TERMINOLOGY

Starting Easing With Cap
A starting fitting used on over-the-post staircases for situations in which something less dramatic than a volute or turnout is desired.

Rosette
The most popular method for securing over-the-post rails to walls.

Skirt Board
Usually a 1" x 12" trim board used against the wall and on the open side of a staircase.

Plowed vs. Unplowed Rails
Plowed handrails have a slot cut from their underside—plowed shoe rails from their top side—designed to receive the square end of balusters. The balusters are then locked in place. Small sections of fillet are used to fill in the slots between the balusters. Unplowed rails are drilled to receive the tapered end of balusters.

Treads and Risers
Treads are the actual horizontal step portions of a staircase, and risers are the vertical boards between the treads.

Starting Step
A round-end step assembly used as a platform to support volutes and turnouts.

Volute and Turnout Newels
Specially designed to sit on a starting step and to support volute and turnout fittings—usually 42" to 43" in height with 6" to 8" dowels for a starting step.

Gooseneck Riser
Section of gooseneck fitting that allows the rail to which it is connecting to remain parallel to the rise (angle of ascent) of the stairway.

NOTE: When trying to determine if you need a right- or left-hand fitting for a staircase, remember that fittings are always labeled as though you were standing at the bottom of the staircase, looking up.