Whether you have a brand new house and you want to construct a raised deck in the yard or you have a Heritage home and aim to refurbish the focal stairway, it is vital to recognize the many parts of a staircase. As they say, knowledge is power and if you are familiar with your stair parts, then you understand what to shop for, and it is much easier to purchase the supplies you want at the price tag you want to dish out for it.
Stair Parts
Tread – the horizontal stair part that you step onto.
Stairway Riser – the back vertical section or “kicker” between each step.
Stairway Tread Nosing – an edge part of the tread that protrudes over the staircase riser beneath. If it is present, this indicates that horizontally, the total “run” length of the stairs is not solely the sum of the stairway tread lengths, the treads actually overlap each other slightly
Bullnose – the first step is called the starting step or bullnose. The first step in a grand hallway, for example, would be wider than the rest and gives an attachment area for the banister and stair newel post.
Winders – smaller steps, frequently angular that are used to vary path such as in a circular or spiral staircase.
Stringer, Stringer board or sometimes just String – a structural stairway parts that supports the staircase risers and treads
Trim – natural wood baseboard, quarter round or crown floor trip that puts the finial touches on the staircase, and is commonly done in a way that harmonizes the stairs with the rest of the house.
Balustrade Parts
The balustrade is the complete system of stairway railings that includes balusters and railing.
Railing – Also identified as the banister or handrail. It is the top portion of the system that is meant for hand holding and safety. There are various types of fittings for the railings including easings, goosenecks, turnouts and volutes.
Baluster – the vertical posts that prop up the hand railing. In America, these are repeatedly called spindles. This is commonly the most ornamental part of any staircase where the balusters are hand carved, wrought iron, stained wood, ornately turned, or sporting a unique paint finish.
Newel – Commonly referred to as a staircase newel, these are the largest columns that hold up the handrail.
The two different variations of railing systems are over-the-post (also known as continuous) rails and post-to-post (also called newel-to-newel) rails. Continuous hand rails run “continuosly” over the newels.  The handrail in a post-to-post configuation, on the other hand, terminates at each newel.
Further terminology that might come in handy while you are refurbishing your stairway project:
•    Flight – an continuous grouping or series of stairway steps
•    Staircase – the stair structure as a group including the railing or banister, balusters, steps and over the post newels.
•    Stairway – the entire staircase and stairwell in total. This term is often interchanged with stairs and staircase.
•    Runner – the mat that is installed over the step and risers of the staircase.

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