The staircase: definitions

Staircases are made up of various elements, namely steps (or grades) in which various elements can be distinguished such as:

• The riser (or front of the step) which divides the height of the dis-level to be overcome into small increments that the legs can comfortably overcome by climbing up and down;
• The tread (or step surface), which is the horizontal projection between two successive steps and offers a flat and safe point of support for the foot. 

What you need to know about a staircase is

• The width which is the actual step size, usually about one metre for a normal sized staircase. More for a large staircase. 80 centimetres or less for a secondary staircase;
• The depth of the step: this is the space needed to rest the foot. About 30/35 centimetres for a medium-sized staircase. 

But you also need to know the designations of the other elements, such as:  

• The head, which is the part of the step that faces the stairwell; 
• The corner (or edge, or rod or cord) is the part that joins the tread and riser. It may be rounded, squared or protruding. Sometimes it can be fitted with a non-slip material such as rubber, plastic material or milled or embossed into the step itself.

Stairs: other terminology

• Steps

This is the basic element of the staircase in which we distinguish the riser and tread, the vertical and horizontal part of the step respectively. When we say "step width" we mean the measure of the longest side of the tread of the step, while "depth" is the shortest measure. The head of the step is the part that faces the stairwell. The edge of the step is the junction between the riser and tread. The last step of the staircase is called the 'stair head'.

• Invitation step

This is the name given to a particular step that, in addition to being the first step in the staircase, also has a more important shape than the other steps, generally to make access easier but also for aesthetic purposes, to give more importance to the object.

• Landing

This is the name given to the space at the end of the ramps; it is a larger step on which the ramps engage to change direction.

• Parapet or balustrade

A balustrade is the element that closes off the staircase to any free space (generally towards the stairwell) to protect the user from the risk of falling. The balustrade is made up of "posts", which are the supports attached to the ends of the ramps, and the "handrail", which is the element that serves as an aid for those using the staircase.

• Side rails

The side rail is the support for the steps, particularly on wooden or metal staircases.

• Water

When we talk about water or "giving water" in relation to a staircase we mean the need to give the step a forward slope in order to facilitate cleaning. For external stairs, "watering the step" also means preventing rainwater from collecting.

• Floor height

Floor height means the space that the ramp has to help overcome.

• Stairwell

This means the empty space in which the staircase is located. At the top you can find the "lantern", i.e. a skylight placed on the roof to illuminate the stairwell.

• Under stairs

This is the empty space under the first flight of stairs.

Stairs in the home: types

Staircases are those architectural elements that serve to connect floors at different levels by means of steps or staircases both inside buildings and outside.

Staircases can be distinguished and classified according to the following parameters:

• By location;
• The planimetric form;
• Number of flights;
• the direction of the route;
• By the shape of the steps;
• The material from which they are built;
• The construction system;
• The destination;
• The regulatory and normative characteristics.

Depending on the combination of these elements, there are many types of stairs, which are examined in this article: the different types of stairs

Cantilever or masonry stairs?

Of all the types of staircases seen in the previous article I linked to, the most common doubt is this: do I opt for a masonry staircase or a suspended staircase? Cantilever (or suspended) staircases are the most modern and in vogue, while masonry staircases are part of the tradition and can offer pleasant architectural surprises. 

Read more about this topic here: cantilever or masonry stairs?

Home staircase: design and functionality

Building a staircase for a home means having to deal with constantly changing contexts, changing layouts, room arrangements, colours, furnishings... proposing repetitive solutions would be decidedly limiting.

This is why the solution must be tailor-made, conceived and designed according to the specific requirements of the individual customer. Each staircase will therefore be a unique piece, calibrated to your needs and tastes, designed specifically for you. 

In this article we talk about the aesthetic impact of the staircase: the home staircase: structural and design element

Interior stairs: materials

The load-bearing structure of the staircase must be strong and very solid. Depending on the type of staircase chosen, it may be made of masonry, wood or metal, usually steel, which is used to make suspended staircases. 

The steps, on the other hand, must be resistant to the wear and tear caused by continuous treading and have non-slip characteristics. You will then have a wider choice including: wood, tiles, marble, natural stone, large slabs. Learn more about the material you prefer in the following articles: 

Disadvantages and problems of the staircase

The main problem is that stairs do not allow people with different types of physical disabilities to climb up or down, unlike lifts or ramps. In addition, if we need to reach the upper floors of a building - and we need to climb more than two or three floors - using a staircase is tiring (especially for older people). It is also dangerous to stumble and it can be dangerous because of the more or less angular edges of the steps.

These two factors, the danger of falling and fatigue, are minimised if the proportions of the steps are (1) comfortable and at the same time (2) uniform throughout the staircase.

We have all come across stairs that are uncomfortable, too steep or steps that are too low, forcing us to walk in an affected manner (it makes us feel ridiculous, but we also perceive the risk of falling). Even the slightest change in height of a single step can cause us to stumble uphill or slip downhill.

We have addressed these issues in specific articles that help us to build stairs that are perfect for walking:

how to calculate the footsteps and height of a stairway andhow to calculate the width of the stairway

Staircase wall covering

The staircase wall covering is another element that an interior designer has to take care of. They can be made of different materials and in different styles.
Below are two of the most popular wall coverings used by our customers and by us for this part of the house: