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DALLAS HOME DESIGN GLOSSARY
Awning
Crank windows, hinged on the top, that open upward.
Bargeboard
Trim work at the top of gable end walls below the soffit.
Basement (Foundation)
A basement has a slab bottom, and it uses steel or engineered wood
members for floor framing. These members are stronger and span
farther, eliminating the need for a lot of columns. This in turn
opens up the basement and makes it functional
Bungalow (Home Style)
Popular in California, bungalows provide simple and affordable
middle class housing. They are small and easy to build with a square
floor plan, gables, usually one large middle dormer, and porches
with big square columns that are larger on the bottom. Bungalows are
usually 1200 square feet or smaller.
Cape Cod (Home Style)
Cape cods are generally symmetrical plans. The front door is in the
middle, and they usually have dormers. There is not a lot of
overhang or ornamentation, and it is typically one or one-and-a-half
stories.
Cased Opening
A doorway with no door, shown on the blueprint with two parallel
dashed lines.
Casement
Crank windows that are hinged on one side and open like a door. In
our plans, these windows usually go over the sink in the kitchen.
Circular (Stairs)
Stairs built on a radius.
Colonial (Home Style)
Dates back to historical New England. Two story home with a
symmetrical façade. The main roof ridge will run parallel to the
street. The main entry door is in the center of the façade, and
windows are symmetrically placed on either side. The second level
will have its windows symmetrically placed around the door as well.
Additional wings might be "tacked-on" to the house proper. Bedrooms
are typically on the second level.
Contemporary 70's (Home Style)
Clerestory windows, roofs that pitch in one direction, large
overhangs on just two sides of the home, vertical wood siding and
patches of stonework are the main characteristics. Solar adaptation
is also a key feature.
Contemporary 80's (Home Style)
Trendy details like glass block and pipe railings. Strong geometric
forms.
Contemporary Traditional (Home Style)
Traditional homes with modern design elements, particularly open
spaces.
Country (Home Style)
Typical country homes have a front porch, dormer(s), and a roof
ridge that runs parallel to the street. The most notable
characteristic is a large front porch with an open rail. "Dog-house"
dormers are frequently on the roof. The exterior material is usually
clapboard siding. Regardless of the size of the home, they appear to
be small and quaint. Historical country homes had a fireplace on
either side of the home to function as the heat source. The
historical country home also had a "dog trot" hallway, which was one
main hallway that runs through the middle of the house, also known
as a double loaded hallway. During warmer months, the front and rear
doors can be opened to allow a breeze to come through and cool the
house.
Crawl Space (Foundation)
A crawl space foundation means an elevated first floor system that
is usually high enough off of the ground to crawl beneath. Piers are
made up of 8" x 16" blocks, and the foundation wall is made up of
brick and 8" blocks. The foundation wall contains foundation vents,
which allow air to circulate throughout the foundation so that
moisture does not build up.
Dormer Windows
Also referred to as dog houses, dormer comes from the French word
dormir, which means "to sleep." Dormers are located on the second
floor, usually in bedrooms or bathrooms, and project through the
roof to provide a window in this space.
Double Hung Windows
Both lower and upper sashes can move up or down.
Early American (Home Style)
This is reserved for homes that are replicas of historic American
homes. A true Saltbox, Cape, or Federal home would be grouped
together in this category.
Eave
Made up of both the soffit and the fascia. This is the term that is
given to that edge of the overhang beyond the wall.
European (Home Style)
These are homes with a lot of visual excitement. There can be many
roof lines and generally many gables. The undulating façade gives it
a "castle" feel. The exterior material would be stone, brick,
stucco, or a combination of two or more materials.
Farmhouse (Home Style)
This is an adaptation of the "country" home. The main difference
between a country house and a farmhouse is that a farmhouse has a
wraparound porch. The porch wraps around the home. The roof ridge
runs parallel to the street with or without dormers. The roof pitch
breaks to a shallow pitch at the porch. One main roof covers the
main body of the home. The exterior material is clapboard siding.
Fascia
Runs horizontally across the ends of the roof rafters ends, creating
the "edge" of the roof.
Fixed Windows
These windows cannot be opened.
Floor Framing
Built up on the foundation wall and piers out of 2 x 10 floor joists
and beams. The direction and the length of the framing are shown on
the blueprints, and they typically are placed 16 inches apart.
