Balusters: Vertical posts which help support the handrail and comprise an integral design element in the formation of the balustrade.

Balustrade: Refers to the collection of newels, balusters and handrail on a staircase.

Box Newel: A large, square, solid or hollow newel used in post-to-post balustrade systems.

Bull nose: Used as a starting step - a tread and riser assembly that has one or both sides finished in a radius.

Cap: A widened area of a fitting that typically sits on the newel post in an over-the-post balustrade system.

Fillet: Strips which are used to fill the plowed spaces between square top balusters on plowed handrail and shoe rail.

Fittings: Specially designed stair parts which provide a smooth transition during handrail height changes or handrail directional changes. Examples: volutes, turnouts, starting easing, and goose necks.

Goose neck: A handrail fitting used at a landing or balcony to complete a smooth transition between varying heights. A goose neck consists of an up-easing, a vertical rail drop and a level cap.

Handrail: The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top of the balusters and is supported by newel posts.

Landing Newel: A newel post positioned at a landing or balcony.

Level Quarter turn: A level handrail fitting which turns 90 degrees.

Newel Posts: Larger in diameter than balusters, newel posts form the major support of the balustrade system. Newel posts are located at the bottom and top of a staircase, and positioned at turns and support positions for the balcony rail.

Nosing: The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond the face of the riser.

Over-the-Post: A balustrade system which utilizes fittings to smoothly transition over newel posts forming a fluid line of continuous handrail.

Plow: A routed bottom section of the handrail or shoe rail used for inserting square top balusters. The gaps between the balusters are covered with fillet.

Post-to-Post:A balustrade system which features handrail that runs between finial-topped newel posts that project above the rail at specified intervals.

Rake: The slope or angle of the staircase. The angle of ascent is determined by the rise and run.

Rise: The vertical measurement from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread.

Riser: The vertical component of a step which in conjunction with the stringers, supports the treads.

Rosette: A decorative piece of wood which ends the handrail into the wall.

Run: The horizontal distance measured by the entire stairway.

Shoe Molding: A quarter round molding strip used to attractively finish the bottom of the starting step where the riser meets the floor.

Shoe Rail: A molding piece running along the floor of the landing or balcony which is plowed for the insertion of balusters and fillet and provides a professional finish.

Starting Newel: The first newel used at the bottom of a staircase.

Starting Step:The first tread and riser at the bottom of the staircase.

Stringers: A supporting structure which runs the length of the stairway and supports the treads, risers, and balustrade system.

Tread: The horizontal member of the staircase that forms the portion of the stair upon which one walks.

Tread Brackets: A decorative molding which is fastened to the outside of the stringer.

Volute: A handrail fitting which is typically used on a starting newel and curves away from the stair in a circular manner.