Astragal Molding – A type of molding in the profile of a semicircle with two concave pieces of wood attached adjacently; primarily used to decorate the midsection of a Box Newell Post
Balcony – An elevated platform enclosed by railing, posts, and balusters
Baluster – A vertical structural component of the balustrade; can be either wood or metal
Balustrade – The collection of Newell Posts, Balusters, and Handrail assembled to create a barrier alongside treads and risers of the staircase; a 4” sphere should not be able to pass through the balustrade
Bending Handrail – A bent/warped wooden rail used for curved or spiral stairs
Bending Mold – A flexible tool (plastic) used to lock the bending handrail in a particular shape during the installation process
Box Newell Post – A Newell Post that has a square base
Bullnose – The rounded trim in front of a tread; can be attached to the tread via molding
Coped End – A starting fitting with one end finished and the other end cut to connect to the handrail
Cove Molding – A type of molding used as nosing for stair treads; can also be used to decorate the adjoined area where walls, ceilings, or floors meet; another name for Scotia Molding
Curved Tread – A type of tread where one end is longer than the other end, creating the shape of a trapezoid; used for landings where the staircase shifts directions
Dowell Pin – A cylindrical piece of wood used to connect two components of the staircase (usually with glue), such as a Pin-Top Newell to a Tandem Cap fitting or a baluster to a tread
False Riser – A rectangular piece of wood (5.5” wide, 8” in length, and 0.5” thick) used as vertical faces on the left and right side of a carpeted stair tread
False Tread – A special type of tread with two planks of wood attached perpendicularly and adjoined by a length of molding; primarily used on the left and right sides of a carpeted tread in order to provide a landing place for the balusters
False Tread Molding – A molding that replicates the rounded trim at the front end of a tread
Fillet – A rectangular section of wood (same size as the baluster) that fills in the space of the plow in a plowed handrail
Fitting – A railing component that allows the handrail to change direction; used as connectors for different sections of the handrail
Fluted – Signifies that the faces of a baluster or Newell post have been milled to create indented grooves that looks like a flute or collection of flutes
Gooseneck – A combination of fittings that allows the handrail to change direction in both the vertical and horizontal plane, such as an Up Easing connected to a Level Quarter Turn Cap which connects to another Up Easing
Guardrail – The balcony’s protective railing that prevents people and objects from falling through; another word for the Balustrade
Half Newell Post – A Newell Post sliced in half; placed alongside the wall; provides an area for the handrail to return.
Handrail – The ascending/descending top section of the staircase, meant for hands to hold on to while walking up or down the stairs
Landing Tread – A wooden base that provides a landing place for balusters and posts
Left Hand Curve Arm High – A volute that rotates counterclockwise from the left side of the staircase; rises into the handrail at a faster rate than the Quick Rise Left Hand Volute
Left Hand Turnout – A starting fitting that curves in from the left side of the staircase and rises into the handrail
Left Hand Volute – A curved starting fitting that rotates counterclockwise from the left side of the staircase and rises into the handrail
Left Hand Volute Quick Rise – A volute that rotates counterclockwise from the left side of the staircase; rises at a faster rate than the standard Left Hand Volute
Level Quarter Turn – A fitting that changes direction of the handrail by 90° on a horizontal plane
Level Quarter Turn 135° – A fitting that changes direction of the handrail by 135° on a horizontal plane
Metal Baluster – A vertical segment of metal made to a particular style; used to connect the top rail to the bottom rail. Stair Parts Depot offers metal balusters in finishes of Semi Gloss Black, Satin Black, Powder Coated Grey, Antique Bronze, Oil Rubbed Copper, and Oil Rubbed Bronze
Newell Plate – A metal plate used to connect the Newell Post to the tread, landing, or floor
Newell Post – A wooden column used to support the load of the staircase, essential for structural integrity
Newell Post – The main column block used to support the staircase. LAJ Wood Products offers Newell Posts in 6 different styles: Traditional, Colonial, Sheraton, Hampton, Contemporary, and Classic
Newell Post Bolt – A large screw used to secure the Newell Post to the tread, landing, or floor
