I was recently challenged with building a staircase
handrail as a finish subcontractor on a large remodeling
project. Built on a slab floor, the stair had a 180-
degree turn at a midpoint landing. The design called
for a railing to run up the left-hand side along the wall,
then turn the corner at the landing without a supporting
newel post. Above the landing,
the railing would rest on 11/4-
inch-square maple balusters,
which would provide limited strength. The clients had four
active children, so I knew the railing would be severely
tested for years to come. I doubted whether this transition
point would hold up without a newel of some sort.
Cantilevered