A 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