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.
In this guide, we take a closer look at your options and help you make the right choice to ensure your balustrade looks its best.
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Find out what your most cost-effective design option is.
Read how to determine what newel post size you need and the difference between continuous, pegged, complete and half newel posts.
Find out your options of pine newel post caps.
Read our product recommendations for keeping pine newel posts in good condition.
Read the other woods you can choose from when buying newel posts.
We answer frequently asked questions on choosing pine newel posts.
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
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Other designs of pine newel posts include:
Turned newel posts
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 a 82mm newel base. An 82mm newel cap is required for the top of the newel post
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Barley twist newel posts
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
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Stop chamfered newel posts
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
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Fluted newel posts
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
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Volute newel posts
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
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Provincial newel posts
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
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Are you looking to find out more about the different newel post styles? Visit our newel post styles advice page for more information.
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 will also 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.
Complete newel posts
This is a post that incorporates the base to form a complete unit. Sometimes, the newel cap is also attached.
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.
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.
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 pine, ash, dark hardwood, hemlock, walnut, oak and white primed wood. We also offer wooden options combined with either chrome or brushed nickel elements. Generally speaking, square 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 newel post will require a 90mm 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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 few maintenance requirements, but it is 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 and learn what stair parts you will need. 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.
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.
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 - this guide is a good method.
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.
Related content
Your options of fluted newel posts
Choosing pine square newel posts
A guide to stop chamfered newel posts
