DALTON, Ohio – What’s a standoff? What’s a skirt board?

Find these and definitions of 48 other common terms using the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association’s (SMA) Virtual Stair Tool. The tool is a digital glossary powered by an interactive 3D stair model.

The 3D anatomy of a staircase was developed in partnership with Staircon, a developer of stair design and manufacturing software.

A few of the terms included in the Virtual Stair Tool include:

Newel -- A newel, usually square in section, often made as a “box” with a hollow center, from boards joined at the corners.

Standoff -- A component or part to an assembly that functions to offset one part of the assembly from another.

Single mitered Return Tread -- A tread used on open stringer stairs with a return nosing applied to the end(s) to project over the open face string(s) matching the projection of the tread nosing at the riser.

Skirt Board -- A non-structural component used to trim the sides of stairs to which the treads and risers are fitted.

The SMA has also produced the short video below offering instructions on how to use the interactive tool.