a handrail on a staircase or porch a vertical post on each side of the stairs horizontal bars running between the posts ornamental balusters between the handrail and the steps finials or newel posts at the top and bottom of the handrail
bannister which is a handrail on a staircase or porch bannister which is a vertical post on each side of the stairs bannister which has horizontal bars running between the posts bannister which has ornamental balusters between the handrail and the steps bannister which has finials or newel posts at the top and bottom of the handrail