Anatomy Of Staircase

WALLS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS 3(1+2)
Lesson 11 : Wall Element – Staircase

Anatomy Of Staircase

Stairs, staircase or stairway, are different terms that means a major fixed item in a building. The staircase is often a design element of the interior and therefore needs careful consideration before it is constructed. Stair planning is essential for safety, comfort as well as aesthetic value.

Flight of stairs or simply stairs is names for a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. The step is composed of the tread and riser. Stairways may be straight, round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles.

The stair railing at home is more than a simple way to get from a floor to another. It has its important use, one is to provide security for going up and down the stairs, and the other is to hold up the balustrade of the staircase. These elements must be kept in mind when the staircase is going to have a railing design.

They are charm, grace, and soft, the perfect end for your house, improving the look of it and of course increasing the value of it.

Definition of staircase parts

Balusters - The vertical posts in the space under the banister to the treads or floor (on the side of a landing).

Banister - The handrails up the side (or sides) of a stairway and, as an extension, along the edge of a landing.

Curtail step - The bottom step of a staircase which curves around sideways beyond the side of the staircase.

Fascia - The vertical covering under the edge of an exposed landing which covers the gap between ceiling and floor.

Finial - A decorative ornament used to decorate the top (and possibly the bottom) of a newel post - often in the shape of a ball, spike, urn, bun, or figure.

Flight - a flight is an uninterrupted series of steps.

Floating stairs - a flight of stairs is said to be "floating" if there is nothing underneath.

Half Landing - The flat area of flooring where a stairway makes a turn between main floors.

Inner (closed) string - The side of a staircase set against a wall which locates the treads and risers.

Landing - The flat area of flooring at the top and bottom of a staircase leading to rooms.

Newel post - The vertical post at the end or turn of a banister.

Outer (open) string - The side of a staircase open to view which locates the treads and risers.

Return nosing - The moulding, (normally half round) fixed to the ends of the treads exposed in a hallway and which covers where the balusters fit into the treads.

Riser - The vertical part of a step.

Riser wedges – The, usually wooden, wedges used vertically underneath a staircase in slots cut into the strings to secure the risers.

Spandrel - The triangular space underneath the stairs is called a "spandrel", frequently used as a closet

Tread - The horizontal part of a step.

Tread wedges - The, usually wooden, wedges used horizontal underneath a staircase in slots cut into the strings to secure the treads.

Tread/riser blocks - The, usually wooden, blocks used by gluing to secure the front of the treads to the top of the risers at the front edge of each step.

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Last modified: Friday, 9 December 2011, 2:26 PM