Footing
Trenches of poured concrete around the perimeter of the house and
below each pier or column that supports and distributes the weight
of the house to the ground. Two steel rods, known as rebar, run
through the trench of the foundation.
Foundation
Technically, the foundation is the part of a building that meets the
ground, where all loads are transferred to the ground.
Friezeboard
Trim work that follows the eve horizontally below the soffit on the
wall.
Gable Roof
A roof that consists of two sloping planes that meet at the ridge
(peak). The planes are supported at their ends by triangular, upward
extensions of walls known as gables.
Hip Roof
A roof that consists of four sloping planes that meet at the ridge
(peak). The roof seems to sit on top of the supporting walls,
creating a pyramid shape when viewed from the side.
Hopper
Crank windows, hinged on the bottom, that open outward from the top.
Load Bearing Walls
Load bearing walls carry the load from above, down to the
foundation. Load bearing walls brace from the floor to the roof.
They are noted on the blueprint with hatch lines.
Mediterranean (Home Style)
Warm climate homes with many windows and an open floor plan. The
exterior is usually stucco with a tile roof. A hip roof with large
overhangs is most common. Some of these elements are characteristic
of the Southwestern home style also.
Overhang
Part of the roof that hangs over the wall.
Palladian Window
One larger window with a circle top window above and flanked by two
smaller, rectangular windows. These are usually fixed windows.
Rake
Refers to the slope of the roof at the end of a gable, where the
outside part of the overhang forms an upside down V.
Ranch (Home Style)
Single level home with a low pitched roof that runs parallel to the
street. These homes tend to be long and narrow, with the longest
dimension facing front. Porches may or may not be present.
Risers (Steps)
Height of the step, which varies per house (vertical surface).
Salt Box (Home Style)
Early American home that is one-and-a-half stories and looks like a
trapezoid when viewed from the side. It is two stories in the front,
and the back slopes down to one story.
Scissors (Stairs)
Also known as U-shaped stairs, scissors stairs reverse direction
half way up to return back the way it started.
Shed (Roof)
A shed is actually a half gable. One slopping plane is supported by
walls. This usually comes off the back side or out of another roof.
Shed roofs are also used over some porches.
Single Hung Windows
Only the bottom sash moves up and down, the top is fixed.
Slab (Foundation)
For a slab foundation, the site is leveled off, and a trench is dug
around the perimeter of the home site. Gravel is then spread across
the site, and concrete is poured approximately four inches thick
over wire mesh and a moisture barrier. In areas of load bearing
walls, trenches need to be dug to allow for additional thickness at
this location. Slab foundations have no piers or floor joists, and
the concrete slab is the floor system.
Sliders
Windows that slide open, like sliding glass doors.
Soffit
The underside of the roof overhang or porch ceiling that covers the
rafter bottoms. This horizontal surface usually has vents to allow
air into the attic.
Straight Run (Stairs)
These are just like they sound, they run straight up to the second
floor.
Traditional (Home Style)
These homes usually do not have porches, but several will have
covered entryways. They usually have hip main roofs and bold, front
facing gables.There will be several main ridge lines running both
parallel and perpendicular to the street. The exterior material
could be clapboard or masonry (brick,stucco, stone). These homes
strive for a grand appearance.
Treads (Steps)
Top of the step, usually 10-½ inches to 11 inches deep (horizontal).
Vacation (Home Style)
These are usually very open houses that may be elevated off the
ground. They tend to have a modern or cottage feel.
Victorian(Home Style)
Gingerbread detailing is the key element. Most have multiple roof
lines withvarying roof pitches. Some have octagonal turrets
(towers). The exterior is always clapboard. Lattice work and
decorative railings are often used.
Winders (Steps)
Steps that wind around a corner or post, turning 90 degrees from the
original direction and typically having several triangular shaped
treads at the turn.
Covered Front Porch
By this definition we mean a porch that is big enough to sit on and
drink lemonade. Entries that are simply covered enough to get out of
the rain have been excluded from this definition.
Wrap-around Porch
In this category, we have included any house with a porch that
'wraps' from the front to the side or sides, even if it doesn't wrap
all of the way to the back and join up with a rear porch.
Covered Rear Porch
Similar to a covered front porch, a covered back porch is one that
is large enough to provide ample escape from the hot summer sun or
shelter from the spring rain plus a protected spot for you barbecue.
