What is the half wall at the top of the stairs called?
pony wall
A half wall, knee wall or pony wall divides a room without turning it into two separate spaces. When installed at the top of a staircase, a half wall functions like a guard rail, directing people to the head of the stairs and preventing them from falling into the stairwell.
How do I stop my child from climbing over a banister?
Banister guards are clear plastic shields that are attached to the banister to create a solid barrier that prevents little heads and bodies from sliding in between. The banister guards also prevent your child from trying to climb up and over the rails.
What is the top part of the stairs called?
Staircase Basics The riser is the vertical surface of the stair. The tread on the other hand is the horizontal surface of the stair and the part of the stair you step on. Nosing is the portion of the tread that overhangs the front of the riser. Often a stair builder will talk about the rise and run of the stair.
What is code height for a half wall?
A common height for a half, pony or dwarf wall is 42″. This height is a code requirement minimum if it were along a balcony. In your case, being at the front entry you are free to build it any height you want. I would keep it at the 42″ height, or at least higher than the sofa you intend to place there.
Are half walls outdated?
Pony walls were famous back in the 1960s, so some people may think they’ve gone out of style by now. But believe it or not, these short, usually non-weight-bearing walls may have lots of useful and aesthetic purposes around your house. Pony walls are actually coming back in style in some home designs.
What is the standard height of a half wall?
about 3 to 4 feet tall
A half wall — sometimes called a knee wall — differs from a regular wall in height alone. Technically, a half wall can be any height short of the ceiling; realistically, most half walls are about 3 to 4 feet tall, depending on the wall’s purpose and location.
How do I make my child’s banister safe?
The fastest and most appealing answer would be to install plexiglass banister guards. The see-thru plexiglass barrier will ensure your baby doesn’t fall or get stuck between the railings. It will also prevent the climbers from trying to climb the railings.
How do you make a stair railing safe?
The process of installing the banister guard is quick and simple. Use a hole punch to create holes in the plastic and use zip ties to secure the plastic to the railing. Be sure to place the side of the plastic with the protective film on the outside, so that you can easily remove it after installation.
What is a skirt board?
A skirt board on your stairs is a long, unbroken piece of trim just for your stairs. It either stands alone against the wall along the closed-end of your stairs, or you can run your regular baseboard along the top of it to create an unbroken line of trim from floor to floor.
Can a half wall be used for stairs?
Half walls can also flank the stairs proper — with the top edge at an angle of 32 degrees, in parallel to the stairs. This type of half wall may serve as a aesthetic backdrop to the living room.
What to do with a half wall in Your House?
Try these half wall ideas for inspiration. If you have a half wall and you’re looking for ways to make it look, well, less like a half wall, adding railings could be the solution.
How big should a stairwell be in California?
California, for example, follows the IRC — International Residential Code — in asking that your half wall complete a stairwell that is 36 inches wide in the clear area above the handrail.
What kind of trim can you use on a half wall?
Board and batten is a common type of wainscoting, but you can use it on a half wall, too. Follow these instructions from The Home Depot to install board and batten, then choose a cap that fits your home style. This trim style will fit in almost any home, including one with a traditional look.