General Terms Balustrade Newels Rails Treads Mouldings

General Terms

Landing A flat level of the stairs between floors
Open Stair A stair that has part of its side (Stringer) open
Pitch Stair angle (Rise/Run)
Rake Stair angle (Rise/Run)
Rise The height of a riser
Riser Vertical part of a step
Run The horizontal part of the step
Stringer The side area of the staircase
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Balustrade

The entire rail system, composed of the rail, newels and balusters

Baluster A picket that helps supports the railing
Left Hand A Balustrade on the left hand side (ascending) of the stair
Over the Post A Balustrade where the railing is continuous over the newels
Post-To-Post A Balustrade where the railing isn't continuous, instead the railing is attached to box newels
Right Hand A Balustrade on the Right hand side (ascending) of the stair
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Newels

A post used to anchor the handrail found at the start of the railing and on landings and balconies.

Angle newel A type of newel used when the stair/railing changes direction. Also the longest type of Newel
Box Newel A square Newel used in a post-to-post system
Cap A fitting used on top of newels in Over the Post Balustrades
Dowel A cylindrical part at the base of some types of starting newels
Landing Newel A newel used in upper levels, usually joining angled railing and level railing.
Starting Newel A newel used at the bottom of a staircase
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Rails

Gooseneck A rail fitting used to sharply raise the rail and attach it to level rail.
Level Rail A section of rail parallel to the floor used in landings and balconies
Plow The section in the rails in which the Balusters are inserted.
Rail Bolt The fastener used to attach hand rails to fittings, newels and walls
Rosette A decorative/anchoring element used where the rail runs into the wall
Shoe Rail A flat portion of rail along the floor of a landing or balcony. There is usually a recessed area for Balusters to fit.
Sub Rail A smaller rail beneath the handrail with insertion points for the balusters.
Wall Rail A rail attached to the wall with metal brackets, usually smaller than other rails
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Treads

The horizontal part of the step

Brackets (Tread Brackets) Decorative elements attached to the side of an open stringer
Landing tread The top tread of a stair that is level with the top floor
Nosing The part of the tread that goes beyond the riser
Return Nosing A moulding used on the edge of a tread on the open side of a stair
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Mouldings

Cove Moulding A moulding that goes under the tread in front of the riser
Shoe Moulding A moulding that goes between the floor and first riser
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