Before You Build a Staircase
No matter what type of staircase you plan to build, all stairs consist of the same fundamental components. It’s the staircase that will vary depending on the design of the house, the amount of space that’s available to build the staircase, the budget, etc.
Staircase building codes exist to minimize the risk of falls and injuries. It's important to follow your local building codes to ensure your staircase meets all of the necessary requirements. Once built, the stairs will also need to pass inspection to ensure they are in compliance.
Parts Necessary to Build a Staircase
A staircase is comprised of many parts. The elements work in tandem to help keep the staircase safe and functioning as it should be.
Tread
The tread is the flat, horizontal part of a stair and it’s the part you step on. This small platform connects one riser to the next. Treads need to be strong and wide enough to safely support your feet. They should also be deep enough for comfort, usually 10 to 11 inches.
Nosing
Nosing is the front edge of a stair tread that protrudes a little past the riser below it. It increases the step surface area, making it safer and gives the foot a more comfortable grip. It also reduces wear and tear on the tread and riser caused by foot traffic.
While not always required by code, many traditional residential stairs have nosing. Some modern or minimalist design stairs don’t. For homes with children and elderly individuals, nosing is a good option to have for safety reasons.
Risers
The riser is the vertical part of a step that goes straight up between one step and the next. It helps give the stair its height and helps support the tread. The riser determines the height of each step; typically, seven to eight inches.
Not all staircases have risers — those that don’t are called open-riser stairs and offer a more modern, visually lighter feel than traditional, closed-riser stairs.
Stairwell Header
The stairwell header is the structural piece that supports the weight of the floor above. It spans the opening at the top of the staircase and prevents the floor from collapsing. The stringers attach to the header.
Stringers
Stringers make up the main structure of the staircase. Stringers are the long, angled boards that run along each side of the stairs. The treads and risers are attached to the stringers, making the stringers the main structural elements that support the staircase.
Usually there’re two stringers (one on each side), but wider stairs might have a third one in the middle for extra support.
Curtail Step
The curtail step is the first step at the bottom of a staircase. It’s usually wider than the other steps and is often decorative, supporting the newel post and ensuring the stability of the staircase.
Newel Post
Newel posts are the big, sturdy posts that sit at the top and bottom of a staircase. They’re the main supports for the handrail and baluster. They also help keep the railing system strong and stable.
A newel post is usually thicker and more decorative than other posts, and it’s typically going to be the first thing you see when you look at a staircase.
Balusters
Balusters are the vertical posts that connect at the top to the handrail and at the bottom to the tread or the base rail. They’re evenly spaced apart along the length of the railing, acting as a safety barrier. Balusters also add style and architectural flair to the railing. Baluster styles can range from traditional colonial to modern designs with clean lines.
You may also hear them called spindles, especially in more traditional or decorative staircases.
Handrails
The handrail, also known as the rail or banister, is the part of the staircase that you hold onto as you go up or down the stairs. It runs along the top of the balusters and is used for balance, support and safety. Depending on the staircase layout and the building codes, some staircases have a handrail only on one side, while others have handrails on both sides. Some staircases, however, don't have balusters at all, so the rail is attached to the wall.
Balustrade
The balustrade is the entire railing system that includes the handrails, the balusters and the newel posts.
Landing
A landing is a level platform located between flights of stairs. It’s a place to rest, especially if the staircase is long. The landing is also a transition space that connects the staircase to hallways, rooms and even other levels.
Skirtboard
A skirtboard (also called a stair skirt or apron) is a trim board that follows the angle of the staircase, running up the risers and along the treads of the staircase where the stairs meet the wall. While it’s mostly decorative, it does help to hide the gaps between the wall and the stairs, giving everything a clean, finished look.
Safety Checklist
- Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes from sawdust and debris when working with a saw.
- Wear a respirator when cutting lumber or MDF.
- Wear hearing protection when using power tools.
- When handling lumber, wear work gloves to protect your hands from splinters, cuts and abrasions.
- Inspect your tools before using them to make sure they’re in good working condition.
- Ensure you have good ventilation when cutting components and using glue, stain, etc.
- Always check that your work surfaces are stable.
Build a Staircase You’ve Been Waiting For
While a staircase serves a functional purpose, it can also make an architectural statement. Depending on the amount of space you have, there are many varied staircase styles you can choose to build, from U-shaped to winder to spiral. Whether you want to build a staircase from scratch or build one using a staircase kit, building a staircase is a complex and labor-intensive undertaking. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer (DIYer) with carpentry experience and a clear understanding of building codes, this might be a project you want to tackle, but if time and experience aren’t on your side, hire a professional.