skin / staircase / carriage
skin / staircase / handrail
skin / staircase / landing
skin / staircase / newel
skin / staircase / property
skin / staircase / staircase
skin / staircase / step
skin / staircase / string
skin / staircase / tread
skin / staircase / well
skin / staircase / well
- carriage: The framing members that support the treads (steps) of a staircase.
- carriage piece: An inclined beam which supports the steps or adds support between the strings of a wooden staircase, usually between the wall and outer string. See carriage.
- rough carriage: A carriage which is unplaned, usually concealed from view.
- springing tree: Also see carriage.
- banister: Any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing.
- Buddhist railing: Stone barrier resembling a timber fence, with the horizontals running through the vertical posts, usually surrounding a stupa.
- choir rail: A railing separating the choir from the nave or the crossing.
- closed rail: A rail organized with the intervals between posts being filled by a wall.
- curtail: A spiral scroll-like termination of any architectural member, as at the end of a stair rail.
- ease: A curve in a handrail; found where the descending rail meets the newel.
- easement: A curve in a handrail; found where the descending rail meets the newel. 2. A legal right held by specified persons or the public to make limited use of the land of another, as a right-of-way. 3. A curved joint forming a smooth transition between surfaces that would otherwise intersect at an angle.
- hand rail: A rail alongside a stairway at hand height.
- handrail: A railing that serves as a hand support along a stairway.
- hand-rail: A rail alongside a stairway at hand height.
- handrail scroll: A handrail scroll is a spiral turn at the end of a handrail; also called scroll, handrail wreath, wreath, and volute. A turn-out easement is a smaller version of a handrail scroll characterized by a simple turn out at the end of a handrail.
- handrail wreath: A spiral turn at the end of a handrail.
- lamb’s tongue: The ornamental end of a handrail that is shaped like a tongue.
- lamb’s-tongue: The end of a handrail which is turned out or down from the rail and curved so as to resemble a tongue. 2. A cut molding, usually two ovolos separated by filled and set off by fillets at the other ends.
- montant: Any vertical member of a framework, as a stile.
- mort-safe: Protective iron railings surrounding and covering a grave or vault.
- open rail: A rail organized with slotted balustrades.
- pipe rail: A handrail made from lengths of stock steel pipe.
- plaque rail: Also see plaque rail.
- railing: A horizontal structure used as a handhold and/or to block off a hazardous drop.
- ramp: The upward concave turn in a handrail; used to bring an ascending handrail to the level of the rail above.
- spindled porch frieze: Any plain or decorative band, or board, on the top of a wall immediately below the cornice.
- spindlework: The use of multiple decorative spindles as architectural ornaments, along porch and stair railings, for example. Wood spindles are made from doweling turned on a lathe, shaped somewhat like the spindles used in spinning yarn. Associated with Queen Anne and other Victorian styles.
- thabha: The post of a stupa railing.
- top rail: A railing that serves as a hand support along a stairway. 2. The uppermost horizontal member of a door or window.
- turn-out easement: A smaller version of a handrail scroll characterized by a simple turn out at the end of a handrail.
- wreathe: A curved section of handrail.
- footpace: Also see pace.
- half-landing: A landing half-way up a flight of stairs.
- halfpace: A stair landing at the junction of two flights which reverses the direction of horizontal progress, making a turn of 180 degrees. Such a landing extends the width of both flights plus the well. 2. A raised floor in a bay window, in front of a fireplace, etc; raised a step higher than the general floor area.
- half-pace: A landing interrupting a stair where a turn of 180 degrees is made. 2. A raised section of flooring, as in some bay windows.
- halfpace landing: A landing connecting two flights of a half-turn stair. Also, halfspace landing.
- halfspace landing: A landing connecting two flights of a half-turn stair. Also, halfpace landing.
- half-space landing: A stair landing at the junction of two flights which reverses the direction of horizontal progress, making a turn of 180 degrees. Such a landing extends the width of both flights plus the well. 2. A raised floor in a bay window, in front of a fireplace, etc; raised a step higher than the general floor area.
- hautepace: A stair landing at the junction of two flights which reverses the direction of horizontal progress, making a turn of 180 degrees. Such a landing extends the width of both flights plus the well. 2. A raised floor in a bay window, in front of a fireplace, etc; raised a step higher than the general floor area.
