What is the horizontal area between stairs called?
The horizontal area connecting one flight of stairs to another flight of stairs – also called landing. A framed wall slightly above the noses of the stair treads with its top running parallel with the incline of the stair resulting in a closed stair – also called a pony wall or stub wall.
What is the bottom of a flight of stairs called?
The bottom of the flight of stairs is usually referred to as a bottom landing, while the top of a flight of stairs is commonly referred to as a top landing. How do I start a successful farm?
What are the names for the parts of stairs?
What are the Names for the Parts of Stairs? 1 Risers. The back part of the step is the riser. 2 Treads. 3 Swell Step. 4 Balusters. 5 Newel Posts. More items
What do you call the room under the stairs?
The space under the stairs - frequently used as a closet - is called a ‘spandrel’. Some are large enough to be ‘walk-in’ are are often used as an extra W.C. PsBattle: This secret room under a staircase. We used to just call it the cupboard-under-the-stairs.
Where is the base rail on a staircase?
The base rail is the board at the bottom of the guardrail that is located beneath the balusters and on top of the stringer. The base rail runs up the staircase and is supported at each end by a newel post.
What is a riser in stairs?
A riser is the vertical part of the stair between each tread. Stairs with risers are called closed tread stairs. To give a staircase a more modern look, it can be built without risers. This open riser style provides the appearance of a larger space.
What is a gooseneck on a staircase?
Gooseneck: what is a gooseneck? A gooseneck is part of the staircase handrail that is used to join a handrail that runs parallel with the stringer to a higher handrail on a landing or balcony. A gooseneck is commonly used when the staircase changes directions.
What is a tread on a staircase?
A tread is the horizontal part of a staircase that extends from the front edge of the stair nosing to the riser. It serves as the walking surface of the stair that you step on when climbing up or down the stairs. Below are a few common tread types used for prefabricated industrial stairs and bolted access stairs.
What is a baluster in a guardrail?
A baluster is a the vertical post onto which the handrail is affixed. It is usually a part of the guardrail system. These pillars or columns are usually decorative in design and are also referred to as the spindle.
What is a guardrail on a stair?
A guardrail is a barrier system erected on an unprotected side of a stair that protects people from falling. The guardrail can be attached directly to the stringer or to the treads.
What is a bullnose on stairs?
A bullnose is another type of feature step at the bottom of the stairs. Like a curtail, it is also wider than the other steps and rounded. However, the bullnose stops at the front edge of the newel post and has a much smaller radius than a curtail.
What is the back part of a step?
The back part of the step is the riser. Risers are the vertical pieces at the back of each step that keeps your toe from going any further. Some stairs do not have risers. When they are used, they determine the height of the step.
What is a baluster on stairs?
Image Credit: Robin Krauss/iStock/Getty Images. Balusters, also known as spindles, are the thin poles that go from the tread to the handrail.
What is a handrail on stairs?
Image Credit: David Sacks/Digital Vision/Getty Images. The handrail is the rail that you place your hand on as you climb the stairs. The handrail can either be attached to the top of the balusters and newel posts or directly to a wall. Advertisement.
What is spiral staircase?
Spiral staircase. While steps are used almost everyday, most people give little thought to the fact that they are actually made up of several parts. While not every set of stairs has every part, the parts work together to provide stability and strength.
What is a swell step?
The swell step is many times larger. Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images. The swell step is the first step on the stairs. It can also be called the starter step. It is often larger than the rest of steps. Advertisement.
What is the rail that goes up the stairs?
Handrail or banister – This is the rail that goes up the staircase which people hold on to, obviously! They are grooved out so that the spindles fit into the underside of them. Spindles or Balusters – These are the vertical supports that drop down from the handrail to the bottom rail.
What is a riser in a staircase?
Risers – these are the , usually timber, parts that rise vertically from the back of one tread to the front of the next tread. If they are timber they will typically be 9mm, but will not always be there or do not need to be complete – see the types of staircase below.
What is a bullnose tread?
Bullnosse Step or Bullnose Tread – this is where the bottom step protrudes beyond the newel post. This leaves a step at the bottom of the staircase before the String starts. A Double Bullnose refers to a staircase that is not against a wall and there for there is a bullnose at both ends of the starting step.
