General wear and scuffs naturally happen to your stair newel posts, especially as your staircase is a high-traffic area. But what can you do if your newel posts become damaged or worn? Do you need to invest in brand-new newel posts?
Our experts take a look at this throughout our latest blog!
Why you need to prioritise repairing your newel post
A newel post, also known as a stair post, is the fundamental supporting column of your balustrade - the safety rail structure that runs alongside your stairs and landing. If these parts become damaged, they need to be repaired promptly due to:
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Safety
A damaged stair post can be detrimental to staircase safety. If it’s unstable, it can cause the handrail to wobble and offer no support to stair users gripping it to steady themselves.
Chipped newel posts can also lead to splinters and catch on clothing as you move past.
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Aesthetics
Cracked, worn, or scratched stair parts are an eyesore and bring down the visual appeal of your home. A newel post refurb can help to refresh your hallway or landing area, making you feel house proud again!
Common newel post damages and how to fix them
You may be experiencing one or more of the following common stair post damages - keep reading to find out how best to address each one!
Wobbly newel posts
Loose newel posts can impact the stability of your balustrade and need fixing as soon as possible to ensure your spindles and handrail maintain their performance.
Here’s how to tackle the problem:
Firstly, inspect the post to find the cause of the wobbling. You may discover that the issue is a loose screw which can be solved by tightening. For additional support, you could add wood screws, making sure to install them at an angle.
Then, add wood adhesive between the base of the post and your landing/stairs for added stability.
Broken newel posts
If large segments of your newel post have broken away for whatever reason, you’ll need to replace or cover the section.
This could mean cutting away the damaged area, moulding a new piece of timber to slot in, and securing it with wood adhesive. Or alternatively, you could invest in oak veneer cladding to fit over the post, covering each side equally.
Minor damage to your stair newel posts
Small imperfections are a fairly quick and simple fix. For scratches and minor chips, you can apply a wood filler to the area to level out the post’s surface - just make sure the filler colour matches the shade of your newel post. Let it dry and sand it for a smooth and professional finish.
We recommend addressing minor imperfections, such as gauges, as soon as they appear to prevent them from developing into bigger problems later on.
Replacing your newel posts
Sometimes, newel posts and other stair components are past the point of salvaging if they’re badly damaged, or very old. For example, they may have snapped completely or rotted away.
In that case, it's time to replace them with a brand-new one. A fresh oak newel post can completely revitalise your balustrade and save you the fuss of repairing your current part.
This could also be the perfect opportunity to upgrade the look of your staircase with a new design. For example, you could go from a worn outdated style to a modern squared design that rejuvenates your space.
Contacting us
If you need top-quality newel posts at excellent prices, you’ve come to the right place! At Stair Crazy, there’s an array of styles to choose from, as well as an exceptional range of spindles and handrails, perfect for creating your dream balustrade.
For product guidance and advice, give us a message today or call our team and we’ll be happy to help.