Staircraft

Anatomy of a Staircase

Curb Caps and Shoe Rail:

A Curb Wall is a short segment of wall that reaches a height of a few inches above the floor or tread nosing.
A Curb Cap is the trim detail used to case a curb wall.  See Skirts and Risers
A Shoe Rail (with fillet) is often placed on top of a curb wall to receive the balusters.
see Shoe Rail and fillet photos

This is a variety of curb cap and shoe rail design options drawn in a cross-sectional view
on a 2x6 framed wall.  These designs will apply to any wall thickness.

1. This curb design utilizes 1/2" thick skirts and a rabbeted base cap moulding. Shown with an 1 1/4" shoe rail
2. curb shows 3/4" skirts and the use of a panel mould (PM5) as a base cap in the same flush wall cap and shoe rail detail as "A".
3.   see D
4. both of these sections depict an Arts and Crafts Movement style (simple line square edged look).  "D" has a plowed cap to receive the balusters to eliminate the need for a shoe rail and decrease the number of horizontal shadow lines generated by the shoe rail on "C".
5. Same as "B" except for the 1 3/4" shoe and alternate panel moulding (PM7)
6. similar to "D"= eliminated shoe rail, and the use of a PM2 moulding.

Note:
There are so many variations for this curb wall type of stair design. These options are just a few common ideas employed by past clients.  Check out the Photo Gallery to see some these designs in their completed form.    

 Anatomy of a Staircase   3 Basic styles

Staircraft