Understanding Staircases and Coverings BY ELISABETH STUBBS
Staircases are so much a part of our homes that we often take them for granted. Most of us use them every day, but we don’t really know what makes them work. There are a surprising number of components to a staircase, so why not try to learn about some of the most-used parts?
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Baluster — Vertical post that fits between the
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Cove molding — Decorative strip that is
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Handrail — Horizontal piece of the balustrade
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Newel — Major support post
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Nosing — Edge of the tread
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Riser — Board that forms the
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Rosette — Round or oblong
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Skirtboard — Usually a
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Stringer — Framework upon which the stair
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Tread — Horizontal portion of each step, the
handrail and either the tread or the base rails.
attached under the stair nosing, which covers the joint between the riser and the tread. system that sits on top of the balusters, and is supported by newel posts.
for the balustrade system, located at the bottom and top of the staircase, and at turns and critical support areas. that projects beyond the adjoining riser.
vertical part of each step. piece that attaches the handrail to the wall.
decorative trim piece that fits along either side of the stairs along the wall, or the baseboard of the staircase. structure rests, usually two pieces.
part that is walked on.
Stairs are functional; that is why they exist. Yet, since most stairs are at or near our front door (sometimes the first thing one sees when they walk in), we need for them to be pretty. Stairs can be carpeted, wood or a combination of these — stained wood with a runner. There are a couple of good reasons to have carpet, or a runner, on the stairs. First, especially if you have children in the house, having the stairs covered will cut back on the noise. Nothing says teenage boy 30
A wood staircase with a decorated carpet runner.
AROUND CANTON | May 2021
like the noise they make thundering up or down the stairs. While wood stairs are beautiful, a covering of some sort makes them safer as well. For dogs, for children and, especially, for older adults, a slip on the stairs can be tragic. A runner is a nice compromise that is safe and beautiful. Runners can be made from carpet, and patterned carpets make especially great-looking runners. As a rule of thumb, a runner should cover 80% to 90% of the stair tread. Runners made from carpet can be serged or bound. Serged is somewhat like a blanket stitch, sewed around the cut edge. Bound means a piece of material (usually fabric) is sewn onto the carpet, forming a new finished edge.
Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors and More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.
