Stairs Term Volute
A volute is a stair part that is installed at
the starting step in a set of stairs. The
volute forms a spiral handrail at the
beginning of the handrail
A volute is a stair part that is installed at
the starting step in a set of stairs. The
volute forms a spiral handrail at the
beginning of the handrail
Stairs Term Goose Neck
Goose neck is a stair part that is part of
the handrail. The goose neck is normally
used a stair landing that makes a turn
and requires a two or three step up in the
handrail.
Goose neck is a stair part that is part of
the handrail. The goose neck is normally
used a stair landing that makes a turn
and requires a two or three step up in the
handrail.
Stairs Term Riser
The stair riser is the vertical part of a set of
stairs. The riser is the kick board and is
normally between 7 1/2 inch and 8 inch in
height.
The stair riser is the vertical part of a set of
stairs. The riser is the kick board and is
normally between 7 1/2 inch and 8 inch in
height.
Stairs Term Rise
The rise in a set of stairs is the total sum of
the risers in a set of stairs. If a set of stairs
has 16 risers and each riser is 7 1/2
inches, the total rise of the set of stairs will
be a height of 120 inches
The rise in a set of stairs is the total sum of
the risers in a set of stairs. If a set of stairs
has 16 risers and each riser is 7 1/2
inches, the total rise of the set of stairs will
be a height of 120 inches
Stairs Term Newel Post
A newel post is the larger post that the
handrail is attached. Normally there will be
a starting newel post and intermediate
newel posts in a set of stairs.
A newel post is the larger post that the
handrail is attached. Normally there will be
a starting newel post and intermediate
newel posts in a set of stairs.
Stairs Term Tread
The stair tread is the horizontal part of a
set of stairs and is the step. The stair tread
is normally twelve inches in width or depth.
The stair tread is the horizontal part of a
set of stairs and is the step. The stair tread
is normally twelve inches in width or depth.
Stairs Term Run
The run of a set of stairs is the sum of the
length of all the stair treads. Normally the
tread cut on a stair stringer is 10 inches. If
a set of stairs has 15 treads, the stair run
will be 150 inches.
The run of a set of stairs is the sum of the
length of all the stair treads. Normally the
tread cut on a stair stringer is 10 inches. If
a set of stairs has 15 treads, the stair run
will be 150 inches.
Stairs Term Stringer
Stair Stringer refers to the pieces of lumber
that is cut out to form the actual stairs. The
stringers are normally cut out of 2 x 12's. A
normal set of residential stairs should have
at least three stringers. There are building
codes that dictate the min and max heights
and widths of risers and treads
Stair Stringer refers to the pieces of lumber
that is cut out to form the actual stairs. The
stringers are normally cut out of 2 x 12's. A
normal set of residential stairs should have
at least three stringers. There are building
codes that dictate the min and max heights
and widths of risers and treads
Stair Terms
Category Construction Glossary
Balcony - For stairs with an open concept
upper floor or landing, the upper floor is
functionally a balcony. For a straight flight of
stairs, the balcony may be long enough to
require multiple newels to support the length
of railing. In modern homes, it is common to
have hardwood floors on the first floor and
carpet on the second. The homeowner
should consider using hardwood nosing in
place of carpet. Should the carpet be
subsequently replaced with hardwood, the
balcony balustrade may have to be removed
to add the nosing.
upper floor or landing, the upper floor is
functionally a balcony. For a straight flight of
stairs, the balcony may be long enough to
require multiple newels to support the length
of railing. In modern homes, it is common to
have hardwood floors on the first floor and
carpet on the second. The homeowner
should consider using hardwood nosing in
place of carpet. Should the carpet be
subsequently replaced with hardwood, the
balcony balustrade may have to be removed
to add the nosing.
Flight - A flight is an uninterrupted series
of steps.
of steps.
Floating stairs - A flight of stairs is said to
be "floating" if there is nothing underneath.
The risers are typically missing as well to
emphasize the open effect. There may be
only one stringer or the stringers otherwise
minimized. Where building codes allow,
there may not even be handrails.
be "floating" if there is nothing underneath.
The risers are typically missing as well to
emphasize the open effect. There may be
only one stringer or the stringers otherwise
minimized. Where building codes allow,
there may not even be handrails.
Landing or platform - A landing is the area
of a floor near the top or bottom step of a
stair. An intermediate landing is a small
platform that is built as part of the stair
between main floor levels and is typically
used to allow stairs to change directions, or
to allow the user a rest. As intermediate
landings consume floor space they can be
expensive to build. However, changing the
direction of the stairs allows stairs to fit
where they would not otherwise, or provides
privacy to the upper level as visitors
downstairs cannot simply look up the stairs
to the upper level due to the change in
direction.
of a floor near the top or bottom step of a
stair. An intermediate landing is a small
platform that is built as part of the stair
between main floor levels and is typically
used to allow stairs to change directions, or
to allow the user a rest. As intermediate
landings consume floor space they can be
expensive to build. However, changing the
direction of the stairs allows stairs to fit
where they would not otherwise, or provides
privacy to the upper level as visitors
downstairs cannot simply look up the stairs
to the upper level due to the change in
direction.
Runner - Carpetting that runs down the
middle of the stairs. Runners may be directly
stapled or nailed to the stairs, or may be
secured by specialized bar that holds the
carpet in place where the tread meets the
riser.
middle of the stairs. Runners may be directly
stapled or nailed to the stairs, or may be
secured by specialized bar that holds the
carpet in place where the tread meets the
riser.
Spandrel - If there is not another flight of
stairs immediately underneath, the triangular
space underneath the stairs is called a
"spandrel". It is frequently used as a closet.
stairs immediately underneath, the triangular
space underneath the stairs is called a
"spandrel". It is frequently used as a closet.
Staircase - This term is often reserved for
the stairs themselves: the steps, railings and
landings; though often it is used
interchangeably with "stairs" and "stairway".
In the UK, however, the term "staircase"
denotes what in the U.S. is called "stairway",
but usually includes the casing - the walls,
bannisters and underside of the stairs or
roof above.
the stairs themselves: the steps, railings and
landings; though often it is used
interchangeably with "stairs" and "stairway".
In the UK, however, the term "staircase"
denotes what in the U.S. is called "stairway",
but usually includes the casing - the walls,
bannisters and underside of the stairs or
roof above.
Stairway - This term is often reserved for
the entire stairwell and staircase in
combination; though often it is used
interchangeably with "stairs" and "staircase".
the entire stairwell and staircase in
combination; though often it is used
interchangeably with "stairs" and "staircase".