- hautpace: A stair landing at the junction of two flights which reverses the direction of horizontal progress, making a turn of 180 degrees. Such a landing extends the width of both flights plus the well. 2. A raised floor in a bay window, in front of a fireplace, etc.; raised a step higher than the general floor area. Also see halfpace.
- landing: A platform between flights of stairs; used to change directions of a stairway or to serve as a resting place. 2. The portion of a floor adjacent to an elevator hoistway, used for the receiving and discharge of passengers or freight.
- pace: See landing. 2. A broad step, or slightly raised area around a tomb. 3. A small area which is raised slightly above the general floor area.
- quarterpace: A stair landing, often square in plan, between two flights which make a right-angle (90 degree) turn.
- quarter-pace: A stair landing, often square in plan, between two flights which make a right-angle (90 degree) turn.
- quarterpace landing: A square landing connecting two flights of a stair.
- quarterspace landing: A square landing connecting two flights of a stair.
- quarter-space landing: A stair landing, often square in plan, between two flights which make a right-angle (90 degree) turn.
- resting place: A landing; a half- or quarter-pace in a staircase.
- stairhead: The top or top landing of a stairway.
- angle newel: A landing newel.
- angle post: Intermediate newels supporting the handrail at the top and bottom of a stairway.
- angle posts: Intermediate newels supporting the handrail at the top and bottom of a stairway.
- closed newel: The central shaft of a turning stair when constructed as a continuous enclosing wall, either hollow or solid.
- hollow newel: Also see hollow newel stair.
- hollow newell stair: Also see hollow newel stair.
- landing newel: A newel which is located on a stair landing or at a point where stairs change direction.
- newel: The principal post in a banister at the foot of a staircase and at the corners of landings. 2. The horizontal section of railing at the upper or lower end of an escalator.
- newel cap: The crowning feature of a newel; often decorative in shape.
- newel joint: The joint between a newel-post and the handrail or between the newel-post and the string of a stair.
- newel post: Wooden post located at the top or bottom of a stairway balustrade.
- newel posts: The upright posts at the bottom and top of stairs that provide structural stability for the rail.
- newel-post: Wooden post located at the top or bottom of a stairway balustrade.
- nowel: The principal post in a banister at the foot of a staircase and at the corners of landings.
- nuel: The principal post in a banister at the foot of a staircase and at the corners of landings.
- solid newel: A newel into which the ends of a winding stair are built, as distinguished from a hollow newel.
- starting newel: The newel-post at the foot of a stair.
- apron piece: A horizontal wood beam, fixed into a wall and projecting horizontally, which supports the ends of carriage pieces, roughstrings, and joists at the landings of a wooden staircase.
- bridge board: Same as string board.
- bull-nose: Convex rounding of a member, such as the front edge of a stair tread. 2. A rounded-end tile or brick.
- carrier: Also see carriage.
- case: A box, enclosure, or hollow receptacle, as the space in which a stairway is built: a staircase. 2. Same as casing. 3. The carcass or structural framework of a house or other building.
- clearance: Space to spare above actual need, as the height, greater than normal headroom, between a stair tread and the closed ceiling above it.
- critical angle: The angle of pitch above which a stair is considered to be uncomfortable or unsafe, usually 50 degrees.
- face mould: In stair building, a full-sized pattern of the inclined projection of a wreath, produced by projecting the given horizontal plan vertically upon an inclined plane which corresponds to the slope of the wreath, or as nearly so as possible…
- fire tower: A stairway enclosed with fire-resistant construction, usually entered from the various floors of a building through fire doors.
- flight of stairs: A single set of stairs running from floor to floor, or from floor to landing.
- flyer: Same as flier.
- going: In British usage: 1. Of a step, the horizontal distance between two successive risers. 2. Of a stair or flight, the horizontal distance between the first and last risers.
- headroom: Unobstructed height between a floor or a step and the ceiling or beam that is overhead; it should be at least six feet.
- headway: Of stairs, the unobstructed distance from a landing or the face of a step to the ceiling above.
- line of travel: A line 18 inch (457 mm) in from the centerline of a handrail, along which the run of a winder is the same as a flier. Also called line of travel.
- pair: As used of a staircase, a flight or series of flights from one floor to the next. 2. In mechanics, two forces, considered collectively which have different points of application and which are equal, parallel, and act in the same direction.
- perron: An arrangement of exterior entrance steps, usually impressively elaborated.
- pitching piece: Also see apron piece.