Nosing – A rounded front end of a tread; can be attached to the tread via a type of molding
Opening Cap – A starting fitting that connects the handrail to a Pin-Top Newell Post
Over Easing – A convex fitting that changes the direction of the handrail by 135° on a vertical plane
Panel Molding – A type of molding used to create the look of raised panels on a wall, cabinet, or Newell Post
Peak Cap – The pyramidal top section of a Box Newell post; can be sold separately from the post
Pie Tread – A type of tread where one end is longer than the other end, creating the shape of a trapezoid; used for landings where the staircase shifts directions; another name for Curved Tread
Pin-Top Newell Post – A Newell Post that has a Dowell attached to the top; used to connect to capped fittings
Plowed Handrail – A handrail that has a rectangular section cut off from the bottom in order to receive square-top balusters
Plugs – Cylindrical pieces of wood (0.5” – 1” diameter, 0.5” in length); used to cover holes left behind by drilling during the installation of staircase
Quarter Turn Cap – A fitting that changes direction of the handrail by 90° on a horizontal plane; connects to a Pin-Top Newell Post
Quarter Turn Cap 135° – A fitting that changes direction of the handrail by 135° on a horizontal plane; connects to a Pin-Top Newell Post
Rail Bolt – A bolt that is used to secure the handrail to the post or wall
Return End – An ending fitting with one end finished and the other end cut to connect to the handrail
Right Hand Curve Arm High – A volute that rotates clockwise from the right side of the staircase; rises into the handrail at a faster rate than the Quick Rise Right Hand Volute
Right Hand Turnout – A starting fitting that curves in from the right side of the staircase and rises into the handrail
Right Hand Volute – A curved starting fitting that rotates clockwise from the right side of the staircase and rises into the handrail
Right Hand Volute Quick Rise – A volute that rotates clockwise from the right side of the staircase; rises into the handrail at a faster rate than the standard Right Hand Volute
Riser – The vertical face of a step used to compliment the horizontal tread; treads and risers go together to form the steps of a staircase
Rosette – A round or oval section of wood attached to the wall; provides an area in which the handrail can return
Sander – A power tool that uses sandpaper to smooth out the surface of wood products
Scotia Molding – A type of molding used as nosing for stair treads; can also be used to decorate the adjoined area where walls, ceilings, or floors meet
Shoe – A square base for the metal baluster; secures the bottom section of the metal baluster to the tread
Shoe Rail – The bottom railing of a staircase; supports square balusters
Skirt Molding – A type of molding used to create the look of raised panels on the wall, cabinet, or Newell Post; another name for Panel Molding
Spindle – A vertical structural component of the balustrade; another name for the Baluster
Spiral Stairs – A staircase in circular or helical form; Bending Handrails and Pie Treads are used during the construction of a Spiral Staircase.
Stair Gradient – The slope (angle of inclination) of the staircase measured from the horizontal base to the angle of the handrail; angle varies depending on the city – check local building codes
Step – A tread and riser adjoined perpendicularly
Tandem Cap – A fitting that adjoins two sections of a handrail to a Pin-Top Newell Post
Top Cap – Another name for Handrail
Tread – The horizontal steps of a staircase
Tread Bracket – A decorative piece of wood attached alongside the tread and riser
Tread Return – A rounded trim of wood attached adjacent to the treads and risers
Up Easing – A concave fitting that changes the direction of the handrail by 135° on a vertical plane
Up Easing 90° – A concave fitting that changes the direction of the handrail by 90° on a vertical plane
Volute – A curved starting fitting that flows in circular form before rising into the handrail. LAJ Wood Products offers volutes that rise at three different rates: the standard Volute, Quick Rise Volute, and Curve Arm High Volute
Wall Cap – A rectangular plank of wood (0.75” thick, 7” wide, with varied lengths up to 15 feet long) used to provide a protective outer surface to any wall-like structure
Wall Rail – A handrail attached alongside the wall
Wall Rail Bracket – A metal bracket used to support the load from the handrail into the wall
Wood Baluster – A vertical piece of wood intricately cut to a particular style; used to connect the top rail to the bottom rail. LAJ Wood Products offers wooden balusters in styles of Traditional, Colonial, Sheraton, Hampton, Classic, and Contemporary.
