Staircraft

Anatomy of a Staircase

Treads/steps are the horizontal staircase component that you walk or step on.  Typically they are 1" thick x 11 1/4" deep to allow for the 10" standard run dimension, and the 1 ¼" standard nosing overhang combined.  Standard Open Treads (shown in the drawing below) have an additional 1¼" return at the heel bringing the total depth to 12½".
Partial Treads, or False Treads are a segment of the finished tread used when an adjoining material (usually carpet) is mated to it.  Partial treads are rarely walked on and only serve a purpose of attaching the balustrade.
Full Treads are specifically full width treads that span the entire staircase.
Sub-Treads are the structural tread in the framing that supports the  finished full or partial tread.

A Starting Step is simply the decorative first step on a staircase that can be embellished with radius riser and tread, and used to support the balusters under a rail volute as shown here as a partial starting step.

This drawing shows 2 possibilities for tread construction on a typical staircase frame.

The Plywood Partial Tread is only an option for partial tread applications that are NOT walked on.  This type of tread is only used to imitate the function of a solid tread in a partial tread application.  The thin veneer of hardwood used in the manufacturing of hardwood plywood will not withstand daily foot traffic or future refinishing.  The use of solid hardwood treads in a partial or full tread application will take daily wear and allow the option of future sanding and refinishing.

this photo displays a partial solid tread with the end grain visible. (no mitered return)

A mitered tread return is an end cap of the same wood used to hide the end grain of the wood.

This photo is of a right hand plywood partial tread with a mitered return left long in manufacturing to allow for field cutting to size.

Anatomy of a Staircase   3 Basic Styles

Staircraft