Sometimes a simple feature can change the entire look of a home element like wood stairs. Considering box newel posts vs. turned newel posts can help you find the look and aesthetic you’d like for your wood stairs renovation project. Even a small difference like a solid structured box newel post vs. a sleek-looking turned newel post can make all the difference when it comes to your new or renovated design. Keep reading to learn what the differences are between a box newel post and a turned newel post to help you find which look will better fit your wood stairs design.

What is a Newel Post?
A newel post is considered to be the central pole and support column in the construction of a staircase. The central supporting pillar of a staircase is needed to be fixed to the square newel base for installation. There are different types of newel posts depending on the design of your wood stairs. Some newel posts are exposed meaning the design and wood is on display. In some smaller homes the newel post might be hidden in a wall or other type of design. For most wooden staircases, the newel post can serve as an aesthetically pleasing feature that ties in the entire look of the staircase with the rest of the home. The upright post supports the handrail of a stair banister. Since the beginning of modern architecture, newels have often featured decorative trim and design with different architectural styles.

What is a Box Newel Post?
When it comes to box newel post, these types of newel posts are known to be hollow. According to Wikipedia, historic homes featured the hollow box newel post and were used to place the house plans inside before the newel was capped upon completion of the house. Different types of wood are better for woodworking tools. So depending on the type of wood you are planning to use to construct your wood stairs project, consider if using woodworking tools on your newel post is going to be a feasible option. With the Box newel post, they will require less woodworking tools to be used to create the newel post as opposed to the turned newel.

What is a Turned Newel Post?
Turned newel posts are exactly what the name sounds like, posts that are turned on a lathe to complete a sleek, rounded design. A turned newel post is solid in its design and construction as opposed to the box newel post, which is hollow. A turned newel post can feature a variety of designs depending on how it is made on the lathe. Custom newel posts are popular because of the ability for woodworkers to make various designs to accommodate just about any type of home design and style.

How to choose between Box Newel Posts and Turned Newel Posts:
Depending on the type of wood you are choosing for your home wood stairs project, box newel posts might be a better option than turned posts and vice versa. It ultimately depends on the look you desire for your completed wood stairs project. Our wood stairs newel posts come in both turned and box style. We feature a variety of wood designs for both box newel posts and turned newel posts. Check out what we have to offer that might fit your new or renovated wood stair parts design.

Sources:

wikipedia.com
houzz.com
Photo 2: 5crownkabinky.blogspot.com/2011/03/foyer-before-afters.html