What is a stringer board?
Stringer, String, Stringer Board – These are the structural supports that run along either side of the stair case, often holding and supporting the treads and risers. The are several notable types of String (The Stinger is usually 220mm wide and 32mm thick. The length with depend on the Rise and Going):
What is the bottom rail of a spindle?
They can be square or turned to be more appealing. Bottom Rail – this is the rail that the bottom of the spindles fit into. This is not always present or necessary. If there is no bottom rail the spindles will fit directly into the floor on a landing or a tread on the stairs.
How far from pitch line to obstruction above?
In order to comply with the building regulations, the headroom (the distance from the Pitch Line to any obstruction above) must be at least 2 meters. There is a relaxation of this rule for loft conversions as the roof is likely to be sloping above the staircase.
What is a quarter space landing?
Quarter Space Landings – These are landing where the width and length are the same as the width of the stairs. The outgoing flight generally leaves from 90° to the upcoming flight, and there can be two out going flights, creating a ‘T’ effect in the staircase. Example of a quarter landing in a staircase.
What is a staircase?
A staircase is a core architectural design feature that sits at the heart of a property. While styles and trends have come and gone, the basic design of a staircase has stood the test of time and little has changed over the centuries. As well as serving a functional purpose, a staircase can make a statement and cement the character of a building.
What is the purpose of a staircase?
As well as serving a functional purpose, a staircase can make a statement and cement the character of a building. Each decision over style will make a visual impact, from the choice of material, to whether it’s an open or closed string, the shape of the spindles and newel posts and the use of decorative moulding.
What is stair nosing?
Stair nosing - Stair nosing is used in most staircases and is legally required in certain circumstances, such as public buildings. It is normally part of the tread; however sometimes it’s thin strips of wood, which are placed on the edge of each step to help make the edge of each stair more visible and less slippery.
What is a closed string staircase?
In a closed string staircase, the edges of the steps will be hidden. In an cut or open string staircase, the side profile of the steps will be visible or even overhang the string.
Where is a Newel post cut in half?
Half newel post – These are often found on landings where the staircase meets a wall and are basically a newel post cut in half. Landing/Landing return – This is the area immediately at the top of the staircase (landing), or part way up where a change of direction in the staircase occurs (landing return) which may be either a quarter ...
What is string capping?
String Capping – This is a mould that is used to cover the top of the string nearest to the wall. For more information about a bespoke staircase for your project, call our customer services team on 01722 337040 or email info@salisburyjoinery.com.
Where are newels on stairs?
Newel posts - Newels are the large post found at the foot and at the top of any flight of stairs. They can also be found at key junctures of a staircase, for example where there is a change of direction. They come in a range of styles, including box newels (which are box shape) and turned newels (which are curved).
What is a framed wall above the noses of stair treads?
A framed wall slightly above the noses of the stair treads with its top running parallel with the incline of the stair resulting in a closed stair – also called a pony wall or stub wall.
What is skirtboard on a staircase?
A trimboard running with the rake, pitch or incline of the stair against the wall on the closed side of the staircase. While usually nonstructural, skirtboard protects the drywall surface and adds to the décor of the staircase.
What is a stair frame?
A stair framed so that you cannot see the treads and risers from the side of the stair. Most often a knee wall is used in this situation, but a half wall or even a full wall may be in place.
Parts of a Staircase: A Guide to Stair Part Terminology
A staircase is made up of different components that function together and are common from one stairway to another. Some designs incorporate common parts to form uniquely shaped stairs or arrangements. In this section, we’ll identify what the different parts of a staircase are called and take a look at their purposes.
Typical Residential Staircase Dimensions
The typical residential staircase dimensions have only been consistently regulated in most areas of North America since the 1940s. Although the IRC and its minimum safety regulations are accepted in much of North America today, there are still some areas with unique codes, and others with none.
Conclusion
Building stairs is a specialized component of construction. Most carpenters and DIYers can build them, although many prefer to leave it to those who have chosen to specialize in stair construction. The terminology used to identify the different parts of stairs may be confusing as it is often shared with other facets of construction.