Screened Porch/Sunroom
Any space that either allows ample sunshine or protection from pesky
mosquitoes is included in this category. Often this space is not
included in the total square footage as it is most often not heated
or cooled space.
Breezeway
A breezeway is a covered portion of open space that connects a
detached garage to the main house. This can be as narrow as a
hallway or be wide enough to create at comfortable outdoor living
space.
Courtyard
A courtyard most often occurs on homes that have a broad expanse in
the front or rear. Often adorned with a fountain this space is the
focal point of the home.
Suited for a View Lot
To qualify for this category, we have chosen homes that have the
majority of their living spaces positioned in such a way to take
advantage of a view. This can be from any direction, not just out
the back. Many beautiful view properties have their views out the
front.
Suited for a Narrow Lot
It seems like building lots in more and more subdivisions are
becoming smaller and smaller. If you have one of these lots, this
will help you save a little time by only showing you homes that are
no wider that 50'-0".
Suited for a Sloping Lot
This category includes homes that fit well into a sloping lot.
Ranging from a full slope to the rear of the house creating a
"daylight basement" to a simple side-to-side slope that maybe has a
garage tucked under a portion of the house.
Suited for a Corner Lot
This category includes homes that have any type of garage or carport
that enters from the side while the main "front" of the house faces
the street. This includes basement garages, drive under carports and
the like. It also includes homes that have an obvious fit to a
corner, as well as homes that have two prominent facades that are
attractive from two adjacent sides.
Suited for a Vacation Home
You may have already noticed, but we have a special category for
vacation homes. This definition is used on houses that we feel
shouldn't be excluded from the mainstream market, but that we also
feel would make a great vacation get away.
KITCHEN TERMS:
Island
A free- standing cabinet in the center of the kitchen that often
includes an eating bar and room for bar stools. It can also include
a smaller salad sink, or the cook-top.
Peninsula/Eating Bar
Similar to the island, a peninsula is attached to the main cabinets
and is open to only three sides. Most often a peninsula will include
an overhanging eating bar that allows room for bar stools, but not
always. The sink or cook-top can also be located here.
Walk-in Pantry
A generous storage area either in, or adjacent to the Kitchen.
Unlike a cabinet attached to the others in the Kitchen, a walk-in
pantry can also include a bake center and provides an abundance of
storage space.
Nook/Breakfast
This term is reserved for a space that is adjacent to the Kitchen
that is used for casual dining, and identified only when it is in
addition to a formal Dining Room.
Butler's Pantry
This is a space that is located between the Kitchen and Dining Room.
It features cabinets and usually a serving area that serves as a
staging area to the Dining Room. It can include amenities such as a
wine refrigerator, warming drawers, China storage, etc.
GARAGE TERMS:
Side Entry Garage
This term refers to a garage whose doors are not located in the
front facade of the house. They can be located facing the side of
the property making them well suited to a corner lot or one that is
wide enough to allow for backing out space. The doors in this type
of garage can also be located on the side facing inward to where
cars enter past the front entry to drive into the garage.
Rear Entry Garage
Similar to the side entry garage, this garage has doors that are not
visible from the front. This type of garage is well suited to corner
lots or lots with alley access.
Rear Garage
Similar to the previous two, this term refers only to a garage that
is located to the rear of the home regardless of the door location.
Tandem Garage
This type of garage is most often used with homes that are to be
built on narrow lots, but an oversized garage is still desired. It
provides a similar amount of square footage as a three or more car
garage, but will only have the ability to enter through two doors.
The disadvantage is that a car (or cars) would have to be parked
behind one another.
Oversized Garage
This refers to any garage that is larger than the normal 2-car type.
It can be big enough for 3 or more cars or space for storage or even
a workshop.
Detached Garage
This is a garage is, obviously, not connected to the house
regardless of its location. It often is connected to the house with
an open breezeway.
Garage Under
This type of garage is well suited to homes that are going to be
built on sloping lots. Most designs of this type are for lots that
slope up from the street, but can also be good for lots that slope
to one side or the other or even the rear.
Carport
This is simply a garage without walls. It is a very economical
method of providing protection from the elements for you and your
car.
Workshop
This is space usually adjacent to the garage but can also be located
in an unfinished basement. It is space that is well suited for
crafts and hobbies.
INTERIOR TERMS:
Volume/Vaulted Ceilings
This refers to any ceilings that are over 9'-0" or sloping. This can
range from just being enough higher to create a greater sense of
spaciousness to allowing you to look down into a room from an upper
floor.
Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans flow with today's casual lifestyles. They combine
single-purpose spaces to make multifunction gathering areas--so the
cooks aren't isolated in the kitchen while the rest of the family is
in the next room playing video games. But openness doesn't stop
there; it also means you'll want spacious, sunny rooms.
Great Room
This space truly is the biggest room in an average-size home and
accommodates a wide variety of functions. A great room typically
handles the functions of the living/family room with casual dining
spaces, entertainment centers, and visibility to the kitchen areas.
Family Room
A casual living space, usually adjacent to the kitchen and nook
where most of the family activities take place. Most often located
to the rear of the home with access to the back yard.
Bonus Room
This refers to any space that can be finished later. Most often
located over a garage or in an unfinished daylight basement. It is
most often not included in the listed square footage.
Den/Office/Computer
This term refers to a variety of spaces. It be a private room that
can be closed off from the daily chaos, or serve as the location of
the family computer. Speaking of computers, we also use this
category for the kid's computer alcove that is becoming more and
more popular.
Exercise
A space for those with New Years resolutions hanging over their
heads. It also serves some of us with a great place to store all of
that pesky exercise equipment.
Hobby/Recreation Room
This is most commonly a space that is a bit more casual than a
Family Room and is often located away for the main floor. This can
either be in a basement or upper floor. It's a great space for the
kids to scatter their stuff.
Loft/Balcony
We use the term 'balcony' to refer to any space that looks down to
another, whether inside or out. It can be a transition space in a
second floor that looks down into a Great Room, or an exterior deck
that looks over the duck pond. The term 'loft' is used to describe a
second floor space that is most often seen in vacation type houses
and usually is open to the floor below.
Upstairs Laundry
A fairly obvious one. A growing number of people prefer this
arrangement because upstairs is most often the source of most of the
laundry.
Friend's Entry
This term refers to a casual entrance usually located on the side
and close to the garage entrance. It is often considered a 'mud
room' with laundry facilities included, or more of a tidy entrance
for guests to use without walking around to the front door. It is
most often seen on homes with a side entry garage.
Media Room
This is most often a space for all the high-tech gadgets, big screen
TV, home theater and video games. In its extreme, this space can
acoustically designed to be just like going to the movies.
Library
A space that is normally set off from the normal noise as a quite
space for reading or study.
BEDROOM TERMS:
Main Floor Master
This term is only used for 2 story homes with the master bedroom
suite on the main floor. If you only have one story, the master is
obviously located on the main floor.
Walk-in Closet
This is a bedroom closet that you can walk into. (You don't need
help with this one.)
Master Sitting Area
This is a nice space to have a chair and side table to read the
paper while the 'Missus' is getting ready.
Nursery
This term refers to a separate room that is usually adjacent to and
accessible from the master bedroom for the little ones to be in
until they start making too much noise.
Split Bedrooms
This term most often refers to an arrangement in which the master
bedroom is on one end of the house and the secondary bedrooms are on
the other. This is where the kids that have been kicked out of the
nursery go.
Teen Suite
This refers to a bathroom that serves two secondary bedrooms. I can
be accessible from that hallway but doesn't need to. We also use
this term to refer to a secondary bedroom that has its own bath that
is not shared with any other spaces.
Main Floor Bedroom & Bath
Similar to a main floor master, this space normally is more intended
as a guest room and not usually as large as a typical Master suite.
Guest/In-law Quarters
This is similar to the main floor bedroom and bath, except it can be
located anywhere. They are often seen on a main floor but also in a
daylight basement that affords a bit more privacy from the families
quarters.
MISCELLANEOUS TERMS:
Unfinished/Future Space
This term is a catch-all that refers to any space, regardless of its
location, that can be finished at a later date. It often refers to a
Bonus Room, or an unfinished daylight basement
Storage
Extra space tucked anywhere that you can put the Christmas
decorations, snow skis, or boxes of stuff that you just hang onto.
Wine Cellar
A special place for you prized collection. Today's wine cellars are
often greatly embellished spaces that can even be climate controlled
for the serious connoisseur.
Unfinished Basement
Unlike 'unfinished/future space' this term is used to point out the
presence of a full 'dark' basement that is built under a home on a
flat lot. Building codes require that this type of basement have at
least one window that is the same size as a typical bedroom window
that can escape through.
