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Understanding the Anatomy of a Staircase

A staircase has many components from the treads, fascia, stringers and more. Understand some of the terminology related to stairs, railings, and their components.

Staircase Basics

1

Understanding Treads, Risers, and Nosings

The riser is the vertical surface of the stair. The tread on the other hand is the horizontal surface of the stair and the part of the stair you step on.  

Nosing is the portion of the tread that overhangs the front of the riser. Often a stair builder will talk about the rise and run of the stair. The rise is the vertical dimension from tread to tread, while the run is the horizontal dimension from riser to riser (not including the nosing).  


2

Understanding Railing, Staircase & Everything in Between

The rail is the part of the railing system that you touch with your hand as you go up and down a stair.

The post (also called a newel) is the vertical structure that connects the stair or floor to the railing system. 

Spindles, which are vertical wood or metal structures, are interspersed between posts to provide a safety barrier along the stair system.

Shoe is the bottom plate that spindles (or glass) are set into.


3

Understanding the Stringer

Stringers provide support to a staircase and there are many different varieties (see below for the different varieties). 

Stringer fascia is the finished surface that on a western style stringer is on the inside vertical surface of the stringer.

A stringer capping is the finished surface that is on the top face of a western style stringer. 

Shoe mould is moulding that covers the gap between the shoe and the drywall surface of the wall below where the shoe is installed. 


Treads & Stair Designs

4

Straight vs. Convex Treads

Straight Tread: A straight tread is a stair where the nosing is straight and no increased front edge curve is present.
Convex Tread: A convex tread has a curved front edge between two stringers.


5

Western Stringers

Also called closed, routered or housed stringers.

From the side view a western stringer is a consistent ribbon with the treads and risers routered into the inside face of the stringer.


6

Eastern Stringers

Also called sawtooth or open stringers. 
From the side view an eastern stringer is cut out on the rise and run.


7

Mono Stringers 

A mono stringer stair uses a single ‘beam–like’ stringer that supports the centre of the treads 
from below and no risers are present.


Are you ready for the next step?

Call 1 (844) 482-7213 or visit our showroom

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8:30am - 4:30pm

15138 123 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB

T5V 0A3

1 (844) 482-7213

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#200 - 3042 Sexsmith Rd Kelowna, BC V1X 7S6

1 (778) 753-7422

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