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Finishing off the newel posts on your staircase with caps gives you an opportunity to stamp your own taste on this structural design feature. For many homeowners and interior designers, there are good reasons to choose square newel caps, such as the benefits of using cost effective and classic newel caps. Many buyers prefer the elegance and functionality of square newel post caps over more complex designs.
In this guide, we explore the options for both flat newel caps, acorn square caps and box caps to finish off your newel posts. We will also discuss the different types of wood you can choose from, how to choose the best size and answer important questions about this often-striking staircase feature.
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Read the different types of wood you can choose from for a square newel cap, explaining the benefits of each.
Find out the different options of sizes when choosing square newel caps.
Read about the different design options for square newel caps.
Read the meaning of a half newel post cap and when you may need to use one.
Tips on caring for square newel post caps and a recommended product.
Find out how can replace a square newel cap.
In some contemporary homes, the eye-catching elegance of a metal newel cap finishes off an impressive staircase superbly, such as our Axxys Solo White Chrome Cap with its wood insert. There is also the option to buy a newel cap featuring both a metal and wood outer, such as the stunning Axxys Solo Oak and Nickel Cap.
However, as many newel posts are engineered from wood, specifiers and homeowners believe the best finishing touch for stair rail posts is a square cap also crafted in the same material. The wood type you choose depends on the materials already used in the construction of your staircase, your budget, and the caps in the Jackson range that blend best into your hall and landing décor.
Your main options of woods are:
A dense and strong wood, ash is popular for engineering important structures such as handrails as well as for finishing touches such as newel caps.
Shop our full range of ash newel caps here.
Using dark hardwood caps is a great option in family homes or anywhere that dirt could frequently transfer from hands onto the rails or the caps that finish off the newels. Darker colours can also be the best way to disguise scratches and any other damage caused by kids and frequent use.
View our full selection of dark hardwood newel caps here.
If you're looking for a highly durable material, our box square newel post caps in oak could be a perfect choice.
One of the major benefits of opting for an oak newel post cap is the way they hold paint, varnish and wax, creating a superb and lasting finish, though they do tend to be slightly more expensive.
Shop our selection of oak newel caps.
The primary advantage of choosing quality pine for staircase structures is that it’s a highly cost-effective material. Our Pine Flat Caps for newel posts are highly affordable yet attractive features when finished off in your chosen method and colour.
View our different types of pine newel caps here.
Buying post caps in hardwood already primed in white means you can quickly finish your staircase in any colour. You will also find options such as our White Primed Flat Caps an inexpensive way to finish off posts.
You can shop our full range of white primed newel caps and white primed newel posts here.
Due to hemlock’s uniform density, it will take a stain easily with the minimum of colour distortion and does not split or break when being worked with. It is also less brittle and stronger than many hardwoods.
Our hemlock flat caps provide a simple and understated addition to a staircase, whereas the hemlock square acorn caps will provide an inviting, aesthetically pleasing staircase addition.
View our selection of hemlock newel caps here.
Highly prized for its dark coloured, true heartwood, walnut is heavy and strong, yet easily split and worked. Walnut newel caps will bring a traditional, rich feel to your staircase.
For a classic, effective staircase finish, you can opt for our walnut flat newel caps.
For more options, shop our range of walnut newel caps.
It is important to find the best newel caps for each post, focusing on the different sized pegs that will attach it securely to the upright. Jackson offers 70mm, 82mm, 90mm and 120mm post cap designs, so you can find the best fit for your wood post.
You can shop our full range of square newel post caps here.
One of the advantages of choosing square newel caps made from wood is they blend wonderfully into any interior design.
Many of the design options for square newel cap posts are minimalistic, creating something reassuring to hold on to when using a staircase. Take a look at our walnut flat cap for a great example of understated elegance.
Modern hallways and landings with contemporary staircases could benefit from adding square newel posts and caps to make a real statement. Our stunning White Oak and Chrome newel post caps are great options to consider.
Choosing between a flat, acorn or box design generally comes down to what matches your existing structure and interior design the best.
To craft a strong and beautiful balustrade, many designers and homeowners add in a half newel post into the structure. This could be added at any point that the staircase needs an additional secure point (such as landings) or where there is a turn.
A half newel post attaches directly to a wall. To finish it off beautifully, a half newel cap is used. You can shop our full range of half newel posts and half newel post caps here.
Finding a supplier of well-crafted square newel posts gives you access to a diverse range of prices too. For instance, an oak newel cap would tend to be more expensive, as oak is highly sought after due to its extremely tough and long-lasting qualities.
A far less expensive newel cap option would be one crafted out of pine. If you combine that with the simple elegance of a square design, you can keep the unit cost even lower. For example, our 70mm pine flat caps sell for as little as £3.50 each.
Whatever materials you select for your newel post caps, they are features of your staircase that are likely to come under considerable handling over time. Even the most solid and simplistic square designs can get knocked and scuffed, which makes it vital to invest in quality wood filler and hardwood oil to regularly treat and restore the surface.
We offer important fitting tips for newel caps, as well as the best products to keep caps looking great.
You can view our range of staircase finishings and fillings here.
What happens if your square newel post cap is accidentally damaged beyond repair? Finding a replacement in an appropriate design is much easier with our online stair parts range. We have also shared our insights, with our step-by-step guide to replacing a newel cap.
If you need more help choosing or replacing square newel post caps, then please get in touch with the team at Jackson Woodturners today.
