"Newel Posts" Frequently Asked Questions
A newel post sits at the top and bottom of your staircase to provide strength and support to the bannister. Newel posts don’t just give a balustrade structure and strength, they also offer the perfect opportunity to add a decorative touch to your stairway. Stair newel posts can vary in design, from rounded to square newel posts, to reflect the style of the staircase and interior decor.
Half newel posts are used to attach a balustrade to a landing wall. They also provide an attractive finish to the balustrade and help to tie-in the overall look of the staircase. Although you can buy a newel post and slice it in half yourself, it’s much easier and more cost-effective and reduces waste, 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 find out more about what half newel posts are with our half newel post guide.
Newel posts are usually made of wood, with white primed, hemlock, pine, and oak being the most popular materials. Other materials for newel posts include ash, dark hardwood, and walnut.
When deciding which material you should choose, you will need to consider your budget and your intended aesthetic, overall style, and what would help complement your home decor.
With our measurements, we do not include the peg as this sits inside the newel base. Learn more about newel posts, caps and more in our expert guide.
Newel posts are usually a fixed length, between 750mm–850mm long. The newel base is the bottom fixing for the post that is anchored to the ground. A newel base usually has a pre-drilled 50mm diameter hole in which the post fits into.
A newel cap can be added on top of your post to add extra style and finish off your staircase.