GLOSSARY GLOSSARY OF ARCHITECTURAL TERMS OF ARCHITECTURAL TERMS Arcade: A series of arches usually thicker along the bottom Finial: A sculptured ornament, Molding: A slender strip of supported by pillars, piers or edge, used as siding for the often in the shape of a leaf or ornamental material with a columns. A roofed passageway exterior of a wood-framed flower, at the top of a gable, uniform cross section and or lane. structure. pinnacle, spire, or similar decorative profile. structure. Muntin: A bar member supporting Articulated: Characterized by Corbel: A projecting bracket of stone, brick, or wood that Gable: The part of the wall and separating panes of glass in a distinct details, features, window or door. textures, or forms in relation to supports a cornice, arch or oriel, immediately under the end of a the whole facade. a stepped projection from a wall. pitched roof, cut into a triangular Oriel: A bay window supported shape by the sloping sides of the Cornice: A continuous, molded from below by corbels or Asymmetry: Lack of balance or roof. brackets. correspondence of form on projection from a wall, usually opposite sides of a dividing masonry. Gable roof: A pitched roof having Pane: One of the divisions of a plane. a gable at each end. window or door, consisting of a Cresting: A decorative top border, single unit of glass set in a frame. Balconet: A pseudo-balcony, a frequently perforated, on a Gambrel roof: A ridged roof with small window balcony or a guard screen, roof or wall. two slopes on either side, the Parapet: A low guarding wall at rail fronting a window. lower slope having the steeper any point of sudden drop, as at Cross gable: Intersecting pitched pitch. the edge of a roof. Baluster: A pillar or column roofs having gables at each end. supporting a handrail or coping, Gingerbread: Heavily, gaudily, Pediment: A triangular gable cross a series of such being called a Dentil: A small rectangular block superfluously ornamentation a portico, door or window; any balustrade. or tooth-like cube used in a commonly used in Victorian similar triangular decorative series forming a cornice. architecture. piece over a doorway, fireplace, Bay window: A window etc. projecting from the building Dormer: A projecting structure Having a timber built out from a sloping roof, Half timbered: Perforated: Pierced with holes, a facade. framework with the spaces filled row or rows of small holes. usually housing a vertical window with masonry or plaster. Detail Bracket: A projection from a or ventilating louver. Pergola: An arbor or a passageway vertical surface providing creating the appearance of Double hung: A window with exposed structural timbers on of columns supporting a roof of structural or visual support trellis work on which climbing under cornices, balconies, or any two sashes (the framework in plaster. which window panes are set), plants are trained to grow. other overhanging member. Hipped roof: A roof with four each moveable by means of Pier: A vertical structural member. Casement window: A window cords and weight. sloped sides. Pilaster: A shallow rectangular frame hinged on one side so that Lintel: a supporting wood or stone it swings out or in to open. Dutch gable: A gable each side of column projecting only slightly which is multi-carved and beam across the top of an from a wall and, in classical Chamfered: The edge of a corner surmounted by a pediment. opening, such as that of a architecture, conforming to one of wood, stone, or other window or door or fireplace. of the orders. Eaves: The part of a sloping roof material that is beveled or angled Massing: the unified composition off, usually at a 45 degree angle. that overhangs the wall. Porte cochere: A roofed of a structure’s volume, affecting structure covering a driveway to Clapboard: Narrow, horizontal Facade: The exterior face of a the perception of density and provide shelter while entering or overlapping wooden boards, building. bulk. leaving a vehicle. 21 22 GLOSSARY OF ARCHITECTURAL TERMS Portico: A roofed entrance porch means of the removal of later supported on at least one side by work or by replacement of columns. missing earlier work. Preservation: The act or process Sash: A frame in which the panes of applying measures to sustain of a window are set. the existing form, integrity, and material s of a building or Scale: Proportionate size judged in structure. relation to an external point of reference. Quoin: Heavy blocks of stone or brick forming a unique design to Shiplap: Wooden siding rabbeted accentuate the corners of a so that the edge of one board building. overlaps the one next to it in a flush joint, a beveled jointing of Rafter: Any of a series of small, two boards to form a weather- parallel beams for supporting the resisting outside wall surface. sheathing and covering of a pitched roof. Sidelight: A vertical window along Rafter tail: The portion of a rafter the outside of a door. that projects under the eave. Soffit: The exposed under side of Rehabilitation: The act or an architectural feature such as process of returning a property an arch, cornice, balcony or to a state of utility through repair beam. or alteration which makes Spindles: The slender possible an efficient architectural ornaments made of contemporary use while wood turned on a lathe in simple preserving those portions or or elaborate patterns, round features of the property which turned balusters. are significant to its historical, architectural or cultural value. Symmetry: Correspondence of form on opposite sides of a Renovation: The act or process of returning a property to a state dividing line or plane. of utility through repair or Transom window: A window or alteration which makes possible pane above a door. a contemporary use. Turret: A tower that is part of a Restoration: The act or process building, often rounded and of accurately recovering the corbeled from a corner. form and details of a property and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by 23 a.