Stair Terms (Glossary)

Here a Glossary of Stair Terms for your information.

 Select a Letter:        A - B - C - F - G - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - W

Baluster
A narrow vertical member which helps support the handrail.
Balustrade System
A Collective term which refers to the newels, balusters and handrail on a particular stairway, also commonly know as a Banister.
Box Newel
A large, square hollow newel used in a post-to-post balustrade system, this type of post is used in Craftsman and Mission systems.
Box Stair
A stairway which is fully enclosed by walls and routed stringers on both sides.
 
 
Brackets
Also referred to as stringers brackets. Decorative pieces fastened to the outside of a stringer below the tread or tread end
Bullnose
Edge details usually used on tread and landings.
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Cap
Used in an over-the-post balustrade system. The part of the fitting which widens in order to sit on a newel.
Circular Stairway
A curved stairway which is mounted on stringers rather than a central pole.
Cove Molding
A trim piece that is usually installed under treads, landing tread, and wall cap.
 
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Fillet
Strips, generally flat, which fill the plow between square top balusters on plowed handrail and shoe rail.

Freestanding
A stairway which is not supported by walls. Open underneath.
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Gooseneck
A handrail fitting consisting of an up-easing, a vertical rail drop and a level cap. It is used at a landing or balcony to raise the rake handrail to the height of the balcony handrail.
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Landing Tread
Narrow tread nosing situated above the top riser or along the upper edge of a balcony or landing. This gives the appearance of a tread at the top of the stairway.
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Left Hand
See STAIR DIRECTION.
Level Quarter Turn
A level handrail fitting which turns by 90 degrees.
Level Rail
Handrail which runs level along a landing or balcony.
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    Miter In
    A piece of handrail mitered onto a longer section of handrail to provide a return to a wall.
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    Newel Post
    The major support for a balustrade system. Newels are larger in diameter than balusters and are located at the bottom and top of a stairway or at a turn in the handrail.

    Nosing
    The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond the face of the riser.
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    Opening Cap
    A handrail fitting at the start of a level balustrade system.
    Open Stair
    A stairway not boxed in by walls on one or both sides.
    Overhand Easing
    A handrail fitting which connects a rake handrail with a level handrail without the use of a gooseneck.
    Over-The-Post
    A balustrade system which utilizes fittings to go over newel posts for an unbroken continuous handrail.
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    Picket
    See BALUSTER.
    Platform
    The landing which is the top tread on a spiral stairway. Intermediate landings are also often referred to as platforms.
    Plow
    The routed portion of a handrail or shoe rail used for the inserting of square balusters. The gaps left between balusters are covered with fillet.

    Plumb
    Perfectly vertical, perpendicular with the floor.
    Post-To-Post
    Balustrade system in which the handrail is not continuous. The handrail is lagged into the face of a square-top newel.
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    Rail
    The Hand Rail of a stair system.
     
    Rail Fittings
    Fittings are used in an over-the-post system for a continuous handrail appearance through turns and changes in elevation.
    Rake
    The angle of ascent of a stairway. This is determined by the rise and run.
    Return Nosing
    Tread nosing applied to the outside of an open tread to cover end grain.
    Returned End
    A handrail fitting without a cap, which does not incorporate the use of a newel at the end of the balustrade.
    Rise
    The vertical measurement from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread.
    Riser
    The vertical component of a step which, along with the stringers, supports the treads.
    Rosette
    A small, decorative piece of wood used where a handrail dies into a wall.
    Run
    The horizontal distance covered by the entire stairway.
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    Shoe Rail
    A piece running along the floor or atop a routed stringer which is plowed for the insertion of balusters and fillet.

     
    Skirt Board
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    Spindle
    Same as Baluster
    Solid Tread
    A solid oak step for a wood step instead of carpet or having tread ends with carpet. 
     
    Spiral Stairway
    A curved stairway which is mounted on a central pole rather than on stringers.
    Stair Direction
    Either right-or-left-hand. Determined by the turn a stairway makes when facing it from the bottom.
    Stairwell
    See WELL OPENING
    Starting Easing
    A handrail fitting which is used at the bottom of a stairway with a starting newel.

    Starting Newel
    The newel used at the bottom of a stairway.

    Stringers
    The supporting members which run the length of the stairway on which treads, risers and balustrade are mounted.
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    Tandem Cap
    A straight level handrail fitting with a newel cap. Tandem caps generally are used on newels in long stretches of balcony handrail.

    Tread
    The horizontal component of a step upon which one walks.

    Tread End
    A piece on the side of the step where the balusters are mounted
     
    Turnout
    A handrail fitting used on a starting newel which curves away from the stairway.
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    Up Easing
    A handrail fitting which joins two handrails or fittings at different angles in a graceful, pleasing manor.
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    Volute
    A handrail fitting used on a starting newel which turns away from the stairway in a circular fashion.
    Volute Box
    A radius box install at the bottom of the first step when using a volute
     
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    Wall Rail
    A handrail which is mounted on a wall and supported by wall rail brackets rather than newels or balusters.

     
    Wall Rail Brackets
    Metal supports for wall rail.
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    • Wall Tread
    Tread that goes on the opposite side of the balustrade tread end.
    Wood Plug
    A small circular piece of wood used for a finished appearance and covering drilled holes on newels, handrails and treads.
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