Newel

A newel, also called a central pole or support column, is the central supporting pillar of a spiral staircase. It can also (usually as "newel post") refer to an upright post that supports the handrail of a stair banister.^[1][2][3] In stairs having straight flights it is the principal post at the foot of the staircase, but it can also be used for the intermediate posts on landings and at the top of a staircase. Although its primary purpose is structural, newels have long been adorned with decorative trim and designed with different architectural styles.^[4]

Newels are sometimes called solid newels in distinction from hollow newels due to varying techniques of construction. Newel posts turned on a lathe are solid glue laminated pieces. Hollow newels are known more accurately as box newel posts. In historic homes, it is believed that the house plans were placed in the newel upon completion of the house before the newel was capped.^[5][6]

A loose ball cap finial on the newel post at the base of the stairway is a plot device in the 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life. The same is used in jest in the 1989 film Christmas Vacation.

Gallery

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  A sketch of a stair with two quarter space landings showing three types of newel posts.

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  The bottom joint between the newel post and the outside string showing the housings for the tread and first and second risers.

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  The joint between the string and newel as seen from the stairwell.

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  The joint between the string and newel as seen from the stair.

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  A cast iron spiral staircase clearly showing the central newel post that supports the treads, risers and balustrade.

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  There is no newel at Loretto Chapel's spiral staircase (the "Miracle stair") in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

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  Newel and finial of a Jacobean staircase in Boston Manor House, United Kingdom.

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  Arts and Crafts newel designed by W.S. Barber, at Spring Hall, Halifax

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  Illustration of a Newel

References

1. Chambers Science and Technology Dictionary
2. Glossary of Australian Building Terms - Third Edition.(NCRB)
3. Carpentry and Joinery - Volume Three - Dowsett and Stevens.
4. Distinctive Wood Designs Inc. (2010) "Newel Post Styles", 1.
5. Newel Posts and Newel Postlore, old house web
6. Secret compartment within a box newel post, woodstairs.com