Has anyone successfully converted a portion of their wall into a newel post with balusters before, and if so, how did you securely attach the box newel post?
Asked by Marcelo da Costa 
2 months ago
Last Updated: September 14, 2024
Hey there, everyone! I’m thinking about taking down a bit of this wall by the stairs to put in a newel post and balusters, like the photo I shared. Has anyone here tried this before? My main worry is making sure the newel post is really secure. I just want to have a good idea of what to expect before I go for it or decide to hire someone. If you’ve tackled a project like this, I’d be super grateful for any tips or stories you could share!
I’ve actually secured the newel post in the past by anchoring it from the front and then adding a hanger bolt into the ground.
Hey there, ! I really appreciate the feedback.
There are specialized kits available for securing a post ‘invisibly’, meaning the fasteners are concealed behind a piece of trim. This one is for a 3″ post, but they are also sold in other sizes.
These kits tend to be most effective when there is a sturdy foundation under the subfloor. If you’re only attaching it to a single layer of subfloor, the holding power may be limited.
Alternatively, you can drill through the post (with a countersink) and attach it to the stair stringer using long lag bolts. Then, cover the countersunk bolt heads with plugs. This method can be challenging if you plan to stain the post, but it works very well if you intend to paint it.
Check out what happens when you don’t do a thorough job with the plug covering the lag bolts. The previous owner of our house just filled it with wood putty. Ideally, you should use round wood plugs that match the species and grain pattern of the post, and try to align the plug with the post’s grain pattern.
Hey William M. nelly, thanks for getting back to me! I think I’ll need to attach it to the stringer so I don’t mess up the tile floor near the stairs.
That will definitely enhance the appearance!
I sure hope so, !
For this, there are specific hardware pieces available. It might be a good idea to extend the post to the floor (allowing it to be bolted through the framing at the base).
Try countersinking a Lag bolt first. After that, you can conceal it with a plug.