Throughout the website we’ve referred to different parts of the stairs. Here we’ll explain each part in a bit more detail. We’ll also provide some useful advice on staircase regulations which need to be adhered to in domestic projects. However, whatever the project or stage of build we have the technical knowledge and experience to address most of these issues and give the best practical advice in each unique situation.
Tread Plates
The tread is the actual step of the stairs, the part that supports your foot as you are climbing the stairs. All stair steps should be level and in the case of an open riser staircase (see below for explanation on rise) the nosing or front edge of the tread should overlap the back edge of the tread below it by at least 16mm. Ideally your step should be as deep is possible in the space available to make your stairs comfortable to climb and descend.
Rise
The rise is the height between the steps or the height of each staircase step. All steps must have the same rise. As per building regulations for stairs the maximum rise for a stairs is 220mm.
The rise of a step can be closed rise or open rise. If open rise, staircase regulations state that a 100mm sphere should not be able to pass through the opening. This is so that a child’s head can’t pass through the opening.
All our open rise stairs feature an opening of less that 99mm. This can be achieved in a number of different ways e.g. lip-down at front & lip-up at back of the step, by making use of a glass riser or making the nosing high enough to reduce the opening.
Balustrade
The balustrade is the railing or guarding of the staircase. From the Signature Stairs range it is generally stainless steel, glass or a combination of both. It normally runs the length of the stairs. As with the open rise in steps a 100 mm sphere should not be able to pass through any opening in the balustrade.
Handrail
The staircase handrail acts as support and can be fixed to (rebated over) or floating from the balustrade.
Going
The step going is the depth of the step. Again, staircase building regulations dictate a minimum going of 220 mm.
Staircase Stringer
The stringer supports the treads & risers. In a traditional stairs these supports will be left and right of the threads. In a staircase from the Signature Stairs range you have a number of options from traditional linear shaped to profile cut stringer which features a zig-zag side profile, central spine stringers or in the case of the cantilever a single concealed stringer.
Head Room
At least 2 metres of head room is required along all parts of the staircase.
Staircase Pitch
The pitch of a stairs is its slope. As per building regulations the maximum pitch of a staircase should not exceed 42 degrees.
Please note that regulations can be subject to change – figures quoted here are in line with current regulations at time of writing. For tips and helpful information on planning your stairs project check out our Advice page.