- preferred angle: For a flight of stairs, any angle of pitch between 28 degrees and 36 degrees, or, for a ramp, an angle of pitch less than 5 degrees.
- rise: The vertical measurement between two successive treads in a stair. 2. The height of an arch from springing to crown. 3. The measured height of a sloping roof from the eaves to the ridge. 4. The vertical distance traversed by an elevator car from the lowest to the highest landings of the hoistway. Also called travel.
- stair rod: A metal rod for holding a stair carpet in place against the bottom of a riser.
- staircase exterior: A staircase with no covering projecting from the exterior of a building.
- stair-end: On an open-string stair, the face formed between the riser and the tread. Also, the cut-out or carved decorative element applied to this space. Sometimes also called a tread-end.
- stairs: One of a flight or series of steps for going from one level to another, as in a building.
- stairwall: Covering, typically of wood, over the side of a stair as it rises.
- stairway: A flight of stairs not necessarily cased in or enclosed.
- stepped: Arranged like a set of steps.
- story rod: A rod cut to the exact height of a story, from top of floor to top of floor, used to ascertain the proper height for the risers of the staircase by dividing the rod into as many equal subdivisions as there are steps.
- teram: The scroll at the end of a step.
- waist: Part of a staircase.
- walking line: A line 18 inch (457 mm) in from the centerline of a handrail, along which the run of a winder is the same as a flier. Also called line of travel.
- wreathe piece: A curved section of a staircase string.
- angled stair: A stair in which successive flights are at an angle of other than 180 degrees to each other (often at ninety degrees), with an intermediate platform between them.
- box stair: A stairway enclosed by walls or partitions. Generally, a box stair has a door opening at each floor level.
- enclosed stair: Also see box stair.
bracketed
- bracketed stair: A flight of open string stairs that are decorated with brackets on the exposed outer string.
Charon
circular
- dextral stair: Circular stair ascending from left to right.
- closed string stair: A stair constructed with closed strings, so as to conceal the ends of the treads and risers.
- curb string: Also see closed string.
- cut string: Also see cut stringer.
- cut stringer: Also see cut stringer.
- dog leg: Also see dog legged.
- dog legged: Also see dog legged.
- dog-leg: See stair.
- dog-leg stair: Two flights of stairs parallel to each other with a half-landing in between.
- dogleg staircase: A stair with no wellhole between flights.
- double return stair: A stair that divides in two after an intermediate landing.
- double return staircase: A type of stairway.
- double stair: A stair with two lower parts joining into one central stair after an intermediate landing.
- double-return stair: A stair having one wide flight from the main floor to an intermediate landing, and two side flights from that landing to the floor above.
- good morning stairs: In a full Cape house, the front stairs leading from the front hall to the attic rooms; at the chimney block the stairs turn both right and left, serving both sides of the house.
elliptical
enclosed
- boxed-in-stair: A stairway enclosed by walls or partitions. Generally, a box stair has a door opening at each floor level.
- closed stair: A stairway enclosed by walls or partitions. Generally, a box stair has a door opening at each floor level.
- exit stairway: A stairway leading to an exit passageway, an exit court, or public way, enclosed by fire-resistive construction with self-closing fire doors that swing in the direction of exit travel.
folding
- dogleg stair: A stair with no wellhole between flights.
- Geometrical: See stair; tracery.
- geometrical stair: A winding or angled stair having no newels at the turning points.
- geometrical staircase: A winding or angled stair having no newels at the turning points.
- wreathed stair: Also see geometrical stair.
- ghat: In India, a flight of steps leading to a river or other body of water.
- ghaut: In India, a flight of steps leading to a river or other body of water.
- halfpace stair: A stair making a one hundred and eighty degree turn, usually having a halfpace landing.
- half-space stair: Also see halfpace stair.
- half-turn stair: A stair that turns 180 degrees or through two right angles at an intervening landing.
- halpace: Also see halfpace.
- Imperial stair: See stair.
- double-L stair: A half-turn stair having two intermediate landings, each offering a 90 degree change of direction.
- L stair: A stair making a right-angled turn, consisting of two straight flights connected by an intervening landing or a series of winders.
- ladder: A structure of wood, metal, or rope, usually consisting of two sidepieces joined at suitable intervals by bars or rungs, forming a means of climbing up or down at an angle of pitch between 75 and 90 degrees.
- rung: One of the crosspieces, usually rounded, forming the steps of a ladder.
