Installation Guide

28
STEP B.7 – Install the Balcony Newel(s)
As noted in StairNote Six: Starting Newels and Handrail
Heights, local building code requirements should be
checked before you plan the height of a balustrade. Safety
and utility usually call for a balcony handrail height of at
least 36" for residential and 42" for commercial stairways.
See Step B.2 for detailed instructions on determining the
length of the balcony newel. Calculating the newel length
for a level balcony rail is easy: in over-the-post installations,
just subtract the level handrail thickness from the total
desired handrail height to obtain the length of the newel
body, not including the part of the newel that drapes down
below the balcony floor level. Do not include the top
dowel pin in newel length.
If the first balcony newel is to be draped and notched
against the last riser of the stairway, the distance from the
finished surface of the balcony floor to the top of the last
tread must be added for the total newel length. Plan to
mount one ne
w
el f
or each 8' of balcony run.
Traditionally, the baluster line on a balcony, like that of a
stairway, is found by aligning the front of the baluster
square with the balcony facia. Balcony newels should be
notched and anchored like starting/landing newels
(see Step B.3b).
S TEP
B.7
SECTION B
2
7
STEP B.6 – Install the Landing Newel(s)
The landing newel, like the starting newel, must be
positioned on the baluster line (Step B.1a). When your
stairway changes direction at a landing, the landing newel
must be positioned at the intersection of two baluster lines
(see Fig. 13-1).
The Crown Heritage System includes special landing newel
designs for both post-to-post and over-the-post stairways
that adapt to the various geometric requirements your
design may demand. Landing newels differ from starting
newels in the relative proportions of the bottom square
portion, the central carved or decorative portion, and the
portion to which the rail will be attached (“top square”).
Refer to the catalog for illustrations and dimensions of the
various newel types.
See Step B.2 for detailed instructions on determining the
length of the landing newel. To maintain consistent handrail
height on the second flight of steps when the rise and run
are the same, calculate the landing newel length like the
starting newel length for post-to-post installations or starting
newels using a starting easing. When the handrail of the
first flight begins with a volute or a turnout, the landing
ne
wel length must be calculated the same as the length of a
starting newel positioned on the first step at the face of the
second riser.
Once the landing newel has been sized and notched, mount
it to the stair using the same methods and hardware as
described for starting newels.
Up
Landing
Newels
SECTION B
S TEP
B.6
FIG. 13-1 - Landing newel location