Glossary of Architectural Terms 2nd Annual 06/9/1962, 3nd Annual 06/1/1963, 4th Annual 06/06/19646/6 window - The 6 x 6, or "6 over 6" defines the number of glass pains in a window. Six glass panes in the upper sash and six glass panes in the lower sash; therefore, twelve total glass panes per window in this example.
architrave - the lowest part of an entablature, a beam resting directly on the tops of the columns; the molding around a doorway, window, etc.
ashlar (masonry) - hewn or squared stone.
bead - projecting ½ circle of mortar about 1" wide to embellish the joints.
bed molding - a horizontal molding projecting along the top of a wall, especially between the corona and frieze.
bee - gathering of people to collect and sort stones.
colonnade - a long sequence of columns joined by their entablature.
cord - 99 cubic feet of stone in a wall.
cornice - a horizontal molding projecting along the top of a wall, building, etc., the top part of an entablature.
cornice return - that part of the cornice which extends around the corner onto the gable end of the house.
corona - the job projection of a cornice, having a flat outer face.
course - each horizontal layer of stone in the wall.
crown molding - upper projection part of a cornices usually double-curve molding placed just below the roof proper.
crossette - a projection at a corner of the architrave of a door or window.
courses - rows of stones.
dentil - any of a series of small square blocks projecting like teeth, as from under cornice.
enframement - a frame.
entablature - a horizontal superstructure supported by columns and composed of architrave, frieze, and cornice.
fanlight - A fanlight is a form of lunette window, often semicircular or semi-elliptical in shape, with glazing bars or tracery sets radiating out like an open fan. This term may be misused in describing a Gable End feature of cobblestone structures. See the footnote of the Schmidt "Otis-Hemplemann House" architectural drawing on the Glossary section page.
facia or fascia - a flat horizontal member of an order or building having the form of a flat band or broad fillet; one of the three bands which make up the architrave.
frieze - a horizontal band, usually decorated with sculpture, between the architrave and cornice of a building.
gable end - The end wall of a building with the upper section inverted "V" shaped to support an end of the gable roof.
herringbone - the pattern formed by laying stones diagonally in rows and alternating the direction in every other row.
interstices - an intervening space, especially a very small one.
joint - The division between the stones; there are two kinds horizontal and vertical.
lintel - the horizontal crosspiece over a door or window, carrying the weight of the structure above it.
marl - any soft crumbly stratum; crumbly soil consisting mainly of clay, sand, and calcium carbonate used in making cement or bricks.
palmettes - a conventional ornament of a very ancient origin consisting of a calyx and being closely related to the Egyptian lotus and Greek anthemion.
pediment - a low-pitched gable on the front of some buildings in the Grecian style of architecture; any similar triangular piece used in decorating, as over a doorway, fireplace, etc.
perch - 16 ½ cubic feet of rubble stone.
period - Early: 1825 - 1835. Stones of various sizes and colors gathered from the fields; Middle: 1835 to 1845; Late: 1845 to the end of the Civil War.
pointing - the process of filling joints with mortar.
portico - a porch leading to the entrance of a building.
quoin - any of the large, squared stones by which the corner of a building is marked.
return - The part of a pattern that continues around a corner. Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador.
sidelight - Sidelights are vertical pieces of glass placed on the sides of an entry door to add more natural light to the building interior.
sill - a heavy, horizontal timber or line of masonry supporting a house wall, etc., a horizontal piece forming the bottom frame of a door or window: sill plate, window sill.
soffit - the underside of a subordinate part of member of a building, such as a staircase, archway, cornice, etc.
stone boat - flat sled (sledge) drawn by horses or oxen on which to collect stones from the fields.
sorting board - a plank with a few holes of various sizes through which cobblestones were sorted. Also an iron "beetle ring" was used for the same purpose.
tender - Worker who assists the mason in maintaining, repairing and constructing surfaces and structures made of bricks and stones by maintaining tools, transporting materials, and keeping the job site clean.
transom - The horizontal framing member between a door and a window above; also refers to the window above a door. Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador.
tympanum - the recessed space, usually triangular, enclosed by the slanting cornices of a pediment, often ornamental with sculpture; a corresponding semi-circular space enclosed by an arch and the top of the door or window below it.
water table - a projecting ledge or molding which throws off water.