Rail Fittings
Volute
A volute is used in over the post application on a single or double swell starting step to begin the rail system. A newel post will begin the balustrade followed by four or five balusters as the rail starts to ascend the staircase. The volute is manufactured as right hand or left hand depending on the specifications of the staircase. The volute pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is red oak.
Turnout
A turnout is a smaller less pronounced version of a volute. The application is the same. A turnout would begin the balustrade over a swell starting step with a newel post and two or three balusters as the rail ascends the staircase. The turnout is manufactured as right hand or left hand depending on the specifications of the staircase. The turnout pictured above left is our custom 327 profile. The wood species is white oak.
Starting cap
A starting cap is a third way to begin an over the post rail system. This fitting would be used on a squared starting step. The newel begins the balustrade underneath the circular portion of the starting cap with smaller balusters following the the rail as it ascends the stair. The starting cap pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is brazilian cherry.
Tandem Cap
A tandem cap is a fitting used to join segments of rail divided for structural or design purposes. The tandem cap allows a newel to be secured underneath the circular portion. The tandem cap pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is american cherry.
Easing/Over Easing
An easing will always be joined to another fitting such as a volute, turnout, starting cap, or straight rail (to form a gooseneck). An easing allows the rail system to transition from level to pitch as it ascends the stair. An over easing is the converse of an easing. An over easing would take the place of a gooseneck at the head of a flight of stairs as the pitch rail transitions to level rail. The easing pictured above left is 325 profile. The wood species is mahogany.
Gooseneck
A gooseneck is an easing attached to a piece of straight rail. This fitting is the transition piece between pitch rail and level rail at the head of any flight of stairs not implementing the use of wall rail. The gooseneck pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is red oak.
Quarter Turn
A quarter turn allows the rail system to turn a 90 degree corner. Quarter turns are almost always used in conjunction with wall rail (no balusters) as the piece that breaks 90 degrees and terminates into the wall at the foot or head of the stair. The quarter turn pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is cumaru.
Quarter Turn with Cap
A quarter turn with a cap is similar to the quarter turn in that directs the rail around a 90 degree turn. However a quarter turn with cap will always have a newel post and balusters beneath the rail. This is not always the case with a quarter turn. The quarter turn with cap pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is walnut.
45 Degree Turn
A 45 degree turn allows the rail system to turn a 45 corner. This fitting is most often used in wall rail application to accommodate a stair layout that is not a traditional 90 degree turn. The fitting pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is white oak.
Offset or S-Turn
An offset or S-turn is a fitting that transitions between an open section of the stair that requires balusters to a portion of the stair between walls. The offset is manufactured as right hand or left hand depending on the specifications of the staircase. The offset pictured above left is our custom 320 profile. The wood species is walnut.
