Stairs are a structure designed to bridge a large vertical distance between lower and higher levels by dividing it into smaller vertical distances. This is achieved as a diagonal series of horizontal platforms called steps which enable passage to the other level by stepping from one to another step in turn. Steps are very typically rectangular. Stairs may be straight, round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles.
The steel square is a tool used in carpentry. Carpenters use various tools to lay out structures that are square, many of which are made of steel, but the name steel square refers to a specific long-armed square that has additional uses for measurement, especially of various angles. It consists of a long, wider arm and a shorter, narrower arm, which meet at an angle of 90 degrees. Today the steel square is more commonly referred to as the framing square or carpenter's square, and such squares are no longer invariably made of steel ; they can also be made of aluminum or polymers, which are light and resistant to rust.
The Loretto Chapel is a former Roman Catholic church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, that is now used as a museum and a wedding chapel.
A baluster is an upright support, often a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its construction are wood, stone, and less frequently metal and ceramic. A group of balusters supporting a handrail, coping, or ornamental detail is known as a balustrade.
This page is a glossary of architecture.
A stair rod, also commonly referred to as a carpet rod, is an ornamental decorative hardware item used to hold carpeting in place on steps.. Traditionally, stair rods were used to hold a carpet runner in place on stairs, but with superior carpet installation techniques and more rigid safety standards today, stair rods serve primarily a decorative purpose. Stair rods are however still an integral part of many installation techniques. They hide dimples in the carpet runner caused by installation staples or nail heads and they are also often required to conceal a pattern mismatch when the carpet runner is cut during installation at each step where the tread meets the riser.
The principal or Jordan Staircase of the Winter Palace, St Petersburg is so called because on the Feast of the Epiphany the Tsar descended this imperial staircase in state for the ceremony of the "Blessing of the Waters" of the Neva River, a celebration of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River. The staircase is one of the few parts of the palace retaining the original 18th-century style. The massive grey granite columns, however, were added in the mid 19th century.
Tulip Hill is a plantation house located about one mile from Galesville in Anne Arundel County in the Province of Maryland. Built between 1755 and 1756, it is a particularly fine example of an early Georgian mansion, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 for its architecture.
The United States Post Office and Court House is a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky located in Lexington, Kentucky. Built in 1934, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The Isaac Young House is an historic wood frame house on Pinesbridge Road in New Castle, New York, United States. It was built about 1872 in the Second Empire style. Its owner, Isaac Young, was a descendant of early settlers in the area. He chose the Second Empire style, more commonly found in cities and villages than on farms, possibly as a way of demonstrating his affluence. The present structure appears to incorporate parts of a vernacular late 18th-century farmhouse, leaving several anomalies in the current house as a result. The house's position atop a low hill would have, in its time, given it a commanding view of the region, including the Hudson River and New York City's skyline.
Alexandra Building is a heritage-listed commercial building at 451–455 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Toowoomba architect Henry James (Harry) Marks and built in 1902 by James Renwick. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 16 October 2008.
Farrington House is a heritage-listed detached house at 39 David Street, Alderley, Queensland, Australia. It was built c. 1882. It is also known as Clifford House. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Langham Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 133 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Dornbusch & Connolly and built from 1912 to 1913. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. It is now home to a registered club, the Condamine Sports Club.
Crawford and Co Building is a heritage-listed commercial building at 216 Mary Street, Gympie, Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hugo Durietz and built from 1881 to 1885. It is also known as Goldsworthy Building, Caston and Davidson Building, and Sym and Jackson Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 15 July 2011.
Tozer's Building is a heritage-listed office building at 218 Mary Street, Gympie, Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Richard Gailey and built in 1896. It is also known as Jeffery & Cuddihy Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 15 July 2011.
Post Office Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at Bazaar Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Victor Emmanuel Carandini and built in 1889 by Mr Murray. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Nosing is the horizontal, protruding edge of a stair where most foot traffic frequently occurs.
A stair tread is the horizontal portion of a set of stairs on which a person walks. The tread can be composed of wood, metal, plastic, or other materials. In residential settings, treads can be covered in carpeting. Stair treads can come in non-slip varieties, particularly in commercial or industrial locations.
Muswellbrook Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 7 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 08 November 2011.
Dust corners are triangle-shaped pieces, usually made of brass or nickel, that are used to prevent dust from accumulating in corners. Stair dust corners are used on staircases at the point where the tread, riser, and stringer meet. Dust corners make household chores such as sweeping and vacuuming more convenient. Stair dust corners originated in the 1880s, during the Victorian era. Dust corners typically have a small hole in the middle so a nail can be hammered into the stairs. Gail Caskey Winkler, author of Victorian Interior Decoration, believes dust corners originated in response to the public's new knowledge of the germ theory of disease.
A sketch of a stair with two quarter space landings showing three types of newel posts.
The joint between the string and newel as seen from the stairwell.
The joint between the string and newel as seen from the stair.
Illustration of a box newel
A cast iron spiral staircase showing the central newel post that supports the treads, risers and balustrade.
Central newel of spiral staircase at Fort Benjamin Hawkins
There is no newel in Loretto Chapel's spiral staircase (the "Miracle stair") in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
