Baluster

A vertical support for a railing; the lower end may rest on a stair t Tread, bottom rail, or stringer.

Balustrade

A railing assembly consisting of hand rail, balusters and often a Bottom rail or shoe.

Flight

The vertical clearance between the rake of stair tread noses and the And the ceiling above

Headroom

The vertical clearance between the rake of stair tread noses and the And the ceiling above.

Housed Stringer

A stair stringer enclosing and supporting the ends of treads and Risers.

Landing

The level part at the end of a flight of stairs, or a platform used to Change the direction of stairs or to break a long run.

Newel

An upright post supporting a rail, found at the foot, landing or top Of a stair.

Nosing

The portion of the tread which projects beyond the riser face. The Width of the nosing is added to the tread run to obtain the tread Width.

Rail

A bar of wood used as a hand support parallel to the stringer or Floor and extending from one support to another, serving as a Guard or barrier.

Riser

The vertical member between treads of stairs.

Rosette

A plate mounted to a wall into which a rail terminates.

Shoe

A finishing strip of wood upon which the newels and balusters rest.

Staircase

A flight of stairs leading from one floor to another and either Framed by walls, balusters, and/or rails.

Stairwell

A stairwell is the framed opening in the floor construction of a Building through which the stairway passes.

Stair ratio

the formula expressing the relationship between the unit rise and Unit run of a stair.

Stringer or Carriage

The part of the stair construction which is cut out to receive the Risers and treads and which supports the steps

Tread

The horizontal part of a step on which the foot is placed to ascend or descend a stairway.

Total rise

The total rise of a stairway is the vertical distance from finish floor to finish floor, and is the basic measurement for all stair layout

Total Run

The total run is the overall horizontal distance occupied by a stairway. This measurement is obtained by multiplying the Unit run by the number of treads. The total run measurement is Used to locate the exact position of the bottom of first riser.

Unit Rise

The unit rise of a stairway is the vertical distance from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread.

Well

The opening for a stair; also called stairwell.

Winders

Treads on circular or winding stairs wider at one end than the other