Glossary Of Building Terms

Arcade:A series of arches supported by columns or piers, it may be attached to a wall or freestanding

Arch:A method of spanning an opening, usually a curved or pointed structural member; however, there are many different types

Balusters:A small post, which supports the upper rail of a railing. Staircases and porches usually have balustrades

Bargeboard:Hangs from the projecting end of a gable roof and are often elaborately carved and ornamental

Base Board:Finish trim where the floor and walls meet

Basement:A story of a building that is wholly or partly below ground and has a slab bottom

Bay:A projection formed by three windows joined at obtuse angles

Beam Calculations:An analysis for the structural design of members supporting gravity loads

Board and Batten:Vertical siding where wood strips (battens) hide the seams where other boards are joined

Building Codes:A set of laws drafted by the governing town or city to control building construction, public health and safety

Bow:A curved projection formed by at least five windows joined at obtuse angles

Cantilever:A projecting element, such a beam or porch, supported at one end

Cedar Shingle:A roofing material made of durable pinewood

Cladding:The lightweight outer skin of a building that does not support the building but does keep the wind and rain out

Clerestory:An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows

Corbel:Stone or wood projecting from a wall for support or decoration

Corinthian Column:A column decorated at the top with scrolls or other lavish ornamentation

Crawlspace:The open space beneath the first floor in a home without a basement

Crown Molding:A molding where the wall and ceiling meet, uppermost molding on cabinetry

Cupola:A small, dome–like structure, on top of a building to provide ventilation and decoration

Dentil:one of a series of small projecting rectangular, tooth like, blocks forming a molding under an overhang, most common in Colonial-style homes

Dormer:A gable topped structure projecting from a roof, containing a window

Finial:A formal ornamentation fixed to the top of a peak, arch or gable

Footer:The concrete slab that supports all foundation walls

Footprint:The outline of a home’s foundation; this measures the home’s outermost points and is used for site planning

Gable:The vertical triangular end of a building, from the eaves to the ridge

Gable Roof:A roof consisting of two rectangular planes sloping up to a ridge, forming gables on both ends

Gambrel Roof:A roof with a lower, steeper slope and an upper, less steep slope on each of its two sides

Hip Roof:A roof with sloping ends and sloping sides that meet at a ridge

Keystone: A wedge shaped detail at the crown of an arch

Lanai:A patio or verandah

Loggia:A roofed, open gallery, often on an upper level

Niche:A recess in a wall to place decorations

Palladian Window:A three–part window where the center window is arched and wider than the two straight side windows

Pediment:A triangular space formed in the middle of a gable; also used as a decoration above a window

Pilaster:A column projecting only slightly from a wall, commonly used for decoration

Portico:A roof supported by columns; often used at an entry

Post and Beam Foundation:

Quoin:A large, square stone set into the corner of a masonry building; distinguished from the adjoining walls by material, texture or projection

Roof Pitch:Degree of roof slant stated in inches rise per foot

Shake Roof: A roof structure suitable for either shakes or asphalt composition shingles

Sidelight:A vertical window beside a door or another window

Snow Load: The design load used in the roof analysis based on the snow load. Our stock plans are designed for a 25# snow load and if your area is different, the structure will need to be re–analyzed

Transom Window:A narrow horizontal window above a door or window, named for the cross bar on which it rests

Tray Ceiling: A recessed ceiling resembling an upside-down tray

Truss Roof: This refers to a method of constructing the roof using engineered trusses that generally span from exterior wall to exterior wall, eliminating interior bearing walls

Turret:A small tower usually on the corner of a building, most common in Victorian–styled homes

Vaulted Ceiling:A ceiling that slopes up to a peak

Veranda:A roof–covered but otherwise open gallery, porch or balcony supported by posts

Volume Ceiling:Any ceiling higher than the standard 8 feet