Newel posts stand as a natural focal point for your balustrade. There are various styles and materials for newel posts, but pine is a great option for anyone on a budget. Though not quite as strong as oak, pine offers great durability without being overly expensive. So, what are the different options available for pine newel posts?
Pine newel posts are available as continuous, complete, pegged or half newel posts, depending on your requirements. They are also available in a wide range of styles, including square, turned, fluted, barley twist and stop chamfered. The right pine newel post for your renovation will depend on the design of your staircase and your style preferences.
Keep reading to learn more about the different options for pine newel posts so you can make the right choice and ensure your balustrade looks its best.
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- What are the different types of pine newel posts?
Learn about the four different types of pine newel posts and when you would use each one. - What are the different styles of pine newel posts?
Find out about the different style options when it comes to pine newel posts. - What is the most cost-effective pine newel post design?
Find out what your most cost-effective design option is. - What size pine newel post do I need?
Read how to determine what newel post size you need and the difference between continuous, pegged, complete and half newel posts. - Choosing a pine newel post cap
Find out your options for pine newel post caps. - What products are ideal for treating pine newel posts?
Read our product recommendations for keeping pine newel posts in good condition. - What other options of wood are available?
Read the other woods you can choose from when buying newel posts. - Pine Newel Post FAQs
We answer frequently asked questions about pine newel posts.
What are the different types of pine newel posts?
When it comes to choosing the right type of pine newel post for your staircase renovation, you will need to consider whether you need a continuous, complete, pegged or half newel post.
Continuous newel posts
These newel posts are used to create a handrail fitting that flows continuously along the top of the newel posts. Instead of incorporating a head at the top of the newel, there will be a round peg that slots into a hole in the corresponding handrail.
View our range of continuous oak newel posts.
Pegged newel posts
A pegged newel post is a good option if the existing newel base cannot be easily removed, but you want to update the look. It is the more decorative part of the post, which fits into the newel base to make up the main, visible part of the unit.
View our range of pegged oak newel posts.
Half newel post
Installed on landings where the edge of the balustrade meets a wall, half newel posts are ideal for finishing off the balustrade. They add strength to the installation, sitting flush against the wall they are mounted onto. When updating the newels on a staircase, it is usually easiest to change the half newel completely.
View our range of half newel posts.
You can shop our full range of pine newel posts here.
What are the different styles of pine newel posts?
Pine newel posts are available in a wide range of styles to suit various interior design styles including:
- Square
- Turned
- Barley twist
- Stop chamfered
- Fluted
- Volute
- Provincial
We go over these different pine newel post styles.
Square newel posts
Square newel posts have a boxy appearance and a unique square shape, instead of the more common rounded design. They are ideal for both modern and traditional homes.
Recommended product: Pine Square Newel Post
- Newel Post Size: 1500mm x 70mm x 70mm
- The Pine square newel post is part of the Pine range of modern and traditional stair parts
- The Pine 70mm complete newel, is a complete 2 part laminated piece of timber incorporating the newel base and newel post to form one full length newel post.
- A 70mm newel cap such as a pyramid or flat cap is required for the top of this newel post.
Turned newel posts
Turned newel posts have a smooth, rounded design with highly decorative elements, making them ideal for more traditional homes. They are typically made from solid wood and have been ‘turned’ on a lathe to create the desired shape.
Recommended Product: Pine Plain Turned Newel Post 82mm
- Newel Post Size: 730mm x 82mm x 82mm
- The Pine plain newel post is part of the Pine range of modern and traditional stair parts
- The 82mm newel post has a 50mm diameter peg, which will fit into an 82mm newel base. An 82mm newel cap is required for the top of the newel post
Barley twist newel posts
A barley twist newel post has a classical turned design which resembles a twisted stick of barely sugar. These newel posts fit particularly well in more traditional homes.
