20% OFF COUPON CODE = SAVE2026
Free shipping on orders over $750
20% OFF COUPON CODE = SAVE2026
Wood Newels & Balusters
Box Newels & Blank Wood Newel Posts
This collection includes two types of square wood newel posts that anchor a staircase balustrade.
Box Newels have a hollow core and a larger footprint. They often include decorative caps and base trim and work well for Craftsman, Farmhouse, and traditional styles.
Blank Newels are solid wood posts milled S4S (Surfaced Four Sides) for a clean, square profile. Their simple look suits modern and contemporary designs, or they can be used as a base for custom work.
Both styles come in standard sizes and unfinished wood species ready for paint or stain. Secure them to the floor framing with newel post anchor kits. We stock a wide range of sizes and styles so you can get the right post without long delays.
Shop this photo
Shop newel posts by style
Showing 1–12 of 18 resultsSorted by popularity
A newel post is the large post that anchors a stair railing. It sits at the bottom of the stair, at every turn or landing, and at the top, and the handrail runs between them. It's also called a newel, a starting post or a banister post. If the newels are solid, the whole railing feels solid. If they move, nothing else fixes it.
Box newels (4191, 4592, 961-56, 4291, 4691) are built as a box with a cap, and come in plain, recessed panel, raised panel and fluted styles. They're the most popular choice for craftsman, transitional and traditional homes. The 4592 Adjustable has a sliding base sleeve so you can extend or shorten it on site.
Blank newels (4000, 3000 Series and 3-1/2″ S4S) are plain square posts for modern and farmhouse stairs. You cut them to length from the bottom and either miter the top or add a newel post cap. The 4000 Blank is the best-selling newel we carry.
For a traditional look, classic turned newels come in pin top, mushroom top, ball top and landing styles. For a modern stair, look at ForestKraft routed and box newels, Skandi round newels and Röhe.
Use a full-height starting newel (54–56″) at the bottom of the stair and at landings. On a long run of handrail, a shorter 43″ stabilizer post (4000-SP, 4191-SP, 4592-SP) adds support partway along the rail.
Our red oak and white oak newels have a solid core. Other species, such as maple, cherry and hickory, are hollow with a mounting block inside and can take up to 4 weeks. Every wood newel ships unfinished and ready to stain or paint, so you can match it to your treads and handrail.
Standard. Blank, S4S, 4191 and 4592-Plain newels. Works with most handrails and both iron and wood balusters.
Statement. 961-56 and 4592 Adjustable. A heavier post for open stairs and larger foyers.
Grand. 4291, 4691 box newels and ForestKraft 5000 / 5400 / 5900 large newels. Best for wide stairs and horizontal bar railings.
A wobbly newel is almost always an installation problem, not a newel problem. Glue and nails alone won't hold it. Bolt it down:
Cut from the bottom so the handrail lands at the right height. Blank newels can be mitered or capped on top.
The S-9403 Wood Newel Mounting Kit is a long bolt system that torques the newel down so it can't move. Use one per newel. For a hidden install on a wood floor or tread, use the S-3007 Flush Newel Post Anchoring System.
Fasten into the stringer, floor framing or added blocking, not just the subfloor.
Connect the handrail to the newel with a rail bolt kit, then finish the newel to match. Full steps are in our How to Install a Wood Newel Post guide.
A newel post is the main structural post of a stair railing. It's installed at the bottom of the stair, at landings and turns, and at the top, and it holds the handrail and balusters in place.
Newel posts are the large posts at the ends and turns of a railing. Balusters (also called spindles) are the smaller vertical pieces that fill the space between the handrail and the treads.
A newel post is also called a newel, a starting newel, a starting post or a banister post.
Most stairs use a 3″ to 3-1/2″ newel. Choose 4-1/2″ to 6-1/4″ for a wider stair or a heavier, more custom look. Use a full-height 54–56″ newel at the bottom and at landings, and a 43″ stabilizer post to support a long run of rail.
Bolt it into solid framing with a newel mounting kit, such as the S-9403 Wood Newel Mounting Kit. Glue and nails alone won't keep a newel tight over time.
Yes. Our box newels come with two cap options to choose from. Blank newels don't include a cap, so you can miter the top or add a matching newel post cap in wood or Satin Black.
No. Our wood newels ship unfinished and ready to stain or paint to match your treads and handrail.
Red oak and white oak newels in stock ship the same day when ordered by 11am CST on business days. Specialty species can take up to 4 weeks. Orders of $750 or more in parts ship free.
