Building Language Book

Caroline Cooley | Seminar | Professor. Robinson | Winter 2013

Structural Elements

JoistSupport for floor and ceiling typically made from lumber.1.

LintelHorizontal supports that span an opening of a window or door.2.

Truss A combination of beams, rafters and other structural elements that create a frame work to support a structure.3.

Exterior Elements

Masonry

AshlarStone that has been cut to have corners with right angles.4.

stretcher

header

English BondHorizontal pattern of laying tile or brick. Rows alternate between stretchers (bricks laid horizontally on their long side) and headers (bricks are laid horizontally on their short side).

5.

Flemish BondRows where bricks alternate between stretchers and headers. The header of one course is centered on the stretcher of the course above and below. This pattern is commonly found on a traditional brick house.

6.

course

Siding

Board & BattenParallel boards installed with batten, narrow strips of wood over the seams between boards.7.

Batten

Board

ClapboardSiding with overlapping horizontal strips of wood that are beveled or tapered8.

Half TimberingWhere wood posts for framing the building and the plaster between them are exposed. Style typical of Tudor and Jacobean periods.9.

10.lathscratch coatbrown coattop coat

StuccoPlaster made with portland cement, sand and lime that goes on wet and hardens into a solid surface. The mixture is applied over a wire mesh, called lath. It is typically applied in three layers: scratch coat, brown coat and finish coat. Stucco is commonly found in dry climates where wood is not readily available.

Paneling

Applied Molding Way of creating the look of paneling by affixing molding to the face of a door or a wall in a rectangular or square shape.11.

Raised Panel Molding Way of creating the look of paneling by affixing molding to the face of a door or a wall in a rectangular or square shape.12.

raised

Joints

14.

Butt Joints Two pieces of wood set side by side with no interlocking pieces. This type of joint has no strength and needs to be reinforced with glue, dowels are nails.

15. tenons

mortises

Dovetail Joint Made with two interlocking pieces of wood; this joint is extremely strong. One piece has flared tenons which fits into a series of mortises. This type of joinery is scene in the finest cabinetry and furniture.

16.

Mortise and Tenon Joint Made with two interlocking pieces of wood; they are extremely strong. One [piece has flared tenons, which fits into a series of mortises. This type of joinery is scene in the finest cabinetry and furniture.

Architectural Elements

Plinth A plain projecting support at the bottom of a wall, column or other upright.17.

Pilaster A flat column form usually attached to a wall.18.

Pediment The gable over a classic portico; also a gable used decoratively.19.

CorbelA projecting block or capital supporting an arch or shaft above.20.

TympanumArea between a door lintel and an arch above.21.

Conclusion

As if evident from the variety of different building terms from exterior elements, to structural terms, from masonry to paneling to joinery and concluding with architectural elements, it become clear that this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the different types building language terms out there. The exercise was a great fresher on things forgotten as well as learning process for new terms. I hope build on these over a lifetime of learning and applying these different terms.

REferencesCragoe, CArol, How to REad Buildings, (2011), Rizzoli,

International Publications, Inc., New York, NY.

Banker, Pamela, and Banker, Leslie,THe Pocket REnovator, (2007), Univestity Publishing, New York, New York