Home
I need a new Staircase ?
Staircase Regulations
Staircase Plans
Space Saver Staircases
Spiral Staircases
Staircase Ideas
Standard Staircases
Openplan Staircases
Oak Staircases
Links

This glossary of staircase related terminology is by no means
exhaustive but does detail the most common and basic terms
used in staircase construction and balustrading installation.

Baluster/Spindle - the vertical member, plain or decorative,
that acts as the infill between the handrail and baserail (or
tread if cut string).

Balustrading - the collective name for the complete assembly
of handrails, baserails, newels, spindles and caps.

Bullnose Step - usually at the bottom of the stairs with one or
both ends of the step having a quarter circle design.

Closed String - a string with the face housed/trenched to
accommodate treads and risers so their profile cannot be seen.

Continuous Handrail - using straight lengths of handrail
connected to handrail fittings and ramps, the handrail flows over
the tops of newel turnings creating a continuous run of handrail.

Curtail Step - a decorative shaped step at the bottom of the
stairs usually accommodating the volute and volute newel
turning of the Continuous Handrail System.

Cut or Open String - a string with the upper edge cut away
to the shape of the treads and risers so that their profile can be
seen from the side.

Going - the going of a flight of stairs is the horizontal distance
between the face of the first and last risers. The individual
going of a step is measured from face of riser to face of riser
and for domestic use should be a minimum of 220mm.

Newel - accommodates the strings, handrails and treads/risers
of stairs.

Nosing - the edge of the tread projecting beyond the face of
the riser and the face of a cut string.

Pitch - the angle between the pitch line and the horizontal.

Pitch Line - the notional line connecting the nosings of all
treads in a flight of stairs.

Rake - the pitch of the stairs.

Rise - the rise of a flight is the vertical distance between the
floors or landings connected by the flight. The individual rise is
the vertical measurement from top of tread to top of tread.

Riser - the board that forms the face of the step. The
maximum individual rise for domestic flights is 220mm.

Staircase - the entire structure relating to a stair, comprising
steps, treads, risers, strings, balustrading, landings etc.

Stairway/Stairwell - the space/void provided for the stairs.

Step - the tread and riser combined.

String Margin - the distance between the top of the string
and the pitch line measured at 90° to the pitch line.

Tread - the top or horizontal surface of a step.

Wall String - the string of a staircase fixed flush with a wall.

Winders - are radiating steps narrower at one end that are
used to change the direction of a stairs through 90° or 180°.