Add a newell post? Switch to wood hand rails?
I could use some advice about the main stairwell of our 1970 development house! Should we replace its metal handrails with wood handrails, complete with a classic recessed panel newel post?
The other day, I saw that a neighbor's contractor had made this change, and now I can't get it out of my mind!!! Especially since I grew up in a 1920s house with a classic oak newel post...so it's triggering fond childhood memories. We'll probably sell this house in about two years, so I won't have long to enjoy this improvement if we pursue it, but perhaps it might also mean something in terms of resale to eliminate the cheap-looking metal rails, which seem like a detracting feature to me.
(I never liked them.) The exterior of our house is more or less Colonial, with a traditional, slightly transitional internal styling.
I'd probably want a recessed panel newel post stained to match the stairs and floor which are red oak, and handrails the same, with the balusters painted white. I am undecided about the baluster shape but the simple square ones seem cleanest and the best pairing with the kind of newel post I want. The current trend for white-painted risers is one we'll skip -- too irreversible for me! I've included three photos our our stairwell and a couple from the web.
Any advice is welcome!
Comments (8)
- 4 years ago
Patricia, I wish I had snapped a photo to show how my neighbor's contractor used the newel post for the wood hand rail on the upper part of their stairway! Instead, I tried to sketch it in my photo; see below. They removed the entire metal assembly, including switching to wood spindles.
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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 MoreNewel Post - Cap or finial?
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4 years agoUnless your move date is iron-clad, for sure, etc., people often stay in a home longer than they imagine which would give you more time to enjoy the handrail and bannister you so clearly want. To help you decide 1) get a contractor’s quote to affine (you can demo and remove the current stuff yourself) and 2) here’s photos of an oak handrail to help you visual that section of your stairwell. And I agree, painting risers white would work well in your space too.
Karenmo thanked User- 4 years ago
Patricia Colwell Consulting