We are looking to renovate a 1970s staircase. It is the usual style from that time - painted white wood with a darker wood bannister. We would like it done in oak.
I've had a couple of joiners in to look at it, both of whom have presented different solutions...
One suggested replacing the top 90% of the newel posts with solid oak posts but cladding the bottom 10% with oak panels to avoid damaging its structural integrity.
The other joiner said that when you do this, there is not a lot holding the replacement newel post in place and a heavy shove could break it off. Instead, he recommended leaving the existing newel post in place and cladding it completely.
Can anyone suggest which approach would be best?
I've had a couple of joiners in to look at it, both of whom have presented different solutions...
One suggested replacing the top 90% of the newel posts with solid oak posts but cladding the bottom 10% with oak panels to avoid damaging its structural integrity.
The other joiner said that when you do this, there is not a lot holding the replacement newel post in place and a heavy shove could break it off. Instead, he recommended leaving the existing newel post in place and cladding it completely.
Can anyone suggest which approach would be best?