Daylight Basement
A full or partial basement that is well suited for a sloping lot.
They can either be only partially in the ground allowing them to
have larger windows for daylight or a full 'walk-out' type that
usually has door that lead to a lower patio.
Handicap Accessible
This refers to any house plan that has made definite provisions for
people with mobility problems. Including but not limited to grab
bars, wider doors and hallways, wheel chair maneuvering space, etc.
Handicap Adaptable
Any plan that has been designed to make future accessibility
features easy to add. Normally, you would see similar features to
the fully accessible house, without having the accessories actually
present.
Empty-Nester
This is a very broad term. We have used it most often for homes that
we felt focused on those of us who's chicks have left the nest. We
don't need all of the bedrooms anymore and at least ready access to
them, so more attention is given to more elegant master suites, main
floor dens, centrally located Great Rooms, etc. There are some plans
that have all of the secondary bedrooms in a daylight basement for
when the kids do come home for a visit.
ARCHITECTURAL TERMS:
Select a letter to jump to the applicable section.
Adobe
Unburnt brick dried in the sun, commonly used for building in the
American Southwest, Spain and Latin America. Usually covered with
stucco in homes.
Arch
The curved or pointed top on a door or open entryway. Arches come in
many different shapes and styles.
Art nouveau
A style of architecture and interior decor dating from the late
1800s marked by the overly ornate use of undulation, such as waves,
flames, flower stalks and flowing hair.
Art deco
A popular design style of the 1920s and '30s characterized by bold
outlines, geometric and zigzag forms.
Atrium
An inner courtyard of a home or other building that is open to the
sky or covered by a skylight.
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Balcony
A platform projecting from a wall, enclosed by a railing or
balustrade, supported on brackets or cantilevered out.
Baluster
A short post or pillar in a series that supports a rail, thus
forming a balustrade. May be curved or straight.
Barrel tiles
Rounded clay roof tiles most often used on Spanish-style houses.
Usually red, but available in many colors.
Bay, bow and oriel windows
These windows project out from the front or side of a house. Oriel
windows generally project from an upper story, supported by a
bracket. Bay windows are angled projections that rise up from the
ground on the first floor. Bow windows are rounded projections,
often formed of the window glass itself.
Bead molding
A small, cylindrical molding enriched with ornaments resembling a
string of beads.
Bracket
A small supporting piece of wood or stone, often formed of scrolls
or other decorative shapes, designed to bear a projected weight,
such as a window.
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Canopy
A projection or hood over a door, window, niche, etc.
Cantilever
A horizontal projection from a building, such as a step, balcony,
beam or canopy, that is without external bracing and appears to be
self-supporting.
Capital
The head or crowning feature of a column.
Casement window
A metal or wooden window that opens outward or inward.
Castellated
Decorated with battlements (a parapet with alternating indentations
and raised portions); also called crenellation. Buildings with
battlements are usually brick or stone.
Ceramic tile
Any of a wide range of sturdy floor and wall tiles made from fired
clay and set with grout. May be glazed or unglazed. Colors and
finishes vary. May be used indoors or out.
Chair-rail molding
A wooden molding placed along the lower part of the wall to prevent
chairs, when pushed back, from damaging the wall. Also used as
decoration.
Clapboard
Overlapping horizontal boards that cover the timber-framed wall of a
house.
Clerestory window
A window (usually narrow) placed in the upper walls of a room,
usually at an angle, to provide extra light.
Concrete
Cement mixed with coarse and fine aggregate (pebbles, crushed stone,
brick), sand and water in specific proportions. There are three
types of concrete: precast, reinforced and prestressed.
Corinthian column
In classical architecture, a column decorated at the top with a
mixed bag of curlicues, scrolls and other lavish ornamentation.
Cornice
Any projecting ornamental molding that finishes or crowns the top of
a building, wall, arch, etc.
Cove molding
The large concave molding produced by the sloped or arched junction
of a wall and ceiling. Popular accent for dramatic living rooms.
Cupola
A dome, especially a small dome on a circular or polygonal base
crowning a roof or turret. Usually only decorative in modern homes.
Older cupolas can be reached by stairs.
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Dome
An arched roof or ceiling of even curvature erected on a circular or
square base. Domes can be segmented, semicircular, pointed or
bulbous. Often decorated with stained or painted glass. Adds light,
color and drama to a room or foyer.
Doric column
A Greek-style column with only a simple decoration around the top,
usually a smooth or slightly rounded band of wood, stone or plaster.
