This glossary is provided to help users of this site understand some of the terminology referred to in regard to the products we sell. If you cannot find the term you are looking for here, or if you need further information, please contact us using our contact form or call us on 0800 098 8778.

Albini Fontanot

Italian manufacturer who specialises in the production of modular staircases. To see the range of stairs by Albini Fontanot please click here.

Apron

A lining used to cover to structural opening of a stairwell.

Arkè

Italian manufacturer who specialises in the production of kit staircases. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Albini Fontanot SpA. To see the range of stairs by Arkè please click here.

Baluster

A component part of the balustrade, the balusters are the vertical tubes/ bars that sit directly beneath the handrail.

Balustrade

The collective name for the assembly of handrails, balusters etc that together form a safety guarding to protect the side of a stair or stairwell.

Beech wood

A type of hardwood used in the construction of some of the staircase we sell. It is naturally pale in colour with a smooth finish ideal for taking stains or varnish.

Block laminated timber

Sections of timber (wood) glued together to form larger pieces of timber (generally boards for making treads etc). Laminated timber is strong and stable and therefore ideal for use in staircases.

Carriage

Support structure used for modular and space saver stairs. The carriage is the collective name for the steel modules that are fixed together to create a framework on which the treads are fixed.

Clearance

A measurement of distance taken at a right angle from the pitch line to an obstruction above, which is generally the ceiling.

Clear width

A horizontal measurement of unobstructed distance between walls, handrails etc. On our spiral stairs this measurement is taken between the centre column and the handrail.

Centre going

A horizontal measurement of the depth of a tapered or winder tread taken at central points, whilst excluding any part which is overlapped by another tread.

Double cantilevered stairs

A type of stair where the treads are supported on a centrally positioned carriage.

Double winder

A layout or configuration applicable to modular stairs whereby a 180° or U shape change in direction is made using winders.

Ehleva

Italian manufacturer who specialises in the production of kit staircases. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Mobirolo SpA. To see the range of stairs by Ehleva please click here.

Flight

A flight is an uninterrupted series of steps.

Floor to floor height

A measurement of distance taken vertically between two floors.

Floor to ceiling height

A measurement of distance taken vertically between a floor and a ceiling.

Handrail

A component part of the balustrade, the handrails are the parts you are supposed to hold.

Headroom

A measurement of distance taken vertically from any point along the pitch line to the underside of an obstruction above (this is generally the ceiling).

Helical

A layout or configuration applicable to modular and space saver stairs whereby the treads change direction to rotate around a central void (unlike a spiral stair which turns around a central column).

Individual going

A measurement of distance taken horizontally from the leading edge of a tread to the back of it whilst excluding any part which is overlapped by another tread.

Intermediate landing

A landing between floors.

Kite tread

A winder tread shaped like a kite. It is normally located in the middle of a set of winder treads.

Landing

A platform or floor area at the beginning or end of a stair.

Landing balustrade

A balustrade located on a landing to protect a stairwell.

Mobirolo

Italian manufacturer who specialises in the production of modular staircases.

Overall diameter (spiral stairs)

A measurement of the diameter of a spiral stair as it appears on plan if measured from outer edge to outer edge.

Overall going

A measurement of distance taken horizontally along the entire length of a staircase. A staircase may have more than one overall going depending on the format used.

Pitch

The angle between the pitch line and a horizontal plane.

Pitch line

A notional line connecting the nosing’s of consecutive treads in a flight of stairs.

Private Stair

A staircase located within a single dwelling that cannot be accessed by the public.

Quarter landing

A landing where a 90° change in direction to be made.

Rise

A measurement of distance taken vertically of the height of a singular step.

Riser bars

Bars used to partially to obstruct an open rise for the safety of young children.

Single winder Stairs

Where a 90° change in direction is made using winders.

Space saver treads

Left and right handed treads which are arranged in an alternate or staggered sequence (left, right, left, right etc). This arrangement permits a steep pitch whilst maintaining a similar rise and going per step to that of a normal stair.

Spiral stairs

Where the treads are tapered and turn around a central column (Circular on plan). Click here to see our range of spiral stairs.

Square spiral stairs

Type of spiral stair where triangular and kite shaped treads are used to create a format that is square on plan. Click here to see a range of square spiral stairs

Straight stairs

Stair format where the direction of the treads are the same throughout.

Stairwell

The space/void provided for the stairs.

Step

A tread and riser combined

Tread

The horizontal surfaces for walking on.

Tread width

The overall width of a singular tread

Winders

A set of triangular and kite shaped treads that form part of a modular stair. They are used to provide a change in direction.