Installing Hardwood on Stairs with Newel Posts

Q: I have a question in regards to wood floor installation around the stair newel posts. Our flooring company is advising that it will look much cleaner if they cut the newel posts and install the floor under the newel posts, rather than installing the floor around the posts. I am worried this will weaken the staircase. What is the normal way to install around stairs?
Your expertise is greatly appreciated!!
Gina
A: Your worries are correct. This is the last thing you will want done. The posts need to remain attached for stability; however, there are some tricks you can use to make the stairs look great and still keep the posts in place.
Tad A., Director of our Install Program here at iFLOOR, mentioned his “Install 301,” which lends two techniques to use based on how close your posts will be to the stair nosing. The first trick would be to install quarter round around the base of the posts to cover the cuts made for the flooring around the posts. Once they are stained or painted to match the posts it will look like they have always been that way.
The second technique is a bit more advanced, but a very good installer will be able to do this. At the base of the post, using a small saw you can cut away small portions around the edge of the post to act as a lip. Leave a majority of the post in place to keep everything stable, then you can install the edges of flooring for the stair under the lip to cover the cuts and make the entire stair look great.
The use of the quarter round will be the easier and is the better choice if the posts are near the edge of your stairs. No matter what you choose, do NOT cut the posts for your stairs, but find an alternate approach to make the stairs look clean and professional.