- ship’s ladder: A fixed stepladder having an angle of pitch between 55 degrees and 70 degrees, usually equipped with handrails.
- stee: In local British usage, a ladder or steep stair of simple form.
- step log: A kind of ladder made by cutting notches into the side of a log. The first ladder of the American Indians.
- moving staircase: A power-driven stairway consisting of steps attached to a continuously circulating belt, used for moving passengers up and down between floors.
- moving stairway: A power-driven stairway consisting of steps attached to a continuously circulating belt, used for moving passengers up and down between floors.
- open stair: A stair whose treads are visible on one or both sides.
- hollow newel stair: Also see open-newel stair.
- open newel stair: A stair built around a wellhole. Note that unlike the geometrical stair, newels are placed at the angles or turning points.
- open-newel stair: A stair built around a wellhole. Note that unlike the geometrical stair, newels are placed at the angles or turning points.
- open riser stair: A stair in which the space between the treads is open to allow light to the area below.
- open-riser stair: A stair having open spaces between successive treads, allowing light to pass from above.
- open-string stair: A stair whose treads are visible on one or both sides.
- open string stair: A string whose top edge is cut to the profile of the stairs so that treads project beyond the vertical plane of the string.
- openwell stair: A stair built around a wellhole. Note that unlike the geometrical stair, newels are placed at the angles or turning points.
- open-well stair: A stair built around a wellhole. Note that, unlike the geometrical stair, newels are placed at the angles or turning points.
- quarter turn: A type of staircase.
- quarter winding: A type of staircase.
- quarter-turn stair: A stair making a right-angled turn, consisting of two straight flights connected by an intervening landing or a series of winders. Also called L stair.
- a cordoni: Also see a cordoni.
- cordoni: A ramp or inclined plane formed into paved steps from 18″ to 3′ tread, with only 1″ to 4″ rise, each step being thus inclined somewhat less than the general slope. The risers or fronts of the steps are of stone, and constitute the cordoni. Such ramps are used for animals as well as pedestrians, and are common in Italy.
- helicline: A helical ramp.
- ramping: To ascend or descend from one level to another. 2. Asymmetrical rampant arches associated with the rake of a ramp or stair. See arch.
- scala cordonata: Also see a cordoni.
- stepped ramp: A series of ramps connected by steps.
- rood stairs: Stairs by which the rood loft is approached.
- combination stair: A stair in which access to the first landing is provided by a supplementary service stair as well as the main flight.
- service stair: A secondary stairway for service.
- caracol: A spiral staircase – en caracol.
- caracole: A circular stair whose treads travel around, and are attached to, a central newel.
- circular stair: A spiral stair.
- coakel: Same as cockle stair; a spiral stair.
- cochleary: Spirally or helically twisted, as a spiral stair.
- cochleate: Spirally or helically twisted, as a spiral stair.
- cockle stair: A spiral stair.
- cokel: Same as cockle stair; a spiral stair.
- corkscrew stair: A spiral stair.
- dancer: Curved or spiral stair. 2. Wedge-shaped step in a curved stair with the narrow end widened, also known as danced or dancing step, or balanced winder.
- helical stair: A spiral stair.
- newel stair: Also see solid screw stair.
- screw stair: A circular stair whose steps wind around a central post. Also called a newel stair or vice stair.
- solid newel stair: A stair whose tapered treads wind around, and engage in, a contral newel. Also called spiral stair.
- solid screw stair: Also see solid screw stair.
- spiral stair: A circular stair whose treads travel around, and are attached to, a central newel.
- spiral staircase: A flight of stairs winding around a central vertical support or open space.
- turnpike stair: A spiral staircase.
- vice: See vis.
- vice stair: A screw stair.
- vis: A spiral staircase generally of stone, whose steps wind around a central shaft or newel; a screw stair.
- vys: See vis.
- vyse: See vis.
- wreath staircase: A circular staircase.
- box stoop: A high stoop making a quarter turn, reached by a flight of stairs along a building front.
- Dutch stoop: A small wooden porch, covered by a cantilevered hood, with a wood bench on both sides. Also see Dutch stoep.
- masonry stoop: A part of the steps to a doorway.
- stoop: A raised platform, approached by steps and sometimes having a roof, at the entrance of a house.
straight
- straight flight: A flight of stairs having no turns or winders.
- straight flight staircase: The simplest type of staircase.
