Staircases are a core architectural element in any multi-story home, but do you know all the parts of a staircase?
Understanding staircase terminology is more than just trivia. Knowing the proper names allows you to communicate effectively with contractors and tradespeople if you are building or renovating a set of stairs.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of common staircase components and their names. We’ll cover essential parts like treads, risers, and handrails. We’ll also go over less common terms such as balustrades and newel posts.
COMMON STAIRCASE PARTS: THE ESSENTIALS
Staircases, whether grand or simple, share some common components. Here’s a breakdown of the essential parts:
Treads: The Walking Surface
The tread is the part of the staircase you step on. Treads can be made from a range of materials, including wood, carpet, tile, and metal.
Risers: The Vertical Supports
The riser is the vertical board between each tread. Risers close the space between the treads and give structural support to the staircase.
Stringers: The Structural Backbone
The stringer, sometimes called a stair stringer, is a structural part that supports the treads and risers on either side.
Stringers can be open, meaning that the treads and risers are visible from the side, or closed, in which case they’re not.
Safety and support: handrails and balustrades
Handrails and balustrades are the parts of a staircase designed to keep people from falling and to provide a secure grip while ascending or descending.
Handrails: The gripping guide
The handrail is the rail that runs along the side of the staircase, and it’s there for you to hold onto as you go up or down the stairs.
Handrails come in all shapes and sizes and can be made of wood, metal, or composite materials.
Balusters and balustrades: The safety barrier
A baluster, sometimes called a spindle, is the vertical post that holds up the handrail.
The balustrade refers to the entire system of handrails and balusters working together.
The balusters and balustrade prevent people from tumbling off the side of the staircase.
Supporting structure and landings
Staircases rely on certain structural elements to provide safety and stability. Let’s take a look.
Newel posts: The anchors
The newel post is a large, decorative post that supports the handrail at the top and bottom of the staircase and at any intermediate landings. They’re often quite attractive and serve as a focal point for the staircase design.
Newel posts add stability to the entire handrail system, so they’re more than just pretty.
Landings: Intermediate platforms
A landing is a platform positioned between flights of stairs. Some staircases have no landings, while others incorporate one or more.
Landings provide a place to pause and rest as you climb, and they can also be used to change the direction of the staircase, such as in a switchback staircase.
Decorative elements and specialized terms
Once you get past the main structural components, you might want to learn about some of the more decorative or specialized parts of a staircase.
Nosing: The tread edge
The nosing is the rounded edge of the tread that hangs over the riser. The purpose of the nosing is to improve your grip on the stair and prevent you from slipping.
Winders: Turning steps
Winders are steps that are narrower on one side than the other. They’re used to change the direction of the staircase without having to put in a landing.
Volutes and finials: Decorative touches
A volute is a decorative, spiral-shaped flourish at the end of a handrail.
A finial is an ornamental flourish placed on top of a newel post or some other part of the staircase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the parts of stairs called?
Stairs are complex structures with multiple components. Key parts include the treads (the part you step on), risers (the vertical boards between the treads), stringers (the structural supports on either side), the handrail (for gripping), balusters (the vertical posts supporting the handrail), and the newel post (the main support at the bottom or top of the stairs).
What are the elements of a staircase?
A staircase comprises various elements working together. These elements include structural components like the stringers and treads, safety features like the handrail and balusters, and decorative features like the newel post and any moldings. The specific elements can vary depending on the style and design of the staircase.
What is the name of the stairs part?
That depends on which stairs part you’re talking about! Each component has a specific name, as mentioned above. Knowing the names of the parts can be useful when discussing repairs, renovations, or new construction with contractors.
What is the word for stair parts?
Collectively, you can refer to the individual pieces of a staircase as “stair parts,” “stair components,” or “staircase elements.” These terms encompass all the individual pieces that make up the complete staircase structure, from the treads and risers to the handrail and balusters.
Putting It All Together
Knowing the names for all the parts of a staircase isn’t just for carpenters. If you’re building a new house or renovating an old one, understanding staircase terminology can make it much easier to communicate with contractors and other professionals.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a solid foundation in staircase anatomy. To deepen your knowledge, you can do further research or consult with a building professional.