Elements of a Steel Staircase
Here at Bradfabs, we understand that getting to grips with the terminology used to describe the various different elements of metal staircases can be tricky, to say the least.
In this guide, we help you to know your stringers from your winders and your volutes from your goosenecks!
Steps
When describing steps, we talk about their two component parts: the tread and the riser.
The tread is the name for the horizontal portion of a step where the foot is placed.
The vertical part of the step between each tread is known as the riser.
It is common in metal staircases for the risers to be missing, giving a so-called 'open stair' appearance.
The part of the tread that continues out horizontally past the riser is called the nosing, and the starting step (or bullnose) is the first step in a flight, which can have one or both sides open and is commonly larger than the steps that follow.
A stringer is the name of the structural element which supports both the treads and the risers. They usually come in pairs, one on each side of the staircase.
Winders are wedge-shaped stairs that are wider at one side than at the other. They are designed to change the direction of travel of a staircase in a smooth fashion, hence their name. Spiral staircases consist only of winders to form their elegant, helical shape.
Other Elements:
Trim
Trim is similar to a skirting board and is fixed where walls meet floor or where the tread and riser meet.
Bannister or Handrail
This is for holding on to as you go up and down a flight of stairs. Steel stairs can have either one or two, or none may be fitted at all. On larger staircases there can be a handrail or handrails in the centre of the flight.
Volute
This is a curved end fitted to a handrail which spirals around the starting step.
Gooseneck
A gooseneck is the name for a vertical piece of handrail that connects from a lower handrail to a higher handrail or up to the railing of a landing or balcony.
Baluster
A baluster (or spindle) is a vertical bar that connects the handrail and tread. They can decorative or very plain.
Balustrade
Balustrade is the collective name for many balusters joined together by a handrail. It is another word for the barrier or railing going up the flight of stairs and across a landing or balcony.
Newel
A newel is the large baluster which structurally anchors the handrail. Newels often extend beneath floor level for increased structural support.
There you have it! Our guide to metal staircase terminology.
If you would like anymore information about anything we have discussed in today's blog, contact us today on 01274 400 401 or email sales@bradfabs.co.uk.
