Learn the basic anatomy of staircases plus all the ways to re-model yours…
When it comes to elements of design that are the perfect marriage of form and function, staircases are all we remember. Over the centuries, residential staircases have transformed. They have gone beyond their functional appeal into a true design powerhouse. In addition, they are providing pros and homeowners many things. For example, a chance to bring architectural interest, personality, and fun to spaces big and small.
Maybe you’re tackling a home build from the ground up. On the other hand, you might be undertaking a remodel and looking to inject some visual interest into your staircase. Nonetheless, there are endless ways to do so. But, there are a few important pieces of lingo to understand before you start dreaming up ideas.
Staircase Anatomy
Perhaps a staircase is one of the most intricate designs and architectural details in a home. At the same time, staircases have a surprising number of components.
Staircases – Stringer
A stringer is a support board. It runs along each side of a staircase. It provides necessary structural support to the entire staircase. In addition, it acts as a point of attachment for other elements, like the treads and risers. In most cases, one side (the inner stringer) is attached to a wall. The other side (the outer stringer) is on the side of the staircase open to view. However, this can vary depending on the design of the staircase and the layout of the home.
Treads
Treads are what you step on to climb your staircase. This is the basic definition. These horizontal pieces are typically of a standard depth. That is 10 to 11 inches at a minimum. That is to allow for easy (and thoughtless!) use of the staircase.
Staircases – Risers
Risers are the vertical surface of a stair. This is where your toe kicks when walking up the treads of a staircase. Risers offer both stability and a spot for a decorative upgrade. On the other hand, they can also be left completely open to give the staircase a breezy “floating” effect. Risers are most often seen at a standard height (around 7 inches) to make walking up a staircase second nature.
Handrail
A handrail is also known as a banister. This is what you hold onto as you climb or descend a staircase. It provides much-needed stability. On the other hand, it can appear on one or both sides of a residential staircase.
Staircases – Baluster
A baluster refers to the vertical poles onto which the handrail is affixed. They act almost as a “guard rail,”. At the same time, they are preventing people (and objects) from falling off the side of the staircase. Balusters are also often referred to as spindles. They can be a great place to add an element of design to your staircase, thus making it to better suit your personality or the style of your home.
Newel
Located at the very top and bottom of your staircase (often at “ground” level), a newel refers to thicker support pieces that bookend your handrail and balusters to anchor the staircase into the rest of your home.
