Refurbishing your worn staircase or installing a new one can be tricky if you don’t know what components are required or necessary.
Given the various staircase parts available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed - especially when there are different names for different parts.
That’s why we’ve produced this simple guide, explaining all you need to know about the vital stair parts to incorporate into your structure.
So, keep reading to become an expert in the art of staircase design.
What staircase parts make up a flight of stairs?
Several fundamental stair parts form your staircase, including:
Risers
Your risers are the vertical parts of your stair steps. Depending on the style of your staircase, risers may be open or closed - open risers are typically a feature of floating staircases and can help a home feel more spacious than it is.
Treads
Sitting horizontally above your risers are the staircase treads - the platform part of your stairs where you stand. Together with your risers, they make up the most integral part of your stairway - the steps themselves.
Stair Nosing
A protective feature, oak stair nosing fits over the joints between your treads and risers to shield them from impact damage caused by heavy foot traffic and general wear. Stair nosing is essential to keep your expensive oak stair parts in exceptional condition for longer.
Handrails
Handrails are a vital safety component which offers a long stretch of solid material running parallel to your stairs, at arm level.
The purpose of a handrail staircase part is twofold - to provide stability to stair users using your staircase, and to infuse style into your home.
When heading up and down the stairs, individuals simply hold on to the rail to support themselves or to prevent a greater fall if they misstep.
As for decor, handrails are often decorative and can enhance the appearance of your hallway and landing. From sleek square designs made from premium oak for the contemporary home to intricate grooved styles for classical decors, there’s a handrail perfect for all homes.
Handrails can be wall-mounted, or make up part of your balustrade, which we’ll explore more about next.
Balustrade (bannister) components
If your staircase is open and isn’t encased between two walls, you’ll need a balustrade to secure the edge of your stairs and make it safe - otherwise, people may suffer steep falls down the edge of your stairway!
So, what parts make up your bannister?
Base rails
Your baserail is the foundation of your balustrade and is the base that holds your spindles (or glass panels) and your handrail. Baserail staircase parts can also be referred to as bottom tracks.
They’re installed alongside the steps and may continue along your landing if your bannister continues after your stairs end.
Baserails may be grooved or ungrooved depending on your needs. Grooved types are perfect for glass panel brackets and oak spindles to slot into. Whereas ungrooved designs are better suited to metal spindles that need to be drilled into the baserail.
Newel posts
The central supportive pillars of your entire bannister, newel posts are the large posts that sit at the base of your stairs and where your balustrade ends - sometimes, they may be between these points too depending on the design of your staircase and the level of support needed.
Just like your handrails, newel posts can be very eye-catching, and act as an intriguing style feature in their own right.
Newel caps
A beautiful and aesthetically pleasing way to finish your balustrade, newel caps are stylish toppers that ‘cap’ your newel posts.
These stair components are available in many unique designs, including spherical, pyramid, and flat styles. Simply choose the one that you like the look of most!
Balusters
Finally, your balusters, also known as your spindles are the smaller vertical posts housed between your base and handrails.
These columns provide safety on your stairs by covering the gap at the edge of your stairs, as well as helping to create a dazzling decor feature.
Individuals can select from a multitude of different spindles, including spiral, twist, squared, and chamfered.
What materials are staircase parts made from?
Stair elements or parts are available in various materials to suit a wide array of home styles.
Wooden stair parts
Wooden stair components are some of the most popular products on the market, and for good reason!
Oak timber for example offers sheer decorative beauty and timelessness, which it owes to its unique natural grains and incredible golden brown colour.
What’s more, oak is impressively durable and strong and can withstand heavy foot traffic, as well as scuffs and scratches for many years. Plus, varnished finishes make it excellent at resisting stains.
Other popular timbers include ash, pine and walnut.
Metal stair components
Renowned for their high levels of durability and robustness, metal stair parts are a stylish way to upgrade your stairs. When paired with an oak handrail, black metal spindles offer a delightful contrast between materials which looks nothing short of classy.
With metal parts, you can rest easy knowing your balustrade will last for years and continue to look new for longer.
Glass panels
If you’re searching for ultra-modern, or you simply want to brighten up your stairway and landing, glass panels are a great choice.
Glass is superb at making a space feel much more open and spacious, and exudes a premium look that is difficult to rival.
Get in touch with our team for more advice
If you could benefit from tailored recommendations regarding your staircase project, we’re here to help. Our team are experts in the field and know all there is to know about building staircases that last indefinitely and look the part.
Feel free to call us directly on 0194 236 5509 or email us at info@staircrazy.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
