The Framework of a Formal Staircase: Learn How to Buy Wood Stair Parts like a Specialist
Whether you have a spanking new house and you want to put in a platform deck in the yard or you have a Estate house and would like to renovate the focal stairway, it is essential to know about the many sections of a stairway. As they say, knowledge is power and if you are at ease with your staircase parts, then you know what to shop for, and it is a good deal easier to purchase the supplies you want at a cost you want to pay for it.
Stair Parts
Stair Tread – the horizontal stair part that you step onto.
Stair Riser – the back vertical section or “kicker” connecting each step.
Stair Tread Nosing – an edge part of the tread that projects on top of the stair riser beneath. If it is there, this indicates that horizontally, the total “run” span of the stairs is not solely the sum of the tread lengths, the treads actually overlap each other slightly
Bullnose – the first step is labeled the starting step or bullnose. The first step in a formal hallway, for example, would be wider than the rest and provides an attachment area for the banister and stairway newel post.
Winders – smaller steps, occasionally angular that are used to vary course such as in a circular or spiral stairway.
Stringer, Stringer board or sometimes just String – a structural stairway parts that props up the stair risers and treads
Trim – natural wood baseboard, quarter round or crown floor trip that puts the finial touches on the stairway, and is frequently done in a way that goes together with the stairways with the rest of the house.
Balustrade Parts
The balustrade is the entire structure of railings that includes balusters and railing.
Railing – Also identified as the banister or handrail. It is the topmost part of the system that is meant for hand holding and security. There are different types of fittings for the railings including easings, goosenecks, turnouts and volutes.
Baluster – the straight up posts that keep up the railing. In America, these are also called spindles. This is generally the most complex part of any staircase where the balusters are hand carved, wrought iron, stained wood, ornately turned, or sporting a unique paint finish.
Newel – Commonly referred to as a stair newel, these are the largest columns that hold up the handrail.
The two different variations of railing systems are over-the-post (also known as continuous) rails and post-to-post (also called newel-to-newel) rails. Continuous hand rails run “continuosly” over the newels. The handrail in a post-to-post configuation, on the other hand, terminates at each newel.
Further expressions that could be helpful while you are fixing up your staircase project:
• Flight – an continual grouping or series of stairway steps
• Staircase – the stair system in it’s entirety including the railing or banister, balusters, steps and box newels.
• Stairway – the entire staircase and stairwell in total. This term is regularly interchanged with stairs and staircase.
• Runner – the floor covering that is laid on top of the step and risers of the staircase.
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Tags: architecture, decorating, home improvement, interior design