Staircase design and fitting are filled with jargon, and as much as we might try, unfortunately, it can be hard to discuss your options without using them.
For the team at Stairway Joinery, these terms are part of their everyday language, but as a customer, it can seem like a whole other language. Here, we bust the common jargon terms you will hear in a conversation with us about converting your current staircase or designing, manufacturing and installing a new one.
Types Of Staircase Designs
Many of the terms we use refer to the style or types of staircases.
Cut String - A cut string staircase, also known as a ‘saw tooth’ staircase due to its resemblance to a saw, is where the profile of the tread and riser can be seen from looking side on to the staircase. The spindles or glass will fit directly into the tread.
Closed String - A closed string staircase is where the treads and risers of each step are concealed, meaning you have a smooth timber string running up the side of the stairs, where the string capping and spindle will meet.
Open Riser - An open riser staircase is where there are gaps between each step. For Building Regulation purposes, this opening can be no more than 100mm here, or on any part of the staircase for that matter.
Closed Riser - A closed riser staircase is where there is a vertical surface at the back of each step.
Carriage String - This is where a centre ‘carriage’ supports the treads and balustrading each side. In essence, the treads overhang the carriage string each side.
Parts Of The Stairs
With an understanding of the types of staircases, the terminology moves on the parts of the stairs.
Riser - The riser is the vertical surface between each step.
Tread - The tread is the horizontal surface of the step where you place your foot.
Nosing - The stair nosing is the edge of the step that overhangs or corners off the step. In public spaces, these are often a contrast to the rest of the step to show where the edge of the step is to prevent falling or tripping. The nosing is also used around landings and is usually the same profile as a tread. This quote often has the capping sat on top of this and an apron sat underneath.
Nosing Support - This is used to support the balustrading where there is no other means of supporting this, usually this is because the wall or structural timber is set back or the newel configuration requires this.
Spindles - The spindles are the vertical posts that connect the handrail and base rail (or tread on a cut string staircase). These can be metal or wooden and can be shaped to add interest to your staircase.
Balustrade - The whole unit that goes up the side of a staircase, made of a group of balustrades. These can be glass, wooden or metal and can fit into a capping, into the tread or side fixed to the stair string.
Newel Post - The newel posts are the larger posts at the top and bottom of the stairs, which connect the handrail and stair strig together.
Newel Cap - The newel cap is the detail at the top of the newel post. This could be a ball, or a flat surface of the same wood that has made the newel post, or something completely different.
Handrail - The handrail tops the balustrading and is where you place your hand as you go up and down the stairs (hence the name).
Wall Handrail - A wall handrail is the same as a handrail but is attached to a wall. This doesn’t have to be attached to the newel posts at either end of the stairs.
String - The string is the material that goes up the wall alongside the stairs and on the adjacent side against another wall or into an open room. As described previously, this can be open or closed.
Capping - This component sits on top of the stair string or on the landing and houses the spindles or balustrading to prevent these from falling out.
Fillet - This is usually an ‘L’ shaped piece of timber that wraps around the side of the string and plasterboard soffit under the stairs to hide this joint. It is also used frequently where the landing apron meets the ceiling of any given floor.
Apron - This is a vertical finish that closes off the structural part of any given landing. This can be a timber apron or plaster boarded and skimmed.
Speak To Our Experts
If you need help decoding a conversation, design or quote, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts. We can explain each term in a way that anyone can understand while putting it into the context of a staircase.
Give us a call at 01202 622826 or complete our contact form, and we will give you a callback as soon as possible.
