Glossary Of Staircase Terms - R To Z

A ledge cut along one edge of a piece of material.

Vertical measurement

The vertical member of a staircase, located between treads (including the bottom floor).

Any baluster that has rounded ends for fitting.

The horizontal measurement of staircase length.

The piece of trim material installed between the stringer and a wall.

A newel post that is bolted to the house framing.

Stairs that rise in a spiral, usually made from manufactured kits. Spiral stairs provide limited access and should never be used as a primary staircase.

A metal support fastened to the wall that is then attached to the handrail.

The framed cut-out in a floor that provides access to a staircase.

A staircase that rises in a straight line from bottom to top.

The structural support members that the treads are mounted to. Also called a carriage.

The vertical distance through which stairs must cross from finished floor to finished floor.

The horizontal distance the stairs cover from the face of the top riser to that of the bottom riser.

The horizontal member of the stair on which one steps. The nosing is technically part of the tread.

The vertical distance from one tread to the next.

The horizontal distance from the face of one riser to the face of an adjacent riser.

U-Shaped stairs are also know as switchback stairs as they make a 180 degree turn.

A less frequently used staircase, usually built for access to an attic or basement.

The handrail attached to the wall in an enclosed stairwell.

An "L" shaped staircase that uses wedge-shaped treads to make a sweeping 90 degree turn. Occupies less space than a traditional "L" shaped staircase.