- straight run stair: A stair that has no turns and travels in only one direction.
- straight-run stair: A stair extending from one level to another without turns or winders.
- French flier: A flier of a three-quarter-turn stair, around an open wall.
- French flyer: A flier of a three-quarter-turn stair, around an open wall.
- three-quarter-turn stair: A stair requiring a three-quarter turn for continued ascent or descent.
- wall-stair: A staircase built into thickness of wall.
- balanced step: Any of a series of winders so arranged that they are nearly as wide at the inside of the stair as the adjacent fliers. Also called dancing step, dancing winder.
- balanced winder: Dancer or winder of a curving section or turn of a stair, with the narrowest parts of the wedge-shaped treads the same size as those of a straight flight in the same stair.
- cochlea: A winding stair; also a turret or tower containing such a stair.
- dancers: Colloquial term for stairs.
- dancing step: Any of a series of winders so arranged that they are nearly as wide at the inside of the stair as the adjacent fliers.
- dancing winder: Any of a series of winders so arranged that they are nearly as wide at the inside of the stair as the adjacent fliers.
- kite winder: The central of three stair winders making a 90 degree turn.
- radial step: Same as winder.
- wheeler: Same as winder.
- wheeling step: Also see winder.
- winder: A stair step with one end of the tread wider than the other end. Winders are used in spiral stairs and in stairs where steps are carried around curves or angles.
- winding stair: A stair constructed of winders; a stair that is carried around curves or angles.
- winding stairs: A stair constructed of winders; a stair that is carried around curves or angles.
- bull-nosed step: A step, usually lowest in a flight, having one or both ends rounded to a semicircle and projecting beyond the face of the stair string or strings. The semicircular projection extends beyond and around the newel post.
- cantilevered step: A step projecting from a wall with no real or apparent support at its outer end.
- Charonian steps: Also see Charon’s staircase.
- degree: A step, as of a stair. 2. A stair, or set of steps. 3. A unit of angular measure, equal to 1/360th of a complete angle or turn, or of the circumference of a circle.
- falling mold: In stair building, a full-sized pattern of the side of a wreath. It is cut out of a thin piece of veneer, or the like, following the lines of the developed (i.e. unrolled or opened out) curved elevation, and is then bent around the wreath to give the actual lines of the steps, moldings, and other parts.
- falling mould: In stair building, a full-sized pattern of the side of a wreath. It is cut out of a thin piece of veneer, or the like, following the lines of the developed curved elevation, and is then bent around the wreath to give the actual lines of the steps, moldings, and other parts.
- flier: Any of the steps in a flight of stairs whose treads are parallel and of uniform width.
- flight: A continuous series of steps with no intermediate landings.
- flight of steps: A continuous series of steps from floor to landing.
- gradine: In Italian, a step; hence, in English writing on Italian art, the superaltar, a raised shelf set above the altar and at its back, usually as long as the mensa, one third or one fourth as wide, and having the front closed in. This front is, then, frequently adorned with paintings, and this narrow row of pictures is called the predella.
- gre: See grees.
- grees: In medieval architecture, a step or flight of steps.
- grese: Steps. 2. Staircase.
- gryce: Steps. 2. Staircase.
- gryse: See grees.
- hanging step: Step with one end built into a wall and cantilevered, or perhaps resting on the step underneath.
- kaidan: Steps or stairs in Japanese architecture.
- lip: A rounded overhanging edge or member, especially when curving outward and downward, as a spout or drip. 2. The projecting edge or rim of a strike.
- nosing: The projecting edge of a step.
- open riser: An open space between two successive treads.
- raiser: Also see riser.
- raking riser: A riser that is inclined to permit more footroom on the tread below.
- riser: The vertical part of a step. 2. A vertical pipe, conduit, or duct in a utility system.
- risers: The vertical part of a step.
- round step: Also see rounded step, round-end step.
- rounded step: Also see rounded step, round-end step.
- scroll step: See curtail step.
- spandrel step: A solid step, triangular in section, whose hypotenuse forms part of the sloping soffit of the stair flight.
- step: A stair unit which consists of one tread and one riser.
- steyre: Old English term for grees.
- tredyl: Old English term for grees.
- turret step: A stone step, triangular in section, which forms, with other turret steps, a spiral or solid newel stair. Turret steps are tapered and have shaped ends which, laid upon each other, constitute the central column or solid newel.
- wheel step: Also see wheeling step.
