Starting Newel - Stair Handrailing Parts

The starting newel is the first newel post located at the bottom of the stairway. The picture below provides you with an excellent example of a starting newel.

Starting Newel Post Tips

Make sure that they are fastened securely to the foundation or stairway and do not wobble. These are the main structural supports for the stairway handrails system and should not move.

Almost everyone who uses a stairway that has a starting newel post installed at the base of the stairs, will grab onto it as they walk up the stairs. On their way down, they will usually grab it, but some of them will use it as a pivoting point to sling their body around it, while exiting the stairs.

I can't tell you how much pressure is going to be put on this one building component, during the life of the stairway. The moment the newel post starts to wiggle or move, it becomes a magnet to anyone who's interested in seeing how far they can actually move it.

Some building code requirements will dictate the location of your starting newel, so you should familiarize yourself with your local building codes, before building or remodeling a stairway.

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