Architectural Terms

ARCADE: a series of arches supported by columns or piers, it may be attached to a

wall (blind) or freestanding. (IMAGE)
ARCH: a method of spaning an opening, stronger than a lintel. Usually a curved or
pointed structural member, however there are many different types. (IMAGE)
ASHLAR: smooth square stones laid in a horizontal fashion; used for foundations or
facing of masonry walls. (IMAGE)
BELLCAST: a curved shape resulting in a lower pitch at the bottom of a roof
slope. (IMAGE)
BALUSTRADE: a railing of small posts or balusters topped by a coping usually at
the edge of stairs or on a roof. (IMAGE)
BARGEBOARD: a board trim that is usually carved and projects from the gable line
of a roof, used to hide the ends of the horizontal roof timbers. (IMAGE)
BAY: a division of space that is repeated within a building, a three bay house would
have three spaces repeated along one side as in two rooms and a hall. A space that
projects from the rest of the building as in a bay window. (IMAGE)
BONNETED: a dormer with a semicircular roof line, normally containing an arched
window. (IMAGE)
BRACKET: a supporting feature under an eave line or raincap, usually
decorative. (IMAGE)
BUTTRESS: a projecting mass normally of brickwork or masonry that is used to
support a structure; gives additional strength usually to counteract the outward thrust
of an arch or vault. (IMAGE)
CASEMENT: in a window refers to a vertical window hinged on its vertical side,
meant to open either out or in. (IMAGE)
CLEARSTORY(or CLERESTORY): the upper level of a room that extends beyond
the single-story height; often found in churches and penetrated by windows. (IMAGE)
CUPOLA: a small structure situated on top of a roof, often domed with solid walls or
four arches and covering a circular or polygonal area. (IMAGE)
DENTILS: small tooth like projections adorning an area under an overhang; square
blocks in series under a cornice. (IMAGE)
DORMER: a vertical window and window box that projects from a sloping roof, has
its own roof, most commonly a pedimental or gable roof. (IMAGE)
DOUBLE HUNG: referring to a window with two vertical sliding sashes, one over
the other. (IMAGE)
FANLIGHTS: an arched window with radiating glazing bars that imitate a fan,
placed over a door; loosely any over-door window.(IMAGE)
FINIAL: a formal ornamentation fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable, etc. (IMAGE)
FULLY STUDDED: in reference to a type of construction; local term for vertical
plank construction. Large vertical planks or studs that are rough sawn or planed are
placed next to each other on a sill at the bottom and either extends to a plate at the top
or continues to the roof. Sometimes every 16"-20" a stud is mortised into the sill.(IMAGE)
GABLE: the triangular end of a wall above the eaves with a peak roof. (IMAGE)
GAMBREL ROOF: a double slope roof where the upper slope is of a lesser pitch
than the lower, both slopes are straight. (IMAGE)
GOTHIC WINDOW: a triple arched window where the centre pane is taller than the
sides. Most commonly seen in churches. (IMAGE)
HIP ROOF: locally known as a COTTAGE ROOF; a roof with four pitched sides,
the line where two slopes of a roof meet is called a hip. (IMAGE)
LINHAY: local terminology referring to an addition to the rear of a structure; either
one story with a shed roof (single-slope) or two stories with a flat roof. Referred to as
a lean-to in other areas. (IMAGE)
MANSARD ROOF: named after the French architect Francois Mansart (1598-1666);
a double slope roof with the lower slope being longer and steeper, with a concave
curve. Can be sloped on all four sides or just two sides (front and back). (IMAGE)
MORTISE & TENON: a joint made between two pieces of wood where the
projecting part of onepiece fits into a corresponding cutout on another. (IMAGE)
OGEE ARCH: an arch with a compound curve, partly concave and partly convex;
looks like the keel of a boat. (Also known as a KEEL arch.) (IMAGE)
PALLADIAN: a three-part window where the centre window is arched and wider
than the two straight topped side windows. A style often used by Andrea Palladio
after whom it was named. (IMAGE)
PILASTER: a rectangular column projecting only slightly from a wall, incorporates a
capital, shaft and base, as one of the orders. Once used for stiffening, now more
common for decoration. (IMAGE)
POINTED ARCH: produced by two curves that meet in the centre forming a
point. (IMAGE)
PORTICO: an open porch with columns supporting a pedimental roof, creating the
entrance and\or centre piece of a facade. (IMAGE)
RAINCAP: feature over an opening such as a window or door, a wide trim developed
to shed water away from the opening. Can be heavy and decorated or light and
plain. (IMAGE)
RETURN: the part of a pattern that continues around a corner.(IMAGE)
ROUNDEL: a circular moulding. (IMAGE)
SALTBOX: an architectural form of a house, developed from a one-and-a-half story
house with a linhay, the shape is said to resemble an eighteenth century salt box. One
of the earlier house forms in rural Newfoundland. (IMAGE)
SECOND EMPIRE (SOUTHCOTT): a style of architecture where the structure has
a mansard (French) roof, usually there are bonneted dormers in the curved section of
the roof. It may be extravagantly ornate. (IMAGE)
SIDELIGHT: windows placed on either side of another window or door that are
narrower than the centre opening. (IMAGE)
SINGLE HUNG: referring to a window with a fixed top sash and a lower sash that
slides vertically. (IMAGE)
TRACERY: decorative intersecting glazing bars in the upper portion of a window;
most common in Gothic Revival styles. (IMAGE)
TRANSOM: the horizontal framing member between a door and a window above;
also refers to the window above a door. (IMAGE)
TRUNCATED: cut off or cut short, usually in reference to a roof.(IMAGE)