Stair Fundamentals

Stairs for most homes are:

• L-Shaped with one platform

• U-Shaped with one platform

• Straight with no platform

• Winders

The simplest stairway is the:

• Cleat stairway

• Open Stairway

• Reverse Stairway

• Housed stairway

A complete stairway includes at least this number of saw toothed edge stringers

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

Some stairway treads and risers are supported on these shaped blocks nailed to the upper edges of the stringers:

• Square

• Rectangular

• Triangular

• Diamond

The horizontal face of one step is called:

• Tread

• RIser

• Nosing

• Platform

This is the main post of the railing at the start of the stairs

• Newel

• Baluster

• Nosing

• Cantilever

This is the intermediate are between two parts of a flight of stairs:

• Landing

• Tread

• Platform

• Nosing

Radiating treads at the turn in a set of stairs are called:

• Wedges

• Shims

• Platforms

• Winders

Headroom is measured from the lowest point of the soffit or ceiling directly overhead to the:

• Top side of the newel

• Topside of the handrail

• Bottom edge of the riser

• Outside edge of the tread

Treads on a stairway should be:

• 9" wide

• Non-slippery

• Glazed tile

• Riser height