Dormer window
A window placed vertically in a sloping roof that has a tiny roof of
its own. Most often seen in second-floor bedrooms.
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Eaves
The underpart of a sloping roof overhanging a wall. [top of page]
Ell
A single-story lean-to wing of a building that usually contains a
kitchen. Ells were added to many houses with wooden frameworks in
New England.
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Facing
A covering applied to the outer surface of a building. [top of page]
Fanlight
A window, often semicircular, with radiating glazing bars suggesting
a fan that is placed over a door.
Fascia
A horizontal piece (such as a board) covering the joint between the
top of a wall and the projecting eaves; also called fascia board.
Festoon
A carved or painted ornament in the form of a garland of fruit and
flowers tied with ribbons and suspended at both ends in a loop; also
called a swag.
Fieldstone
Rough, irregularly shaped pieces of rock that can be used to cover
the surface of a building, make a walkway, line a garden bed, etc.
Finial
A formal ornament at the top of a canopy, gable, pinnacle, etc.,
usually in the general shape of a fleur-de-lis.
Fluting
Shallow, concave grooves running vertically on the shaft of a
column, pilaster or other surface.
Foyer
The entrance hall of a home.
French door
A tall casement window that reaches to the floor and opens like a
door. It is a popular accent that brings more light into a home.
[top of page]
Frieze
A decorated band along the upper part of an interior wall.
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Gable
The triangular upper portion of a wall at the end of a pitched roof.
It typically has straight sides, but there are many variations.
Gallery
A long room, often on an upper floor, for recreation, entertainment
or display of artwork.
Gambrel roof
A roof with one low, steep slope and an upper, less-steep one on
each of its two sides, giving the look of a traditional American hay
barn.
Gargoyle
A figurine that projects from a roof or the parapet of a wall or
tower and is carved into a grotesque figure, human or animal. [top
of page]
Gazebo
A small lookout tower or summerhouse with a view, usually in a
garden or park, but sometimes on the porch or roof of a house; also
called a belvedere.
Geodesic dome
A building that features a lightweight, domed frame covered with
wood, plywood, glass or aluminum. Created as a way to provide a
cheap and effective shelter that can be built quickly and covers a
large area.
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Half-timbering
A method of construction featuring walls built of timber framework
with the spaces filled in by plaster or brickwork. Often, some of
the exposed planks are laid at an angle to create a pattern. In
modern homes, half-timbering is usually not authentic, used only as
decoration in small areas.
Header
A brick laid in a wall so that only its end appears on the face of
the wall. To add a varied appearance to brickwork, headers are
alternated with "stretchers," bricks laid full length on their
sides.
Herringbone work
Stone, brick or tile work in which the components are laid
diagonally instead of horizontally, forming a distinctive zigzag
pattern along a wall face.
Hipped roof
A roof with sloped instead of vertical ends. [top of page]
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Ionic column
A Greek-style column topped by a single scroll just below the top.
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Lattice window
A window with diamond-shaped leaded lights or glazing bars arranged
like an openwork screen; also, loosely, any hinged window, as
distinct from a sash window.
Lintel
A horizontal beam or stone bridging an opening, most often a door.
Log-construction
A form of timber construction in which walls are made of tree trunks
(or logs planed down to create flat or rounded sides) that are laid
horizontally on top of each another.
Loggia
A gallery open on one or more sides, sometimes pillared. It may also
be a separate structure, usually in a garden.
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Mansard roof
This roof is flat on top, sloping steeply down on all four sides,
thus appearing to sheath the entire top story of a house or other
building.
Mantelpiece
The wood, brick, stone or marble frame surrounding a fireplace,
sometimes including a mirror above.
Mullion
A vertical post or other upright that divides a window or other
opening into two or more panes. Sometimes only ornamental.
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Niche
A recess in a wall (interior or exterior), especially for a statue.
Usually curved at the back.
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Palladian window
A window with three openings, the central one arched and wider than
the others.
Parapet
A low wall placed to protect any spot where there's a sudden drop,
such as at the edge of a bridge or housetop.
Parquet flooring
Flooring of thin hardwood laid in patterns on a wood subfloor.
Inlaid parquet consists of a veneer of decorative hardwood glued in
patterns to squares of softwood backing, then laid on a subfloor.
