Understanding staircase and handrail terminology

We provide a range of safety products that clients as well as end users can rely on. Here you can find everything from parts to create a first rate handrail to traffic control measures such as speed bumps and barriers. All items are high quality and available in multiple sizes to meet most requirements.

The majority of products feature a selection of different components. Together they make up a final item. There are many situations where you need to be able to identify the various parts. Staircases are a great example. Here you have risers, treads, stair nosing, and more. You then have the handrails and all the parts that come with it. To ensure you don't have any issues, we want to have a quick look at some staircase and handrail terminology.

Risers

We will begin with the risers. They are the vertical parts of steps, normally made using a thin wood. Not every staircase includes them. When they don't, we call the staircase an 'open riser'.

Curtail step

Some stairs have a design when the first step projects out more if you compare to other steps. Moreover, they can curve around the side of your stairs, at one or both ends. This creates a fancy scroll or tail effect. It can be a really great feature.

Stringers

Many staircases will have a stringer on one or both ends. The inner stringer is the timber on the wall side, whereas an outer stringer is the panel on the other side. The stringers secure the risers and threads, fixing them in place.

Newel posts

These are the upright pillars found at the top and bottom of staircases. Their job is to support the handrail. If there are turns in the staircase there may also be additional newel posts or half newels on the landings. A popular approach is embellishing them by adding timber mouldings or turning them.

Handrails

These are the protective railings on the staircase that you typically hold onto. They can come in a huge array of forms because they have to account for the specifics of the property and aesthetic requirements.

In some cases you can attach brackets directly to the wall to support them. In others you will need spindles or balusters (smaller posts) to support them. The whole aim with the railings is to make it safer for people to walk up and down stairs. So, they need to be solid and durable.

Speak to us if you need a handrail

At Barrier Mart, we have had the pleasure to help many individuals over the years. This includes private businesses as well as clients in the public sector. Our success is built on offering high quality products and great services, as well as some of the best prices in the UK.

If you need a handrail, we can help. The key clamp system we offer is a reliable and sturdy option with a selection of components to suit most needs. We even supply metal tubes for the rails too. So, feel free to get in touch if you wish to do business with us.