Whether you’re planning a home renovation, building a new staircase, or simply curious about the anatomy of your stairs, knowing the names of the different parts is essential. It helps you communicate effectively with contractors, designers, and even when browsing for materials.
Staircases come in all shapes and sizes, built from a variety of materials, from classic wood to modern metal and glass. But regardless of the style, they all share common components.
This guide will break down the key parts of a staircase, defining each component and explaining its function. So, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just want to impress your friends with your knowledge of “stairs part names”, read on!
Core structural components: Treads, risers, and stringers
Staircases have three key components that make up their structure: the treads, the risers, and the stringers. Here’s a closer look at each.
Stair treads: The walking surface
The treads are the horizontal boards you step on when you’re using the stairs. Treads are most often made of wood, but they can also be metal or composite materials. Wood stair treads are usually surfaced and sanded to a finished thickness of around 1 1/32 inches.
Treads often have a bullnose, or nosing, which is a rounded edge that sticks out a bit beyond the riser below. This overhang makes each step a little safer and more comfortable.
Stair risers: The vertical backing
The risers are the vertical boards that go between each tread, closing the space between the treads and adding to the staircase’s structure. Standard risers are about 3/4 inch thick and 7 1/2 inches wide.
In some staircases, called open-rise staircases, the risers are absent. This gives the staircase a more open and modern look, but it’s important to make sure open-rise stairs meet building codes.
Stair stringers: The supporting framework
The stringers are the structural parts that support the treads and risers. They run along the sides of the staircase, providing essential support. Stringers are usually about 3/4 inch thick, but they can be 1, 2, or even 3 inches thick, depending on how much weight they need to support and how the staircase is designed.
There are two main types of stringers: cut and closed. Cut stringers have notches cut out to hold the treads and risers. Closed stringers are solid, and the treads and risers are attached to the surface of the stringer.
The Balustrade System: Balusters, Newel Posts, and Handrails
The balustrade is the railing system of the staircase. It’s made up of the balusters (or spindles), the newel posts, and the handrails.
Balusters: Vertical Supports
Balusters are the vertical posts that support the handrail. They’re a key element of the balustrade, contributing to both safety and aesthetics.
Wood balusters are typically between 31 and 42 inches tall, while iron balusters are almost always 44 inches long.
Balusters can be made of wood, iron, or other materials, each offering a different look. Local building codes often dictate spacing requirements for balusters, typically requiring spacing that prevents a 4″ sphere from passing through.
Newel Posts: Anchoring the Balustrade
Newel posts are the large, structural posts that anchor the balustrade at the top and bottom of the staircase, and at landings. They provide stability to the handrail and balustrade system.
Box newel posts are often constructed from 3/4″ thick solid hardwood.
Newel posts come in various designs, including box newels, turned newels, and more decorative options.
Handrails: The Gripping Surface
The handrail is the railing that runs along the top of the balustrade, providing a gripping surface for safety and support.
Goosenecks are curved sections of handrail that transition between different heights. Volutes are decorative, spiraled ends of handrails, often found at the bottom of a staircase.
Additional staircase components and terminology
Staircases can be complex structures with lots of different parts. Here’s a quick rundown of some additional components you might encounter when planning or renovating a staircase.
- Landings: These are intermediate platforms in a staircase. Landings give you a place to pause for a rest as you climb, and they also allow the staircase to change direction.
- Base rail: The base rail is a molding that runs horizontally along the floor, providing support for the balusters.
- Fascia: This is a decorative board that covers the visible edges of the staircase’s framework.
- Curtail and bullnose steps: A curtail step is a decorative first step on a staircase, often rounded or curved. Bullnose steps are similar but have a rounded edge that sticks out a bit beyond the riser.
- Winders: These are steps that are wider on one end than the other. Winders let a staircase turn without using a landing.
- Finial: A finial is a decorative piece placed on top of a newel post or some other part of the staircase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the word for stair parts?
There isn’t one single word to describe all stair parts collectively. Instead, we use the term “stair components” or “stair parts” to refer to the individual pieces that make up a staircase. It’s a general term encompassing everything from the treads and risers to the handrails and balusters.
What is the stair side trim called?
The trim along the side of a staircase is typically called “skirting board” or “stringer trim.” Skirting board is the more general term for trim along the base of a wall, while stringer trim specifically refers to the trim that covers the stringer (the structural side support) of the stairs. Sometimes it can also be called a “moulding,” depending on its profile.
What is staircase terminology?
Staircase terminology can be extensive! Here’s a quick rundown of some key terms:
- Tread: The horizontal part you step on.
- Riser: The vertical part between treads.
- Stringer: The structural support on the side of the stairs.
- Handrail: The railing you hold for support.
- Baluster: The vertical posts supporting the handrail.
- Newel Post: A larger, decorative post at the start or end of a railing.
Putting It All Together
Staircases may seem simple, but they’re composed of many different parts. Treads, risers, stringers, balusters, newel posts, and handrails are all essential elements of a typical staircase.
Understanding the names for the different parts of a staircase will help you communicate effectively, whether you’re a homeowner describing a needed repair, an architect designing a new build, or a builder executing a plan.
Refer back to this guide anytime you need a refresher on staircase terminology. Knowing the right words will help you discuss and plan staircase projects with confidence.