A stairway can liven up any drab home’s décor with a splash of style and panache. But if you are planning to have a new staircase installed in your home, it is probably a good idea to understand the terminology associated with stairs. As with any home improvement specialty, staircase companies have their own jargon and nomenclature that can be confusing if you aren’t familiar with the right terminology. So here, for your reference, is a handy glossary of the most common terms used in the design and building of staircases.
- Balusters—Balusters, which can come in iron or wood styles, are also sometimes referred to as spindles. These are the supports for stair railings that are also simply referred to or thought of as posts that stand vertically. Wooden balusters, with softwood or hardwood options, tend to be cheaper but less resilient than iron balusters. When determining what you are looking for, consider not only style but also how much damage and wear and tear the balusters are likely to go through.
- Handrails—Handrails go by a variety of names including railings or bannisters, but no matter what you call them the purpose is always the same. A handrail is meant to be held by the person ascending or descending the stairs to provide stability for the individual as they walk. Handrails can come in a variety of styles, including a single or double railing, and wooden railings particularly can be intricately carved works of art that can add an aesthetically pleasing charm to your home’s décor.
- Newel Posts—These posts are similar to balusters. They are posts that are affixed to handrails vertically to give them support. However, a newel post extends above the hand railing for a larger decorative top which can be highly decorative and embellished greatly by a skilled artisan who can carve this piece into a variety of patterns and styles.
- Stair Risers—These are the vertical parts of the stairs that determine the height of the stairs. Made of wood, these vary depending on how high you wish your stairs to be.
- Stair Treads—These are what you traditional think of as the steps of a staircase because they are the part of the stair that a person actually steps on. A stair tread is traditional made of wood, although metal isn’t totally unheard of. Additionally, some stair treads are covered by a non-slip surface that provides traction for a person as they walk to prevent falls down the stairway.
Learning these five stair parts might not make you an expert on stairways, but it will go a long way towards arming you with more information about stairs and how you can use this information in the design of your own staircase. Doing so will make the experience an easier and more pleasant experience for you.