Patio
Paved recreation area, usually at the rear of a home. [top of page]
Pedestal
In classical architecture, the base supporting a column or
colonnade.
Pediment
In classical architecture, a low-pitched gable above a portico; also
a similar feature above doors in homes. It may be straight or
curved, "broken'' in the center, or solid.
Penthouse
A separately roofed structure on the top of a tall block of
apartments/condominiums, or simply the top-floor unit in a
residential high-rise.
Pergola
A covered walk in a garden, usually formed by a double row of posts
or pillars with joists above and covered by climbing plants. [top of
page]
Pilaster
A shallow pier or a rectangular column projecting only slightly from
a wall. Primarily decorative.
Porch
The roofed entrance to a house.
Portico
A roofed entrance to a house that is columned like a temple front.
Porte-cochere
A roofed structure extending from the side or front entrance of a
home over an adjacent driveway to shelter those getting in or out of
vehicles.
Precast concrete
Concrete components cast in a factory or on site before being placed
in position.
Prefabrication
The manufacture of whole buildings or components cast in a factory
or on site before being placed in position.
Prestressed concrete
A development of ordinary reinforced concrete. The reinforcing steel
is replaced by wire cables in ducts.
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Quoins
The dressed stones at the corners of buildings, usually laid so
their faces are alternately large and small. Usually in contrasting
color of brick from the rest of the wall. Common accent in Georgian
homes.
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Reinforced concrete
Steel rods are inserted in concrete beams to help them withstand
longitudinal stress without collapsing. This development has allowed
the construction of very large structures using concrete beams.
Rustication
Masonry cut in massive blocks separated by deep joints, used to give
a rich, bold texture to an outside wall. Common in Romanesque homes.
Effect sometimes simulated in stucco and other building materials.
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Sash window
A window formed with sashes, or sliding frames running in vertical
grooves.
Shutters
Window or door screens featuring horizontal slats that may be
articulated, allowing control over air and light transmission. They
are usually made of wood. While they may be hinged, modern exterior
shutters are often decorative and remain fixed to the wall alongside
the window or door opening.
Sill
The lower horizontal part of a window frame. Materials vary widely,
from wood to marble.
Skylight
A window set into a roof or ceiling to provide extra lighting.
Sizes, shapes and placement vary widely.
Soffit
The underside of any architectural element (as of an overhang or
staircase). In modern homes, the wood or metal screening used to
cover such areas.
Solarium
A glass-enclosed porch or room, often used to display flowers and
other plants; also called a sunroom or garden room.
Stanchion
A vertical supporting beam, nowadays mainly of steel. [top of page]
Strut
A roof timber, either upright and connected to the rafter above it,
or sloping, connecting another post to the rafter.
Stucco
A sturdy type of plaster used on exterior walls; often spread in a
decorative pattern.
Studs
Smaller upright beams in a house, to which drywall panels or laths
for plaster are attached.
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Terrace
A level promenade in front of a building; usually made of stone and
accented with plants, statuary, etc.
Terracotta
Fired but unglazed clay, used mainly for floor and roof tiles. Can
be fired in molds to produce a wide range of shapes. Usually red.
Terrazzo
A sturdy flooring finish of marble chips mixed with cement mortar.
After drying, the surface is ground and polished.
Thatch
A roof covering of straw, reeds or even living grass. In modern
homes, most "thatching'' is only decorative, simulated with
shingles.
Thermal windows
Windows designed with multiple panes to trap air and provide greater
insulation.
Tie-beam
The main horizontal beam in a roof, connecting the bases of the
rafters, usually just above a wall.
Transom
Small, usually rectangular or fanlight window over a door. Some
transoms open to cross-ventilate a home, while others are only
decorative.
Trim
The framing or edging of openings and other features on the facade
of a building or indoors. Trim is usually a different color or
material than the adjacent wall.
Truss
A number of wood planks framed together to bridge a space, such as a
roof truss.
Turret
A very small, slender tower. In modern homes, usually only
ornamental.
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Wainscoting
Decorative paneling covering the lower 3-4 feet of an interior wall.
Usually wood in a plain design; may be painted or only varnished.
Weeping mortar
This decorative mortar appears to "drip'' out between the exterior
bricks in a home.
Widow's walk
A small, railed observation platform atop a house. Once used to
scout for seamen, such walks are usually square, done in
elaborately-worked wrought iron or wood.
Terms courtesy of
Timber Frame Design - timberframedesign.net |
