Glossary of Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
angle newel - longest of the newel posts and is used at a landing where a stair changes directions and then continues to climb
balusters - posts or other vertical elements that hold up the handrail; fill in open area between the handrail and the tread or floor; usually spaced approx. 4" apart. crafted of either wood or metal.
balustrade - complete railing system, including newel posts, balusters and handrail
banister - structure formed by upright posts and handrail system
box newel - rectangular in cross section its entire length
brackets - thin decorative pieces attached under the return nosing of an open-string stair bull nose - rounded front trim
carriages - also called stair stringers, stair horses, or stair jacks; diagonal members that support the treads.
center-turned newel - has square ends but a lathe turning in the center
closed stairway - stairs with walls on both sides; use handrails instead of balustrade
code - regulations issued by state or local governing agencies detailing how stairways must be constructed to ensure optimum safety
cove moulding - molding placed under treads and landing treads
dogleg - staircase of two flights separated by a half landing
easement - fitting that curves in a vertical plane, used to change the angle of the handrail
fillet - thin strip that fills the grooved space between balusters in a handrail, sub-rail or shoe rail
finial - ornamental accent piece affixed to the top of a newel post
finished stairway - any of several interior stair types that have risers, treads, stringers, and a handrail or balustrade
fittings - sections of handrail used at the beginning and end of a balustrade or wherever handrail changes height or direction
flight of stairs - uninterrupted unit of steps (treads and risers) joining one landing to the next; may be straight, spiral, or curved
flutes - vertical grooves carved into wood surfaces, for decorative purposes only
gooseneck fitting - includes an easement and is used to change the handrail from the incline of the stair back to level, either at a landing or at the top of the stair
glue blocks - wood blocks affixed to underside of stair at a point where the tread and riser join; used to secure treads and risers together and prevent squeaks
handrail - rail runs parallel to the pitch of the stairs; held in place by balusters or brackets. The horizontal or inclined member that runs over the balusters and is supported by the newel posts.
headroom - vertical distance from lowest point of the ceiling or soffit directly above the stair to the nosing line, an imaginary diagonal connecting the top outside corners of treads
landing - a platform separating two sets of stairs; a resting place; often used to change directions of stairs
landing newel - shorter than an angel newel and is used at a landing or at the top of a star where the handrail changes from inclined to level
newel post - large post at the end of the handrail; a starting newel at the base of the stairs and a landing newel at turns. The vertical members, larger than balusters, that support the balustrade.
nosing - rounded front of the tread that projects beyond the face of the riser 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches.
open or mitered stringer - a stringer that is cut out for the treads and risers such that their profile can be seen from the side
open stairway - can be open on one or both sides, requiring a balustrade
pin-top newel - has a dowel-like pin turned at its top, used to attach a fitting
plowed handrail - has a wide groove cut in its underside and is used with square-top balusters
quarter-turn fitting - a level section of handrail used to make a right-angle turn
rail drop fitting - a curved fitting used as a decorative beginning or ending on a handrail
rail system - the balustrade; a complete rail system consists of handrail, newels, fittings, and balusters
rise - height of each step from the surface of one tread to the next
riser - describes the rise of one step; also a stair part: the vertical board of each step that is fastened to the carriages
run - horizontal distance traveled by a single tread; total run is the measured distance from the beginning of the first tread to the end of the last tread - the horizontal length of the entire stairway
shoe rail - a plowed rail that is used under square-end balusters when they don't sit directly on the treads
spindles - balusters; vertical sections placed between handrail and stair tread
spiral stairs - staircase which rises around a central cylinder
stairwell - framed opening in the floor that incorporates the stairs
starting newel - simply the first newel of the balustrade
starting step - the first read and riser at the bottom of a stair; usually a step that is curved on one or both ends
step - one unit of a staircase, made up of a riser and tread
stringboard - diagonal trim, not used to support the treads, that is nailed to the stair walls; also called skirtboards, backing stringers, or plain stringers
sub-rail - a thin rail attached to the underside of a handrail to make it more massive and allow for the use of square-top balusters
tread - both the horizontal distance from the face of one riser to the next, and the board nailed to the carriages that takes the weight of the foot.
turnout - a starting fitting that curves in a level plane before curving vertically up the stair
volute - sometimes called a wreath; a starting fitting, similar to a turnout, that scrolls into a tight circle
wall rail - usually simpler in design than the handrail; used where a stair runs along a wall and is attached to the wall with brackets
winder - wedge-shaped treads used in place of a landing when space is cramped and a turn is required in the stairway
