Was this newel post installed correctly?
Anna Zanko
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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Mule Meat
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Need advice on stability of iron balusters and newel posts.....
Comments (4)threeapples- Just like many other aspects of your build that you have encountered, I think the carpenter is unfamiliar with this manufacturer as well as the install method. It sounds like he is comfortable with the standard wooden baluster method and so he is pointing you in that direction and trying to ensure you go his way by suggesting that the one you've already specced is unstable. And no one wants an unstable railing on their staircase, right? I have no hands on experience with installing balusters, balustrades, etc. However, this company has been making these since the mid-40's. I think that says something about their stability. A quote I pulled from the King website: "Internationally acclaimed, GRANDE FORGE can be located in the finest hotels, restaurants and exclusive residences in all five continents. " If their product is stable enough to be used in hotels & restaurants with all the abuse that goes along with these type of businesses, I would surely think it would be stable enough for a single family home. And how many upscale hotel, upscale restaurant, and exclusive residence installs has your carpenter done that included this level of balustrade/baluster work? That may tell you all you need to know. Perhaps someone from King Metals or Grande Forge could talk with the carpenter via phone about his concerns on install. If he's worth his salt, your carpenter should be ok with talking to them to learn how to install this system properly so that there isn't any wobble. If he's not willing to take the time and energy to learn from the supplier/manufacturer, then maybe its time to find someone who is familiar with this product to install it. King or G-F may be able to help with a referral for an experienced installer. Hope this helps!...See MoreSuggestions to make sure ipe deck is installed correctly
Comments (1)Face fasten ipe do not use the clips,provide cross ventalation. I use construstion adhesive on the joists. With the corect install ipe will not cup or warp. Cedar is too soft and prone to rot to be a long lasting decking choice. John....See MoreNewell Post reinstallation
Comments (8)I finally got back to this house, removed the loose Newell post, and took some photos. In the first one, you can see the KeyLock, the lag screw, and the bottom of the post itself. The block of wood is a piece of 2x4. In the second photo, I show the screw in the keylock pushed tightly upward, against another 2x4. You can see that the threads are entirely beyond the wood thickness. I think what happened is that when I complained to the builder a year ago, he disassembled the installation and put a longer screw, not realizing that the unthreaded portion was too long for the application. It seemed tight but shortly it loosened. When it happened again, he said "I don't guarantee my work forever", so I decided to investigate. I screwed the lag screw farther in and it seemed tight, but after a few days of kids going down the stairs, it loosened again. I took it apart again, and came to the conclusion I described above. I can think of two ways to fix this: find a larger lag screw with larger threads but the same size head, and only 1/2 inch unthreaded part, also the same size, or remove the 2x4 piece and replace it with a new one. Perhaps just a newly installed, shorter lag screw (like the one in the KeyLock link shown in post one, will be tight enough; or put a 1/2" T-nut on the back side of the 2x4 and use a 1/2" bolt. Or, put in a piece of 4x4. One problem is that the old part is glued in so getting it out is tricky, but not impossible, with my tools. To answer thatsmuchbetter, the post is hollow. I'm not sure what you mean climate controlled - it has heat in the winter, but no A/C Suggestions?...See MoreNewel Post Clarification
Comments (3)What you're looking at in the picture at the bottom of the stairs looks more to be a 6" newel and above that is a 3" newel. I did a 6" newel at the bottom and a 4.25" newel to run into it....See MoreAnna Zanko
5 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
5 years agoAnna Zanko thanked Jeffrey R. Grenz, General ContractorAnna Zanko
5 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
5 years agoAnna Zanko thanked Jeffrey R. Grenz, General ContractorVirgil Carter Fine Art
5 years agorwiegand
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
5 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
5 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
5 years agoAnna Zanko
5 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agorwiegand
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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