
- Baluster. A baluster is a short and decorative post, pillar, or column in a series that supports the top rail.
- Balustrade. A balustrade is a railing supported by a series of balusters.
- Bottom Rail. A bottom rail is the lower, bar-like component of a railing.
- Guardrail.
- Hinge.
- Landing.
- Lattice.
- Newel Posts.
- Baluster. A baluster is a short and decorative post, pillar, or column in a series that supports the top rail. ...
- Balustrade. A balustrade is a railing supported by a series of balusters. ...
- Bottom Rail. ...
- Guardrail. ...
- Hinge. ...
- Landing. ...
- Lattice. ...
- Newel Posts.
What are the parts of a handrail called?
- Spindles—the vertical supports that sit between a handrail and base rail. Also known as a balustrade.
- Base rail—sits on top of the string or along a landing.
- Handrail—a rail that sits on top of the baluster/spindles.
- Newel post—the vertical post that supports the handrail at the top and bottom of the stairs.
How high should a handrail be?
The railing can exceed 36 inches with no limit. Handrail height is the height of the handrail in relation to the stairs. Handrail height on the stairs should be no less than 34 inches and no greater than 38 inches.
How to tighten a handrail?
Rails With Balusters
- Tighten toenailed balusters, which are butted up against the handrail and secured by screws, by removing the screws.
- Insert a wood screw through the pilot hole. Tighten the screw and countersink it. ...
- Conceal noticeable gaps between the baluster and the rail by cutting a thin wedge of wood to the same size.
How high must a platform be to require a handrail?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23 includes requirements for ladders, where OSHA defines handrail requirements on platforms and how high safety railings must be. Handrails are required when there is a top step height of 4 feet or more and a railing needs to be 29.5 inches for stands with a top height of 4 feet or more, 36 inches for stands with a top step of 10 feet or more.
Why are handrails used?
What is a railing?
How do guardrails protect people?
What is a balustrade?
What is a baluster in a railing?
What is hinge in railing?
Where are landings on stairs?
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What are the pieces on stair railing called?
A handrail, also called a bannister, is what people hold onto for support when going up and down the staircase. The handrail is fixed to vertical posts (balusters) or a wall up one or both sides of the staircase.
What are the vertical pieces of a handrail called?
A baluster is a vertical piece between a railing and other wood or the floor that adds support and safety; a short and decorative post or pillar that supports a top rail.
What are parts of a banister called?
The banister refers to the system of parts that combine to make the stairway. A banister is usually the combination of handrail, newels, stair treads, balusters and assorted trim pieces.
What are the slats in a railing called?
Short and decorative, balusters can be made of wood, stone, iron, or any material that is strong enough to provide support. Traditionally turned on a lathe, balusters are used indoors or outdoors within a staircase, balcony, deck or patio railing, furniture, parapet, and other architectural structures.
What are the spindles on a banister called?
Balusters may be made of carved stone, cast stone, plaster, polymer, polyurethane/polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), precast concrete, wood or wrought iron. Cast-stone balusters were a development of the 18th century in Great Britain (see Coade stone), and cast iron balusters a development largely of the 1840s.
What is a rail spindle?
Balusters, also known as spindles or pickets, are the series of short, vertical decorative posts that support the top rail in a railing system.
What is a fillet on a handrail?
Fillet is decorative wood strips used to fill the plow between balusters in plowed handrail and shoerail.
What's the difference between a banister and a baluster?
The term baluster is interchangeable with the word spindle. The banister is actually used as a name for a staircase baluster, although it is commonly referring to the handrail of the structure. A balustrade is comprised of the railing system, (top rail, balusters/spindles, and often a bottom rail, posts (newels).
What is the vertical component of a stair?
Riser – A stair riser is the vertical space between one step and another. It may be closed or open, depending on the style of the stairs. Tread – A stair tread is the horizontal part of the step that a person will stand on, and along with the riser, is an integral part of a staircase.
What are stringers on stairs?
The stair stringer is a structural member installed on either side or in the center of a flight of stairs into which the treads and risers are attached. The primary function of the stringer is to provide a framework and load-bearing support for the treads and risers. According to the 2018 IRC, R311.
What is a fillet on a handrail?
Fillet is decorative wood strips used to fill the plow between balusters in plowed handrail and shoerail.
What are the names of stair parts?
Staircase Basics 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.
What is a handrail?
A handrail can be made of a variety of materials. It can either be attached to a wall, extend from the side of the stair rail, or sit on top of the balusters (vertical posts) on the open side of a staircase. A railing is the barrier which prevents people from falling off the side of the stairs. A railing must be strong enough to resist breaking ...
What are the different types of handrails for stairs?
However, there are only two different types of handrail design – integrated and wall mounted.
What is the best material for stair handrails & railings?
The best material for stair handrails and railings depends on the environment of the staircase and the look desired. Metals, like steel, aluminum and wrought iron, are popular choices for commercial and industrial settings and contemporary environments, where wood provides a more classic appearance. Glass is often used when the view beyond the railing is important.
What is a guardrail handrail?
Guardrail-mounted handrail is a handrail that mounts to the guardrail and extends out into the path of egress to provide a support for the user to grab onto separate from the guardrail.
What are the safety features of a staircase?
One of the main safety features of a staircase are the handrails and railings, which help prevent falls and injuries. These staircase parts can be made of different materials, such as metal, wood or glass, to achieve different visual effects. The type of stair railing and type of handrail used will also impact the appearance of the staircase.
