Encinitas Stair Builder | Stair Contractor in Encinitas

Remodeling a new staircase can be difficult task. Before you meet with your stair contractor for staircase remodeling ideas you should familiarize yourself with the different parts in a custom staircase remodel. These parts will help you come up with a finalized staircase design.

Baluster: A vertical member used between railing and tread or floor. Balusters provide support, safety and stability to the balustrade.

Balustrade: The name for a complete assembled rail system.

Bow newel: A large square newel that is hollow inside, used at starting steps or in post to post balustrades.

Box stair: A stair where the stringers house the treads and risers, forming a box like unit.

Bracket: Generally referred to as a tread or stringer bracket; this is a scroll shaped ornament fastened to an open stringer.

Cap: The round portion of a fitting which flares, permitting the fitting to set onto the top of a newel post. Cap fittings are used in an over the post balustrade system.

Cove molding: A trim molding used to finish the joint where the face of the riser and the underside of the tread join.

Easing: That portion of a fitting which curves upward or downward, permitting the handrail to deviate from the rake of the staircase. Easing create a smooth transition, so that the hand can glide across the rail as it changes direction.

Fillet: A thin molding that is fitted into plowed handrail and shoe rail between balusters.

Gooseneck: A fitting used where the rake rail must rise vertically to meet a balcony or landing. Goosenecks can also facilitate directional changes.

Hand rail: The rail used as a hand hold or support in balustrade systems.

Landing newel: The longer newel post used at landing and balconies where the rake rail changes direction or pitch and then continues on. The length of the newel is governed by the number of risers at the point of vertical transition.

Landing tread: A nosed and rabbeted tread like molding used to form a finished surface at landing and balconies.

Level quarter turn: A fitting that permits level handrail to turn 90 or 135 degrees, available with or without cap.

Level rail: Handrail used on the level portion of a balustrade.

Newel: A vertical post used to start a post to post balustrade, also used at points of vertical and directional change. Newel posts provide the majority of the structural rigidity of a balustrade system.

Open stair: A staircase where the stringer has been cut out so that the stair treads are exposed on one or both sides of the staircase.

Over the post: A balustrade system which uses fittings on top of newel posts, creating an uninterrupted handrail.

Contact one of our experienced stair builders today for any questions you may have!

Staircase Architecture | Stair Builder | Murrieta California

Make sure you find a quality stair builder! The stairway is one of the most important elements of any household. Staircases link two or more floors and it can be built and finished with different kinds of materials. A staircase can be designed to be either modern and simple or grand and elaborate. Here are some popular architectural designs for different types of stairs:

Straight Stairs
-Simplest design, no turns and used most in home construction by stair contractors
-Easy to construct and less expensive

L-Shaped Stair (Quarter-Turn Stair)
-One landing at some point along the flight of steps
-Useful when the space required for a straight stairway is not available
-Possible to be located in the corner
-Provision of resting place and the reduced distance of fall

U (Double L – Shaped) stairs (half –turn stair)
-Two flights of steps parallel to each other
-180 degree turn at one large central landing
-Useful when there’s a need for many raisers requiring a small floor space

Winder Stairs
-Pie-shaped stairs which are substituted for a landing
-Less space required then L and double L stairs

Spiral and Circular Stairs
-Circular stairs: sweeps in a broad curve from one level to another
-Spiral stairs: twists around a center pole and steps radiate outwards
-It can be used where little space is available
-Suitable for access to a variety of floors such as attics, basements and lighthouses
-Very nice aesthetics

A well designed staircase can enhance the home’s foyer without altering the floor plan. The right design can give your stairway more style, distinction and value. Take into account things such as affordability, flexibility, and safety when designing your staircase and choosing the right stair builder.