Glossary of Architectural Terms

Apex: The highest point or peak in the gable Column: A vertical, cylindrical or square front. supporting member, usually with a classical Arcade: A range of spaces supported on piers capital. or columns, generally standing away from a wall Coping: The capping member of a wall or and often supporting a roof or upper story. parapet. Arch: A curved construction that spans an Construction: The act of adding to a structure opening and supports the weight above it. or the erection of a new principal or accessory Awning: Any roof like structure made of cloth, structure to a property or site. metal, or other material attached to a building Cornice: The horizontal projecting part crowning and erected over a window, doorway, etc., in the wall of a building. such a manner as to permit its being raised or Course: A horizontal layer or row of stones retracted to a position against the building, when or bricks in a wall. This can be projected or not in use. recessed. The orientation of bricks can vary. Bay: A compartment projecting from an exterior Cupola: A small structure on top of a roof or wall containing a window or set of windows. building. Bay Window: A window projecting from the Decorative Windows: Historic windows that body of a building. A “squared bay” has sides at possess special architectural value, or contribute right angles to the building; a “slanted bay” has to the building’s historic, cultural, or aesthetic slanted sides, also called an “octagonal” bay. If character. Decorative windows are those with segmental or semicircular in plan, it is a “bow” leaded glass, art glass, stained glass, beveled window. glass, prismatic glass, or specially shaped Baluster: An upright post supporting a rail or windows such as lancet, round-arched, oriel, balustrade; a banister. Palladian windows, etc. Balustrade: A row of balusters supporting a rail. Dentil: One of a series of small, square, tooth or Belt Course: A continuous horizontal band on an block-like projections forming a molding. Another exterior wall, usually of projecting masonry. Also reference is a “dentil course” when used as a called a “string course” and in some instances banding element on a building. marks the water table where the top edge of Design: The composition of elements that the basement level of a masonry building is constitute the form, plan, space, structure and identified. style of a property. Bond: A term used to describe the various Dormer: A roofed projection built into the slope patterns in which brick is laid. of a roof, usually containing a window. Bracket: Projecting support placed under eaves Drip Cap: a small, projected molding situated or other overhangs. above a door or window, designed to let water Bulkhead: The framed area below storefront flow beyond the outside of the frame. display windows. This area is part of the Eave: The part of a sloping roof that overhangs storefront and acts as a lower, horizontal wide the wall. frame edge for the display window. Generally Elevation: Any of the external faces of a finished in the same hue or color family as the building. upper window exterior casing, this area might Façade: The face or elevation of a building. have recessed or projecting panels and trim. Fascia: A projecting flat horizontal member Cantilever: A projecting element, “anchored” or molding that forms the trim of a flat roof or a in the body of the building, as in the case of a pitched roof; also part of a classical entablature. “cantilevered balcony.” Fenestration: the arrangement of windows on a Canopy: A roof like structure similar to an building. awning, except that it cannot be raised or Flashing: Thin sheeting used to direct water retracted to a position against the building. away from roof planes and roof/ wall junctures. Casement Window: A window sash that is Footprint: The outline of a building’s ground hinged on the side like a door. plan from a top view. Foundation: The lowest exposed portion of the Parapet: A low protective wall located at the building wall, that supports the structure above. edge of a roof. Frame Construction: A method of construction Pediment: A triangular piece framed by a in which the major parts consist of wood. horizontal base and two, sloping moldings; Frieze: A plain or decorative band or board usually decorative and placed above doors, located on the top of a wall just below the windows, mantels or niches cornice. Pitch: A term that refers to the steepness of roof Gable: The triangular end of an exterior wall slope. under a pitched roof. Pointing or “Tuck Pointing:” The process of Gable Roof: A sloping roof, usually with just two scraping out failing mortar between bricks back sides, that terminates at one or both ends in a to a stable point and inserting and filling with gable. new mortar that matches the makeup, color, and Hip Roof: A roof with four sloped sides. mixture of the original mortar. Hood Molding: A projecting molding above an Porte Cochere: a covered entrance large arch, doorway, or window, originally designed to enough for vehicles to pass through, typically direct water away from the opening; also called a opening into a courtyard. drip mold, dripstone, or drip cap. Portico: A roofed entrance porch, often Impermeable: Not permitting passage of water supported by columns or pillars. through its substance. Portland Cement: A strong, inflexible hydraulic Infill: Structures placed between buildings on a cement used to bind mortar. vacant lot within a neighborhood. Quoins: Decorative blocks of stone or wood Joint: The place where two materials meet. used on the corners of buildings. Keystone: The top or center member of an arch. Sash: The framework into which panes are set. Light: A section of a window single pane of Sidelights: A vertical, fixed sash situated along a glass. door or window, sometimes found in pairs. Lintel: A horizontal member, usually made of Siding: The exterior wall covering or sheathing stone or wood, that runs across the top of an of a structure. opening and carries the weight of the structure Spalling: The act of fragmenting of brick due to above it. mortar that is too hard to allow for contracting Load Bearing: Structural system or wall directly and expanding during changes in weather. carrying building load. Storefront: Area between the building piers, Mansard Roof: A roof with two slopes on all pillars, or pilasters that is generally glass sides, with the lower slope steeper than the and wood or metal framing generally used in upper slope. commercial buildings. Masonry: Brick, block, or stone that is secured String Course: A continuous horizontal band of with mortar. brick Massing: The bulk of a building. Structure: Anything constructed or erected, Molding: A decorative wood or stone contour or the use of which requires, directly or indirectly a band, used in exterior and interior architectural permanent location on or in the ground. elements. Stucco: Any kind of plasterwork, but usually an Mortar: A mixture of sand, lime, cement, and outside covering of Portland cement, lime, and water used as a binding agent in masonry sand mixture with water. construction. Surround: An encircling border or decorative Mullion: A vertical structural support between frame, usually around a window or door. windows or other openings. Transom: A small operable or fixed window Muntin: A strip that divides panes of glass in located above a window or door. windows or other openings. Vernacular: a regional form or adaptation of an Oriel: A window built out from a wall and usually architectural style supported by brackets. Weatherboard: Wood siding, usually overlapped, placed horizontally on wood-frame buildings. Often “beaded,” that is, finished with a projecting, rounded edge.