What is a steel stair handrail?
A powder coated or galvanized steel handrail is a popular choice for prefabricated industrial stair applications where other components of the stairs are made of steel.
What is a wooden handrail?
Wooden handrails are typically found in homes and residential buildings. The use of wooden handrails can vary from decks to garage stairs to grand staircases in older homes. However, wooden handrails can also be used with more modern railing materials, such as metal or glass, to provide a unique style.
What is a guardrail on a stair?
A guardrail is a barrier system erected on an unprotected side of a stair that protects people from falling. The guardrail can be attached directly to the stringer or to the treads.
Where is the base rail on a staircase?
The base rail is the board at the bottom of the guardrail that is located beneath the balusters and on top of the stringer. The base rail runs up the staircase and is supported at each end by a newel post.
What is a gooseneck on a staircase?
Gooseneck: what is a gooseneck? A gooseneck is part of the staircase handrail that is used to join a handrail that runs parallel with the stringer to a higher handrail on a landing or balcony. A gooseneck is commonly used when the staircase changes directions.
What is a staircase with risers called?
Stairs with risers are called closed tread stairs. To give a staircase a more modern look, it can be built without risers. This open riser style provides the appearance of a larger space.
What is a tread on a staircase?
A tread is the horizontal part of a staircase that extends from the front edge of the stair nosing to the riser. It serves as the walking surface of the stair that you step on when climbing up or down the stairs. Below are a few common tread types used for prefabricated industrial stairs and bolted access stairs.
What is a baluster in a guardrail?
A baluster is a the vertical post onto which the handrail is affixed. It is usually a part of the guardrail system. These pillars or columns are usually decorative in design and are also referred to as the spindle.
What are the names of stairs?
Most people are aware of some stair parts names such as the tread, riser, landing and handrail. But unless you are an architect or builder, you may not be familiar with staircase terminology such as baluster, stringer, volute, bullnose or newel post.
What are the parts of a staircase?
Discover all the main parts of a staircase here with this helpful illustrated diagram pointing out each part of a staircase including baluster, stringer, tread, handrail, riser and more.
What is a riser in stairs?
The riser is the portion of the staircase that rises vertically. It’s the face of the steps. It’s usually made of the same material as the tread.
What is the standard tread depth for stairs?
Standard tread depth (i.e. from riser to end of tread) is 10″ . 5. Riser.
How wide is a sandbox?
Most are made from wood or metal. Some are wide (5 to 6 inches) while others narrow (2 inches).
How wide should stairs be?
Most building codes stipulate that stairs be no less than 36″ wide.
Do staircases have balusters?
Some staircases don’t have balusters. Instead they have solid sides, often glass. Here’s an example. Example of a staircase without a baluster. This has a solid side made of glass. 2. Handrail. The handrail is the part that forms the top of the railing. If the staircase has balusters, it sits on the balusters.
What is a handrail?
Handrail: It is a molded member of wood or metal provided to afford assistance and safeguard to a person while going over a staircase, the handrails are fixed at the top of balusters.
What are the parts of a staircase?
A staircase made of various parts has essentials for a safe and durability, various parts of stairs include treads, risers, etc.
What is the difference between a step and a staircase?
Step: It is comprised of a tread and a riser, while stairs composed of a set of steps.
What is waist in structural?
Waist: The thickness of structural slab in case of plan R.C.C. stair known as a waist.
What is the arrangement of steps that allows the person to move from lower to higher floor?
A stairs are arrangement of steps that allows the person to move from lower to higher floor or higher to lower floor.
What is the projecting edge of a tread called?
Nosing: The projecting edge of the tread is normally termed as nosing.
What is a riser in a step?
Riser: It is the vertical portion of a step offering support to the thread.
Why are handrails used?
Handrails are designed to be grasped by the hand for physical stability, support, or guidance. They are typically supported by posts or mounted directly to walls, and they ensure that if someone slips or missteps, they won’t won’t fall down. For this reason, they are commonly found on stairs, platforms, and walkways.
What is a railing?
A railing is a barrier system formed of posts, balusters, and rails. The term railing is sometimes shortened to rail.
How do guardrails protect people?
Guardrails protect people from dangerous situations by ensuring that they cannot accidentally fall off an elevated place, such as a platform, walkway, stair, or landing. They can be found in buildings, on roads, along hiking trails, on staircases, on balconies, etc. Guardrails contain, at minimum, posts, balusters, and a top rail. They must be strong enough to resist breaking or falling if a person falls or pushes against the structure. Sometimes they are combined with handrails to ensure that the railing both offers stability and acts as a barrier.
What is a balustrade?
Their balusters are evenly spaced and supported by posts. Sometimes balustrades are used to define a space, like the balustrade that surrounds the bed in the king’s bedchamber in the Palace of Versailles.
What is a baluster in a railing?
Baluster. A baluster is a short and decorative post, pillar, or column in a series that supports the top rail. You may hear a baluster referred to as a spindle, picket, or banister.
What is hinge in railing?
Hinge. A hinge is a moveable, mechanical joint that allows a railing’s gate to swing open. One side of the hinge is attached to the stationary railing; the other side is attached to the gate.
Where are landings on stairs?
Landings are large, flat surfaces where people can stand. They are found at the top of a flight of stairs, so they can be at the peak of a staircase or in the middle (between two flights). Although some railing systems don’t have landings, all stairways do.