Recommended product: Pine Barley Twist Newel Post 90mm
- Newel Post Size: 730mm x 90mm x 90mm
- The 90mm barley twist newel post has a 50mm diameter peg, which will fit into a 90mm newel base
Stop chamfered newel posts
A stop chamfered newel post has a chamfer (bevelled edge) which only extends partway down the post, creating a decorative and attractive ‘stop’. This adds a subtle but visually appealing design element that looks stunning in contemporary and more traditional homes.
Recommended product: Pine 70mm Stop Chamfered Newel Post
- Newel Post Size: 1500mm x 70mm x 70mm
- 70mm complete newel posts are perfect for small tight spaces, such as a small landing or loft conversion
- Pine stair parts come unfinished. They can be finished by painting, varnishing or waxing
Fluted newel posts
A fluted newel post has long, carved grooves that run down the entire length of the post, creating a decorative ‘fluted’ appearance. This creates a more elegant look, than a plain square newel post and means fluted newel posts look especially gorgeous in ornate traditional homes.
Recommended product: Pine fluted newel post 90mm
- Newel Post Size: 730mm x 90mm x 90mm
- The 90mm fluted newel post has a 50mm diameter peg, which will fit into a 90mm newel base. A 90mm newel cap is required for the top of the newel post
- A single head newel post is a bottom and/or top newel
Volute newel posts
A volute newel post is designed to sit underneath a decorative ‘volute’ which is a spiral or scroll-like curve. This creates a graceful transition and gives the appearance of a continuous handrail.
Recommended product: Pine Plain Volute Newel Post
- A volute newel sits onto a bullnose or curtail step at the bottom of a flight of stairs. The volute handrail fitting sits on top of the volute newel post to create a continuous handrail.
- The length of the newel post is a fixed length. This measurement does not include the peg.
- Volute Newel Length: 1335mm
Provincial newel posts
Provincial newel posts feature a simple design, usually with a square or slightly rounded profile as opposed to highly ornate newel posts. This newel post style is ideal for more traditional homes.
Recommended product: Pine Provincial Newel Post (Square Design)
- Provincial is a square turned design
- The Pine provincial newel post has a 50mm diameter peg, which will fit into a 90mm newel base. A 90mm newel cap is required for the top of the newel post
- A single head newel post is a bottom and/or top newel
- Newel Post Size: 1500mm x 70mm x 70mm
Are you looking to find out more about the different newel post styles? Visit our newel post styles advice page for more information.
What is the most cost-effective pine newel post design?
If you are looking for a complete newel post, the cheapest option is the Pine Square Newel Post. It is a simple yet classic-looking part and a great choice if you are on a budget. Please note that these newel posts are supplied unfinished; you can finish them by painting, varnishing or waxing.
- Newel Post Size: 1500mm x 70mm x 70mm
- A complete 2 part laminated piece of timber incorporating the newel base and newel post to form one full-length newel post
- Perfect for small tight spaces, such as a small landing or loft conversion
What size pine newel post do I need?
Our pine newel posts come in 70mm, 82mm, 90mm and 120mm. You need to determine which of these sizes is right for your balustrade.
The key is to measure your staircase accurately. The newel post height required will depend on the height of the handrail of your balustrade.
With typical floor-level designs, the minimum height is 36 inches or 900mm. As a general rule, the handrail should terminate close to the top of your newel post.
You can shop our full range of pine newel posts here.
Choosing a pine newel post cap
We have a wide range of pine newel post caps you can choose from. With so many options available, you can mix and match styles to give your staircase the right look.
The options include:
At Jackson Woodturners, we offer newel caps in oak, white primed, hemlock, dark hardwood and ash. We also offer wooden options combined with either chrome or brushed nickel elements. Generally speaking, flat caps are best for square pine newel posts, while acorn and ball caps are a better option for turned pine newel posts.
Ultimately, style choices are yours to make, and if you get it right, you will give your staircase the perfect look for your home. In terms of size, you need to ensure the newel cap size corresponds with the size of your post. For example, this fluted pine newel post will require a 90mm pine newel cap.
What products are ideal for treating pine newel posts?
