Staircase Terminology
Baluster/Spindle
Balustrading
Bullnose Step

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.
Some More Terminologies
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.
OAS
OAS refers to the width of the Staircase or Width Overall Strings.
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
Rake implies 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.
Also read: Staircase Dimensions | stair dimensions
Stelten
Stelten is the Handrail Fixing we use on our Staircases. Stelten is Short for Steel Tenon
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.
Volute
The detail like a Scroll at the entry of a handrail, sometimes called a Monkey’s Tail, – New Ascending Volute
Wall String
The string of a staircase fixed flush with a wall.
Winders
Winders are radiating steps narrower at one end that are used to change the direction of a stairs through 90° or 180°.
Wrap Up and Conclusion
So what do you think of these staircase terminology? I’m sure some of them are common and you know them well. But can you say you knew more than 50% of these staircase terminologies?
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