newels tend to be more affordable than oak ones.
Below we cover some of the most popular half newel post materials in more detail:
What alternatives are there to half newel posts?
If there isn’t enough space against the wall to fit a half newel post, you can simply run the handrail directly into the wall. If you are using spindles you can either fit a full spindle or slice a spindle in half lengthways, to sit against the wall.
To learn more why not read our guide: Your complete guide to stair newel posts.
Oak half newel posts
Oak half newel posts look stunning in both traditional and contemporary homes. Because oak is a hardwood, it’s extremely durable and resistant to scratches and dents, making it a perfect choice for busy family homes. It features a beautiful tiger-stripe grain that is guaranteed to create a warm and welcoming entryway.
If you’re set on an oak half newel post, check out this Oak Fluted Half Newel Post, one of our most popular options for a traditional home.
Pine half newel posts
Opt for a pine rather than oak half newel post is a great choice if you're on a tight budget. You still get the beautiful appearance of solid wood but at a much lower price. Pine is also an incredibly sustainable choice as it’s one of the fastest-growing trees. It’s also easy to stain, varnish or paint, so you can get the exact look you want from your finished staircase.
However, pine is a softwood which means it’s more susceptible to wear and tear. This means it’s not the most durable choice and it might need to be replaced sooner than an oak half newel post.
If you’ve decided that a pine half newel post is the right fit for your home, have a look at this Pine Stop Chamfered Half Newel Post.
Hemlock half newel posts
Although hemlock is a softwood, it’s actually stronger and more durable than many hardwoods. It has a stunning even and knotless grain that’s guaranteed to look gorgeous in any entryway. Hemlock half newel posts are usually more expensive than pine, but less expensive than oak.
If you’d like a stunning and strong half newel post, Hemlock is a first-class choice. View our Hemlock Stop Chamfered Half Newel Post here.
Metal and wood half newel caps
If you want to incorporate metal elements into your half newel post, metal and wood half newel caps are available. Have a look at the Axxys Solo Oak / Chrome Half Cap or the Solution Pine & Brushed Nickel Half cap.
What are the different styles of half newel posts?
Half newel posts are available in a huge range of styles to match any interior design style. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular half newel post styles:
Fluted half newel posts
A fluted half newel post features long grooves which create a beautiful and symmetrical design. This technique is known as fluting and the grooves are often referred to as ribs or ridges.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated and elegant addition to your staircase, fluted half newel post is the perfect choice. Have a look at this stunning Richard Burbidge Classic Oak Fluted Half Newel Post for some design inspiration.
Box half newel posts
A box half newel post is a more ornate alternative to a simpler square half newel post. Box half newel posts look stunning in both modern and more contemporary homes where you want to add a little bit of extra character.
Have a look at this elegant Oak Box Half Newel Post. This is a complete piece of timber and includes the half newel base, newel post and cap.
Square half newel posts
A square half newel post is one of the most affordable options. Although the design is simplistic, a square half newel post is the perfect choice if you’re trying to renovate your home on a strict budget. Plus, the minimal, streamline appearance of a square half newel post means it can work with a huge range of staircase designs and interior styles.
If you’re trying to renovate your stairway as cheaply as possible, consider this Pine Square Half Newel Post.
Twisted square half newel post
Our Twisted Square range is perfect if you love the simplicity of a square half newel post but you want a bit of added character. Our twisted square half newel posts feature a sophisticated half or an impressive double twist. These newel posts are a great modern alternative to the more traditional barley twist style.
Have a look at this Oak Square Twist Half Newel Post, which is also available in white primed.
Stop chamfered half newel posts
Stop chamfered half newel posts are another variation of the square design. They are square posts with bevels on each corner to soften the line of the wood creating a subtle yet sophisticated appearance. The bevels (or chamfer) makes the half newel posts stronger, so they hold up better to everyday wear and tear.
The ‘stop’ in this style’s name refers to the fact that the chamfer doesn’t reach the entire length of the post. Typically stop chamfered newels only have the bevels in the middle of the post.
If you have the budget, we recommend our Oak Stop Chamfered Half Newel Post. These half newel posts look stunning once they are waxed or varnished, whatever the style of your home.
Barley twist half newel posts
A barley twist is a traditional newel post style featuring a single or double twist which is usually in the centre of the post. Although this is a traditional woodturning feature, barley twist newel posts can work in both traditional and more modern homes with the correct finish and choice of spindles and handrail.
At Jackson Woodturners, we stock a huge range of barley twist half newel posts, including this ornate Oak Barley Twist Half Newel Post.
Turned half newel posts
Turned half newel posts feature a round design and are made by turning the wood on a lathe. They often include intricate details and a combination of rounded and squared sections.
If you’re after a traditional half newel post, a turned design, such as this Pine Plain Turned Half Newel Post, will work beautifully.
Half newel posts by Jackson Woodturners
At Jackson Woodturners, we offer the largest selection of contemporary and traditional stair parts in the UK, including half newel posts, newel posts and newel post caps. Whether you’re looking for contemporary twisted square half newel posts or traditional fluted ones, our staircase experts will happily recommend the best style and material for your home.
View our full range of half newel posts and other staircase parts on our website. Or contact the team if you have any questions about half newel posts or any other stair parts. You can call our friendly staircase experts on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected]