If you find any small imperfections in your pine newel post, you can use specialist pine wood filler from our range of staircase finishings. It is fast-drying and ready-mixed and can be stained, painted or varnished once dry.
We also supply a range of Treatex Hardwax Oils that can be used to give your pine newels a variety of high-quality finishes. These treatments protect and enhance the natural beauty of the wood and are user-friendly and extremely hard-wearing.
If preferred, you could find some suitable wood paint in the colour of your choosing to go a different way. The choice is yours, but it is strongly advised to treat your pine newel posts to maximise their lifespan.
What other options of wood are available?
We offer the following types of wood as alternatives to pine:
Hemlock
This non-resinous North African softwood is knot-free with a straight grain. It is easy to stain and will rarely split or break. It is ideal if you wish to paint.
View our full range of hemlock stair parts.
Oak
A strong hardwood grown in the eastern USA, oak is a straight-grained, medium-coarse hardwood. It is extremely strong, looks elegant and stains and polishes well. Oak tends to be more expensive than other options of woods.
View our full range of oak stair parts.
Dark hardwood
African timber with a medium-dark, reddish-brown hue, this hardwood has a similar look to mahogany. The close texture makes it perfect for varnishing and polishing.
View our full range of dark hardwood stair parts.
Ash
This American straight-grained hardwood has a pale brown colour with occasional red tinges. It stains and polishes very well for a quality finish.
View our full range of ash stair parts.
Walnut
Prized for its dark colour, this strong and heavy timber is a true heartwood. It can be easily split and worked and is famed as the choice for furniture and flooring throughout history.
View our full range of walnut stair parts.
White primed
The base wood is either birch or poplar, meaning it is knot-free and very pale - perfect for white priming. The white colouring is sprayed on to a high standard and can be finished as you choose or left plain.
View our full range of white primed stair parts.
Pine newel posts by Jackson Woodturners
At Jackson Woodturners, we offer the largest selection of contemporary and traditional stair parts in the UK, including high-quality pine stair parts. We offer pine newel posts, half newel posts and newel post caps.
Whether you’re looking for contemporary pine square newel posts or a more traditional barley twist pine newel post, we can help. If you’re unsure which style of pine newel post would look best in your home, our staircase experts will be happy to make some recommendations.
View our full range of pine newel posts and other pine staircase parts on our website.
Or contact the team if you have any questions about pine newel posts or any other stair parts. You can call our staircase experts on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected]
Pine newel posts FAQs
Should I use pine or oak stair parts?
This choice depends largely on your budget. Oak is generally stronger, more durable and more luxurious in appearance, with fewer maintenance requirements, but it is more expensive. Pine is more cost-effective and, as the source trees grow quickly, it is more environmentally friendly.
What fixings and accessories will I need for newel posts?
Installing newel posts correctly is not a straightforward process, so it is recommended to read a guide before you get started. We have advice on installing newel posts available on our website.
Whether it's a wall Patrice, cover button, handrail fixing kit, or any other stair part, you can find fixings and accessories here.
How many newel posts do you need?
There must be a newel post at every point where your stairway changes direction, so the number of newel posts you will need depends on your stairway design. For a standard staircase, you’ll need two newel posts, one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom. If you have additional landings or turns, you’ll require more newel posts.
Why is pine cheaper than oak?
Trees that produce softwood, like pine, grow more quickly and easily than those that produce hardwood, like oak. Therefore, the timber is more abundant, and the cost is lower.
Is pine ok for stair treads?
Yes, it is - just bear in mind that it is more likely than a hardwood to get dented or scratched. If you’re looking for a more durable option for stair treads, we recommend our range of oak stair treads.
How can you fix a wobbly newel post?
We recommend calling a joiner to fix this issue for you. If you are confident in attempting this yourself, we have a comprehensive guide on how to fix a wobbly newel post which we would recommend checking out.
When would I use a double-block newel post?
A double-block newel post has two square heads and is used where a staircase has a quarter landing.
