What are the posts on a banister called?
Spindle. The spindles are the vertical posts that run along the side of the staircase, between the handrail and baseball. These could be made of wood, metal or glass, depending on the style of staircase you have.
What is the end post of a staircase called?
newel post
A newel, also called a central pole or support column, is the central supporting pillar of a staircase. It can also refer to an upright post that supports and/or terminates the handrail of a stair banister (the “newel post”).
What are newels and balusters?
Newels have added weight and are seen as the support system for your staircase. The thicker posts support the handrail, while the balusters fill out the rest. Balusters are used in succession to create a balustrade, or a line of balusters. Each post contributes to the look and feel of your home’s staircase.
What are block type newels used for?
A newel post serves as a support pole that helps bear the weight of the rest of the stairway. Newels are always found at the foot of a flight of stairs and you will also find newels at the top of the stairway in order to maintain symmetry. Further, newels are placed at junctures where the stairway changes directions.
What is the difference between a banister and a baluster?
The word “banister” comes from the word baluster, which is really a pomegranate flower! Nowadays, baluster mean any brace between the handrail and footrail (or string) of a railing system. So, the banister is really the spindle. In general, the handrail, footrail, and balusters all components of a balustrade.
Why do they call it a newel post?
Originally, a newel was the central post of a winding or circular stairway. If such a stairway has no central post, it is said to be of hollow-newel construction. In Gothic architecture a post used to support a vaulted-arch roof was sometimes called a newel.
What do you call the side of a staircase?
The outer string is the side of a staircase where the treads and risers can be seen from the side. Riser. A riser is a vertical board that forms the face of a step. Nosing. Staircase nosing is a horizontal edge of a step often used where the most foot traffic occurs.
What’s the difference between spindles and balusters?
A baluster and spindle is actually almost the same thing, but the word spindle is more commonly used because it is easier to remember and say. Balusters usually rest on a footing; this could be a step, floor or deck, whereas, spindles are supported by a horizontal rail at the bottom that is attached to the posts.
What’s the difference between a baluster and a banister?
The word “banister” comes from the word baluster, which is really a pomegranate flower! A baluster is really a shape that became an architectural detail. Nowadays, baluster mean any brace between the handrail and footrail (or string) of a railing system. So, the banister is really the spindle.
How long can a handrail be between posts?
OSHA requires railing posts to be spaced no more than 8-feet apart on center, no matter if it’s wood, pipe railing, or structural steel. If posts are spaced more than 8-feet on center, it will no longer be OSHA compliant.
Do newel posts have to match?
Most often, you can achieve a dramatic look by changing only the main newel posts at the start of a stair while leaving the others as they are. In this case, it is important to make sure that the new posts match or complement the existing posts, but they do not need to be identical.
What’s the best way to make a newel post?
StairSupplies™ uses a precise, German engineered lathe for turned newels that is computer controlled for repeatable perfection. The turned newels are then hand sanded until they are completely smooth, offering no splinters or sharp corners.
When do you need a newel post on a balcony?
Further, for code-compliance, a newel post is necessary on balconies where the length of the handrail is eight feet or longer. Therefore, if you have a sixteen-foot balcony, you will need three newel posts, one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end.
What’s the difference between box newels and turned newels?
There are two main types of newels: box newels and turned newels. Both are great choices to give support to your stairway and they only differ in terms of stylistic preferences. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between them. Box newels (also called square newels) are just what the names suggests: square and box-shaped.
Can a box newel be used as a stair post?
Both function perfectly well in their structural duties and both can be incorporated with either wood or iron newels. At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide whether a box newel or turned newel is perfect for your dream stairway. We are going to look in depth at the Colonial Elegance Series Box Newels.