Stairs

A few technical terms generally used for the design of stairs are defined below:

1. Baluster: It is a vertical member supporting the handrail. The combined framework of handrail and baluster is known as balustrade.
2. Flight: It is a series of steps without any platform or landing or break in their direction.
3. Tread: It is an upper horizontal part of a step on which the foot is placed while ascending or descending a stairway.
4. Step: This is a portion of a stair which comprises the tread and riser. This permits ascending or descending from one floor to another.
5. Riser: This is a vertical member between two treads. This provides support to the tread.
6. Rise: This is the vertical distance between the upper faces of any two consecutive steps.
7. Flier: It is a straight step having a parallel width of tread.
8. Landing: This is a platform provided between two flights.
9. Nosing: This is the outer projecting edge of a tread. This is generally made round to give an appearance that is more pleasing and makes the stair easy to negotiate.
10. Going: This is the width of the tread between two successive risers. In other words it is the horizontal distance between the faces of two consecutive risers.
11. Winders: They are tapering steps used for changing the direction of a stair.
12. String or Stringer: This is a sloping member which supports the steps in a stair.
13. Newel Post: This is the vertical post placed at the top and bottom ends of flights supporting the handrails.
14. Run: This is total length of stairs in a horizontal plane, including landings.
15. Soffit: This is the underside of a stair.
16. Header: This is a horizontal structural member supporting stair stringers or landings.
17. Carriage: This is a rough timber supporting the steps of wooden stairs.
18. Staircase: It is the space or enclosure or room which contains the complete stairway.