Terminology of Stair

2.
Terminology of stair
A stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs, or simply stairs, is a construction designed to

bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. Stairs
may be straight, round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles.
Special types of stairs include escalators and ladders. Some alternatives to stairs are elevators
(lifts in British English), stairlifts and inclined moving walkways as well as stationary inclined
sidewalks.
2.1 Stair Parts

Elements that make up a stair component or staircase.
-Handrails
-Stair Risers
-Spindle
-Stair Tread
-Stair Nosing
-Newal post
-Newal Cap
-Bottom Rail
-String
-Stairway landing and platform
These are the components that we put in together and we will have stair. Now let dive into
each part of these component and what is their function do.
1. Stairwell – this is the vertical space or shaft in a building where the staircase will (or
does) fit.
2. Newel Post – These are the sturdy vertical posts that are at the top and bottom of the
staircase. They go into the stair case itself and need to be strong enough for the banisters
or handrails to fit into to offer sufficient support and protection for people using the
stairs. Both the top and bottom are called Newel Posts, but they are often distinguished
from each other as they are fitted differently, hence we use “top newel” here. The Newel
Post is a structural element of the staircase and therefore will extend below the floor so
that it can be fixed to the floor joists. Typically they are 90mm x 90mm. Where the stair
railings or banister ends at a wall, a half newel can be used which gives the impression
that half the newel is embedded into the wall.
3. Newel Drop – For Newel Posts above landings the newel can extend below the level of
the ceiling below as a decorative effect; this is known as a “Newel Drop”. They are used
where there is an open landing and both the newel and the newel drop can be seen. If the
Newel Post extends below the ceiling and down to the floor below this is known as a
Newel Story, and will provide even more support to the staircase and landing above.
4. Newel Cap – (sometimes called a Finial) this is the decretive finished that is added to the
top of the Newel post. This can be a simple cap or more ornate carved ornaments, such as
balls, spikes, urns, buns, or a figure.
5. Stringer, String, Stringer Board – These are the structural supports that run along either
side of the stair case, often holding and supporting the treads and risers. The are several
notable types of String (The Stinger is usually 220mm wide and 32mm thick. The length
with depend on the Rise and Going).
6. Handrail or banister – This is the rail that goes up the staircase which people hold on to,
obviously! They are grooved out so that the spindles fit into the underside of them.
7. Spindles or Balusters – These are the vertical supports that drop down from the handrail
to the bottom rail. They are largely decorative, but they do stop things (and people!)
falling off the stair case, under the handrail. They can be square or turned to be more
appealing.
8. Bottom Rail – this is the rail that the bottom of the spindles fit into. This is not always
present or necessary. If there is no bottom rail the spindles will fit directly into the floor
on a landing or a tread on the stairs.
9. Treads – Treads are the horizontal pieces that you stand on, usually timber 22mm thick
but thicker if it is an open riser staircase. It should be constructed to the same
specifications of the floor, at least.
10. Risers – these are the, usually timber, parts that rise vertically from the back of one tread
to the front of the next tread. If they are timber they will typically be 9mm, but will not
always be there or do not need to be complete – see the types of staircase below.
2.2. Important of Stair terminology

1. Rise or Total Rise – This is the distance from one floor level to the one above that the
stair case will join.
2. Individual Rise or Rise Height – this is the distance from top of one tread to the top of the
tread above it.
3. Nosing Overhang or Nosing – This is where the tread above a riser overhangs it. In some
cases treads might not have a nosing, and in this case the total run will equal the sum of
the individual goings, otherwise it will not
4. Total Going or Run – this is the distance from the end of the staircase, the front of the
nosing overhang of the bottom stair to the back of the riser on the top stair.
5. Individual Going – This is the distance from the front of the nosing of one tread to the
front of the nosing of the step above it.
6. Pitch Line – This is a imagined, diagonal straight line down the staircase touching the
front of every tread.
7. Headroom – this is the vertical distance measured from the Pitch Line to the ceiling
above the staircase, or any other obstacle above it. This cannot be less than 2 meters.
2.3. More staircase terminology

1. Facia or Apron – this is the board that covers the gap between the ceiling and floor at the
edge of an exposed landing. (labeled 9 on above image)
2. Landings – this is the floor at the top or bottom of the stairs. The rooms lead of the
landing. Landings can also be used within the staircase, between flights for several
reasons:
Increase the run of the staircase, without reducing the pitch (steepness), if it is required
To allow the staircase to turn corners (see below).
In some countries there are limits on the length of flights stairs before a landing should be
included for domestic dwellings. There are rules in the building regulations got building that are
not domestic dwellings in the Regulations. Safety a landing can reduce the distance that a person
can fall, and structurally it may be more sound to include a landing to bear the required weight. It
can be very tiring to climb a continuous flight of stairs!
3. Return Nosing – This is the nosing of the tread that protrudes from the side of the
staircase beyond the string, generally into the hall way. These can only be found on the
outer, open string.
2.4. Landings and Windings:

There are a number of ways of “turning corners” with stairs. The choice that you have will be
restricted by the amount of space that you have and the style of stairs that you want.
Half turn landing

Quarter Space Landings
Split Landing
Kite Stair
winder stairs

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What are the main components of a stair?

What are some common types of landings?

2.

A stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs, or simply stairs, is a construction designed to

2.1 Stair Parts

2.2. Important of Stair terminology

2.3. More staircase terminology

2.4. Landings and Windings:

Half turn landing

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