What Is A Box Newel Post & Other FAQ?

Choosing the right post for your staircase or balustrade can make all the difference to the overall style and aesthetic of your space. Box newel posts have been a popular choice in America for many years, and have increasingly been incorporated into home builds around Australia. 

Box Newel posts are particularly popular in coastal and hamptons design builds, and offer a stylish alternative to the more traditional turned newel posts. We’ll walk you through the differences between these two stair post styles, and answer the most frequently asked questions regarding box newel posts!

A box newel post is a style of stair or balustrade post, that is often hollow or rebated, allowing drop in panels, skirts and mouldings to be used as decoration. Most commonly these posts are made from timber, and can either be stained or painted depending on personal preference.

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Box newel posts and turned newel posts both serve the same purpose (to support a staircase or balustrade), but look vastly different from one another. Box newel posts tend to be squarer and more modern than the turned variety, while turned posts are better suited to more traditional builds (and as the name might suggest, will always incorporate at least one decorative turned section). Both however, tend to be made from timber rather than steel.

In addition to turned timber sections, turned newel posts might also include fluted or chamford sections where box newels will not. As a result box newel posts tend to be used most in modern, hamptons, coastal and high end builds, while turned posts tend to be used in restorations and heritage style homes.

Plain posts can also be used where box newels or turned posts are too decorative/over the top. Thankfully- we stock all three varieties at hammersmith. You can find them all listed here.

Choosing the right post for your staircase or balustrade mostly comes down to personal preference and taste. If you are restoring a heritage home, you might want to consider using turned posts- whereas if you a building a brand new house or prefer a minimalist aesthetic, perhaps box newels or plain posts might be a better choice.

What is the purpose of a newel post?

A stair or balustrade newel post is a structural balustrade element, which also serves a decorative purpose. They are often found at the end of handrails, and on winders/landings.

What materials are newel posts made of?

Newel posts can be made from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, wrought iron, wood and galvanised steel. Primarily however, they tend to be made from timber; most commonly pine.

Can I install a newel post myself?

Yes you can absolutely install a staircase newel yourself! If you intend to install newel posts in your own home however, we recommend consulting a quilidied builder or tradesman to ensure that your new staircase or balustrade meets Australian Standards (as newel posts are an important structural element of any staircase).

How do I maintain my newel post? 

Newel posts should not require much maintenance, however you should always ensure that the correct materials are being used prior to installation. For instance, if you intend to use the newel post outside you should always use treated timber, as most newel posts are not actually suitable for external use.