Installation Guide
20
STEP B.3 – Install the Starting Newel
See StairNote Six: Starting Newels and Handrail Height
B.3a – lnstalling a Starting Newel in an Over-the-
Post Stairway with a Bullnose Starting Step
In Step A.6, the starting step was assembled and dry fit to
the stairway. Now place the template (supplied with the
volute or turnout fitting) on the tread and on the baluster
line (Step B.1a). Following the template instructions, mark
baluster and newel positions.
Using the Crown Heritage Starting Newel Attachment Kit
(#3072), install your newels. Locate the position of the
newel on the starting step using the volute template. Then,
using a
7
/8" drill bit, bore a hole through the tread. Attach
the black metal plate to the bottom side of the tread using
three screws.
Determine the length of the newel needed for your
installation, and cut off the end of the square portion of
the newel. Using the
3
/8" drill bit, bore a 5" hole in the
center of the newel (see Fig. 10-1).
W
ARNING: It is critical that the hole be bored straight
into the newel. If not done properly, the newel may lean.
S TEP
B.3a
SECTION B
1
9
5"
SECTION B
S TEP
B.2b
FIG. 10-1 - Newel installation on a starting step
DETERMINING LENGTH OF AN OVER-THE-POST STARTING NEWEL
In an Over-the-Post installation, the handrail must be
assembled in order to calculate all the newel lengths. To
calculate the Volute or Turnout Newel, simply center the
hole in the bottom of the starting fitting over the center
layout mark for the newel as indicated on the template that
is supplied with the starting fitting. In order to do this, the
volute or turnout should be attached to a section of straight
rail so that the rail section can be clamped in place, resting
on the noses of the treads and lined up on the balustrade
centerline. Adjust the handrail/fitting assembly up or down
the rake to achieve centering as described above. Now it is a
simple matter to measure the distance from the starting tread
to the bottom of the starting fitting. Add this dimension to
the desired rake height and subtract the thickness of the rake
rail, measured vertically, and you have calculated the length
of the starting newel, exclusive of the top pin.
D
ETERMINING LENGTH OF AN OVER-THE POST LANDING NEWEL
To calculate the length of a landing newel, the hole in the
bottom of the fitting must be centered over the intersection
of the balustrade centerlines. With the appropriate
gooseneck attached to a piece of straight rail extending up
the second flight, clamp the assembly in place on the noses
of the treads of the second flight. Be sure and align the
centerline of the assembly with the balustrade centerline on
both flights. Adjust the assembly up or down the rake until
t
he hole in the bottom of the fitting is located precisely over
t
he int
ersection of the lower and upper balustrade. Measure
the distance from the landing to the bottom of the fitting.
A
dd t
he r
ak
e rail height minus the thickness of the rail,
measured on the plumb, and you have the length of the
newel exclusive of the pin on the top and any drape or
notc
hing r
eq
uir
ed.
D
ETERMINING LENGTH OF AN OVER-THE-POST BALCONY NEWEL
The balcon
y newel length is calculated by taking the
thickness of the rail from the desired balcony rail height.
This giv
es t
he lengt
h of the newel exclusive of the pin on the
top and any drape and notching required. If a drape is
desired then the newel must be notched.
Vertical
thickness
of rail
Starting fitting
Distance from
starting fitting
to top of tread
center
FIG. 9-4 - Determining the length of a starting newel
run
no. of balusters
=
distance between centerpoints of
balusters (and newels) throughout
the overall run (see Fig. 8-6)
run –
baluster square
thickness
distance from front
edge of tread to
center of first baluster
(see Fig. 8-5)
=
10" – is the same as 10" –
7
/
8
" = 9
1
/
8
"
1
3
/
4
"
2
10
1
/
2
"
3
= 3
1
/
2
"
2
tread
overhang
+
distance from top
of starting tread to bottom
of starting fitting
rake
rail
height
vertical
thickness
of rail
+
–
block
height
balcony
rail
height
balcony
rail
thickness
rake
rail
height
rake rail
thickness measured
on the plumb
=
–––
(
)