Newel post
Stairs are used to create a pedestrian route between different vertical levels by dividing the height between the levels into manageable steps.
Stairs, in particular in domestic premises, may include guarding to one, or both sides, in the form of a banister, that is, an assembly of uprights and a handrail.
The main upright supporting the handrail, is known as the ‘newel post’. These are typically found at the bottom of stairs, but can also be found at the top, and in intermediate positions, such as landings.
Newel posts can be simple, or can be very ornate. Ornate newel posts may sit on a newel base, and be capped by a spherical finial. They can be solid or hollow constructions.
|
|
| Ornate newel post with finial. | Simple newel post. |
In medieval times, the newel (Old English: Noel, Nowel and Nuel) was the central column around which a spiral or circular staircase wound. In some parts of Northern England, the newel column would terminate above the uppermost level of steps and continue up to a vaulted roof where ribs would radiate from it, giving a palm-tree effect, as at Belsay Castle, Northumberland (14th century).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approved Document K.
- Banister.
- Finial.
- Guarding.
- Lifts.
- Poppyhead.
- Railing.
- Ramps.
- Stairs.
- Stairs going.
- Stairs nosing.
- Stairs riser.
- Stairs tread.
Featured articles and news
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.