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Stair Terminology
| Balusters: | Vertical posts which help support the handrail and comprise an integral design element in the formation of the balustrade. |
| Balustrade: | Refers to the collection of newels, balusters and handrail on a staircase. |
| Box Newel: | A large, square, solid or hollow newel used in post-to-post balustrade systems. |
| Bullnose: | Used as a starting step - a tread and riser assembly that has one or both sides finished in a radius. |
| Cap: | A widened area of a fitting that typically sits on the newel post in an over-the-post balustrade system. |
| Fillet: | Strips which are used to fill the plowed spaces between square top balusters on plowed handrail and shoe rail. |
| Fittings: | Specially designed stair parts which provide a smooth transition during handrail height changes or handrail directional changes. Examples: volutes, turnouts, starting easings, and goosenecks. |
| Gooseneck: | A handrail fitting used at a landing or balcony to complete a smooth transition between varying heights. A gooseneck consists of an up-easing, a vertical rail drop and a level cap. |
| Handrail: | The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top of the balusters and is supported by newel posts. |
| Landing Newel: | A newel post positioned at a landing or balcony. |
| Level Quarterturn: | A level handrail fitting which turns 90 degrees. |
| Newel Posts: | Larger in diameter than balusters, newel posts form the major support of the balustrade system. Newel posts are located at the bottom and top of a staircase, and positioned at turns and support positions for the balcony rail. |
| Nosing: | The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond the face of the riser. |
| Over-the-Post: | A balustrade system which utilizes fittings to smoothly transition over newel posts forming a fluid line of continuous handrail. |
| Plow: | A routed bottom section of the handrail or shoerail used for inserting square top balusters. The gaps between the balusters are covered with fillet. |
| Post-to-Post: | A balustrade system which features handrail that runs between finial-topped newel posts that project above the rail at specified intervals. |
| Rake: | The slope or angle of the staircase. The angle of ascent is determined by the rise and run. |
| 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 in conjunction with the stringers, supports the treads. |
| Rosette: | A decorative piece of wood which ends the handrail into the wall. |
| Run: | The horizontal distance measured by the entire stairway. |
| Shoe Molding: | A quarter round molding strip used to attractively finish the bottom of the starting step where the riser meets the floor. |
| Shoe Rail: | A molding piece running along the floor of the landing or balcony which is plowed for the insertion of balusters and fillet and provides a professional finish. |
| Starting Newel: | The first newel used at the bottom of a staircase. |
| Starting Step: | The first tread and riser at the bottom of the staircase. |
| Stringers: | A supporting structure which runs the length of the stairway and supports the treads, risers, and balustrade system. |
| Tread: | The horizontal member of the staircase that forms the portion of the stair upon which one walks. |
| Tread Brackets: | A decorative molding which is fastened to the outside of the stringer. |
| Volute: | A handrail fitting which is typically used on a starting newel and curves away from the stair in a circular manner. |