stairs

Structural component enabling movement between floors of a house or other structure.

starting step

Bottom step in a flight of stairs.

step groove

Width of the staircase.

newel post

Strong post at the top or bottom of a staircase supporting the handrail.

baseboard

Plank of wood protruding from the base of a wall; it hides the joint between the floor and the wall.

banister

Small piece of wood supporting the handrail and providing safety.

run

Width of a step as measured between two successive risers, excluding the nosing.

open stringer

Diagonal piece of wood cut to fit the steps and risers and supporting the ends of the steps at the banister.

flight of stairs

Set of steps lying between two floors, two landings or a floor and a landing.

closed stringer

Diagonal piece of notched wood supporting steps and risers and enclosing their ends.

landing

Platform between two flights of stairs or at the top of a staircase.

handrail

Top part of a guard for gripping when climbing or descending a staircase.

goose-neck

Decorative detail at the end of a handrail.

cap

Adornment for the top of a newel post.

guard

Set of bars and a handrail bordering the stairs or the open side of a landing.