- bridgeboard: A notched board which supports the treads and risers of wooden stairs; an open or cut stringer.
- close string: A string in which the ends of the treads and risers are received by grooves cut into the inner face of the string and are therefore concealed. Not that the top edge of the closed string is straight and parallel to the bottom edge.
- closed string: Descriptive of a stairway in which the edges of risers and treads are covered on the outside by a slanting member.
- closed-string: Descriptive of a stairway in which the edges of risers and treads are covered on the outside by a slanting member.
- curtail step: The bottom step in an open-string stair, extending in a half-round or volute following the volute of the handrail.
- cut-and-mitered string: An open string having the vertical edges of the notches mitered with the ends of the stair risers.
- face string: An outer string, usually of better material or finish than the roughstring which it covers; may be part of the actual construction or applied to the face of the supporting member.
- finish string: See face string.
- finished string: A carriage that supports the ends of risers and treads, and the string only serves as a cover for this rough work.
- housed string: A stair string receiving the ends of risers and treads in a series of housings. Also called closed string.
- notch board: In Great Britain, the string of a flight of stairs, especially when horsed out, so as to show a series of right-angled notches on the upper edge.
- notchboard: A stringer in a flight of stairs; a face string.
- open string: In a stair, a string which has its upper edge notched to fit the profile of treads and risers of the steps.
- open stringer: In a stair, a string which has its upper edge notched to fit the profile of treads and risers of the steps.
- open-string: Descriptive of a stairway in which the ends of risers and treads are uncovered on the outside.
- outer string: The string at the outer and exposed edge of a stair, away from the wall.
- rough stringer: The framing members that support the treads (steps) of a staircase.
- run: Of stairs or rafters, the distance between the end supports. 2. The horizontal distance from the eaves to the ridge of a sloping roof.
- stair: One of a flight or series of steps for going from one level to another, as in a building.
- staircase: A flight of stairs including handrails, newels, balustrades, landings, and strings.
- string: One of the sloping boards running alongside a staircase to support or cover the ends of the treads and risers.
- string board: Any board or plank, or facing of thin pieces glued together, serving in a building to cover the ends of steps in a stair, as when hiding the true string, or to cover the edge of a floor where a wellhole is cut through it. Often called bridge board.
- stringboard: Same as face string.
- stringer: A horizontal framing timber supporting minor members at right angles to it. 2. The sloping outside strut or decorative end face of a stair.
- strings: The sloping sides of a staircase that carry the treads (steps).
- subrail: A molded member that is attached to the top edge of a closed string. The subrail acts as a receiving base for the balusters.
- wall string: The sloping sides of a staircase that carry the treads (steps).
- wall stringer: The sloping sides of a staircase that carry the treads (steps).
- wreath piece: A curved section of a stair string; the curved portion of the string or handrail which follows a turn in a geometrical stair, usually a quarter circle, and therefore corresponds to a portion of the surface of a vertical cylinder.
- wreathed string: The curved portion of the string or handrail which follows a turn in a geometrical stair, usually a quarter circle, and therefore corresponds to a portion of the surface of a vertical cylinder.
- landing tread: A board directly over the uppermost riser in a flight of stairs, having an edge matching that of the nosings on the stair treads.
- pan tread: A steel pan receiving a concrete fill and serving as a tread or as a combined tread and riser.
- plate tread: A tread fabricated from metal plate, usually having a raised pattern to provide a nonslip surface.
- return nosing: The end of a tread that projects beyond the balusters in an open string stair.
- riser-tread ratio: The preferred ratio between the riser and tread of a stairstep, specified by either of two formulas: R + 2T = 24 to 25; R x T = 72 to 75.
- safety nosing: A nosing having an abrasive, nonslip surface flush with the tread surface.
- safety tread: A tread having a roughened surface to prevent slipping.
- tread: The horizontal surface of a stair. (The vertical surface is a riser.)
- tread return: The end of a tread that projects beyond the balusters in an open string stair.
- tread-end: On an open-string stair, the triangular face formed between the riser and the tread. Also called the stair-end.
- stair well: A stair well is the vertical compartment that contains a staircase.
- stairwell: A vertical shaft or opening containing a stairway.
- wellhole: A wellhole is the void, or clear space, between flights of stairs that are not in the same vertical plane (e.g., open newel and geometrical stairs have wellholes, whereas dogleg stairs do not).
Also see Architecture index.