Stair Parts Terminology

Are you a stair parts novice? With all the different terminology associated with stair parts and the many differing parts available, it can become a little overwhelming to anyone.

Take a look through our Stair Parts terminology guide below to help you identify all of the different stair parts. This will then help you choose the correct parts needed for your perfect staircase.

Baluster: (also known as a Spindle) are the vertical parts of a staircase, that sit between a handrail and baserail.	Balustrade: Balustrade is the collective name for all the parts of a complete staircase, i.e. handrail, baserail, spindles, newel posts and newel caps.
Baserail: A baserail sits on top of the string or on the floor along a landing. They can come with a groove enabling spindles to sit in its track, or solid, enabling metal spindles or glass brackets being attached directly onto them.	Bullnose / Curtail step: Bullnose steps are usually the bottom step on a flight of stairs. Either one or both sides have a quarter circle design. This is commonly used so that a volute newel base and volute newel post can be used on the step.
Cap: (also known as a Newel Cap) is the cap that sits on top of a newel post. This helps to finish the newel post off. Available in wood, metal, or a mixture of both.	Closed String: The treads and risers of the staircase are enclosed, not allowing you to see through the gap.
Complete Newel Posts: Complete newel posts are newel posts that are one complete piece of timber, combining the newel base, newel turning and in some cases a newel cap. Usually newel posts are comprised of three separate parts.	Continuous Newel Posts: Continuous newel posts are used for long staircase runs. The handrail is combined with handrail fittings allowing the handrail to flow over the top of the newel post, creating a continuous run of handrail.
Cross Grain Pellets: Cross grain pellets are tapered timber plugs (usually have four in a stick) used to fill drill holes, creating a solid looking piece of timber.	Cut String: Cut string is when the treads and risers of the staircase are exposed, allowing the profile and step to be seen from the side. A spindle on a cut string staircase sits directly on the stair tread.
Diminishing: Diminishing is when a handrail hits the underside of a ceiling line. It is advised to run a length of hand or base rail along the ceiling and mitre this into the handrail that hits the ceiling. Spindles that run along the underside of the ceiling become shorter in length and are cut down from the top to create a diminished look.	End Caps: End caps are the decorative cap (usually metal) that sit on the end of a mopstick handrail, finishing it off.
Going: The going of a flight of stairs is the horizontal distance between the face of the first and last riser. The individual going of the step is measured from face of riser to face of riser and for domestic use should be a minimum of 220mm.	Handrail: A handrail sits on the top of spindles and can come in several different profiles (shapes), as well as timbers. Handrails can also be attached directly to a wall as an aid for getting up and down a flight of stairs.
Handrail Bracket: A handrail bracket is a metal bracket that is used to support a handrail that is attached directly to a wall.	Mopstick Handrail: A mopstick handrail is a traditional round handrail (usually with a flat on the underside) that is mounted to a wall with handrail brackets and wall patrices.
Newel Post: The newel post is the post at the foot of a staircase and at the top (and some times on a landing) that connects the handrail and baserail.	Newel Base: The newel base is the square block that forms the base of a newel post.
Nosing: Nosing is the projection at the end of the step that stands beyond the cut string.	Patrice: A patrice is a wooden disc that is attached to a wall before attaching a wall brackets.
Pegged Newel Posts: Traditionally, wooden newel posts have a round (50mm) peg at the base of the turning. This peg is then inserted into a newel base (which has a 50mm hole) to form a complete newel post.	Pigs Ear Handrail: Pigs ear handrails are wooden handrails that are moulded (in the shape of a pig’s ear) and attached directly to a wall.
Pitch: The pitch is the angle between the pitch line & and the horizontal.	Rake: The rake is the pitch of the stairs.
Spindle: Also known as a baluster, a spindle is the vertical part that sits between a handrail and baserail.	Tread: A tread is the top or horizontal surface of a step (the bit you put your foot on).
Winder: A winder is radiating steps which are narrower at one end and change the direction of the stairs through 90 or 180 degrees.