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Building a HomeFlooringDesign Dilemma
valeriecalifornia

Starter Newell - on stair, notched into stair, or in front of stair?

valeriecalifornia
5 years ago

What are some of the pros/cons of newell post placement? I'm seeing photos where the starter newell is notched to fit over the first stair and/or the stair is built around it, photos where the newell posts sits flat on the first stair, and even some newells sitting on the floor an inch or so in front of the stair case, not touching any step at all.


Any insight is appreciated!

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Joseph Corlett, LLC
    5 years ago

    I like what the building inspection department likes.

    Comments (8)

    • cpartist
      5 years ago

      Depends on how much room, the stair design and personal preference.

    • PRO
      Virgil Carter Fine Art
      5 years ago

      What is the architectural style of your house?

    • PRO
      Patricia Colwell Consulting
      5 years ago

      The style of the stircase often dictates this and sometimes the building inspector.

    • User
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      The post should look like it is part of the stair. Placing it centered on the second riser is common. It can also be offset on a wider first tread so the railing attaches to the side it. Other than that, you need to show us a photo or plan. Sketch the options as you think of them. Pay attention to the spacing of the balusters.

    • PRO
      The Stair Runner Store- StairRunnerStore.com
      5 years ago

      We've been in the stair runner business for about 22 years. We've found that newel posts, particularly in a very old home may be so wide in relation to the staircase that they complicate the placement of the stair runner. That is, centering it - in a case like that, we often just hug the post with the runner allowing it to be centered on the remaining stairs. In some cases we have cut the runner material around the post - had we not the runner would be completely off-center on the remaining stairs. StairRunnerStore

    • PRO
      Fairway Style Living
      5 years ago

      Hi, Valerie--


      One thing to consider is how much space you have in your foyer to move around, too. If it's a tighter clearance, you may consider stepping the newel up onto the first stair, as we did on a recent job here in California, too. Thankfully, it's kept the millwork free from scars and scrapes, and fresh as the day it was installed in an otherwise smaller entry area.

    • PRO
      Classic Structures Inc.
      5 years ago

      You first need to look at the building code requirements for the whole staircase. Is the grab railing going to attach to the wall or to the outside of the staircase?

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