When you consider upgrading your staircase, it is helpful to know what the different parts of a staircase are called. That way you can explain what you have and identify what you would like to change.
This glossary and the associated image(s) will help you with common terms. Don’t worry if it seems confusing, your Re-Stair consultant will help you sort out exactly what you need.
Basic Staircase Components
Stair Steps
Flight The series of stairs between the one floor or landing and the next.
Landing The area of floor at the top or bottom of a staircase. A landing is also the small platform between two flights of stairs, usually used to change the direction of the stairs.
Nosing The portion of the tread that hangs over the riser.
Risers – The vertical portion of the stair that your toe may touch when you are standing on the tread going upstairs. These are usually carpeted or painted.
Stringers – The support portion of the staircase that the treads rest upon. When the stringers are correctly configured, the space between each tread is consistent.
Treads The portion of the stair that your foot lands on. This can be carpeted or wood or a combination of the two.
Winder Treads that are wider on one side than the other to allow for a curve in the staircase.
Safety Railing
Balusters or spindles The vertical support between the handrail and the tread or lower rail that fills in the space between the newel posts. These can be plain or very decorative.
Banister or Handrail The part of the railing that your hand rests on when going up or down the stairs. This comes in two configurations: Post-to-Post or Continuous. In Post-to-Post configurations, the banister stops at each newel post. In Continuous configurations, the newel posts are under the banister.
Lower Rail The rail that runs parallel to the banister. The balusters or posts fit into the banister at the top and the lower rail at the bottom. Not all staircase configurations use a lower rail.
Newel The posts that connect to the floor and provides the structural stability for the banister or handrail. These are placed evenly to provide support along the entire rail system. In some stair systems, the banister dead ends at each newel post. In others, the newel is under the banister, which is one continuous piece.
Wall Rail Used when a railing runs against the wall and is attached to the wall with brackets.
Decorative Stair components
Ball Top Newel Newel post that is finished with a decorate ball on top.
Brackets Decorative pieces used on the skirt boards and stair strings. Typically, these are carved or scrolled and made of the same wood as the stair system.
closed stringers Staircase configuration where the edges of the treads and the strings are not visible.
Cove Molding Decorative molding used to finish the space under treads and against the riser or under the landing nose.
Dowel Top Newel Newel post that is designed for the banister to sit on top. The banister connects to the newel post with a dowel connection.
Gooseneck rail A curved portion of the banister that transitions a significant drop in handrail height.
Half Newel A newel post that is flush with the wall. It protrudes from the wall only half as much as other newel posts in the system.
landing nose The portion of the landing that overhangs the stair below.
left hand volute Decorative portion of banister that spirals to the left at the end of the banister – usually at the lower part of the banister and is supported by newels and/or spindles.
right hand volute Decorative portion of banister that spirals to the right at the end of the banister – usually at the lower part of the banister and is supported by newels and/or spindles.
Rosette Decorative piece applied between the banister and the wall to finish the look.
Quarter Turn No Cap Banister that curves with the stairs without a stop at a newel post.
Stringer skirt board Visible in open staircase configurations, this board finishes the edges of the staircase under the treads. It is cut in a zig zag pattern to accommodate the placement of each tread.
tread with returned end Tread that is visible from the side of the staircase and has a portion that overhangs on the side.