Architecture and Preservation Glossary
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Capital: The uppermost part, or head, of a column or pilaster Casement: A hinged window that opens horizontally like a door Casing: The finished visible framework around a door or window Cement Mortar: A mixture of cement, lime, sand, or other aggregates with water; used in plastering and bricklaying Certificate of Appropriateness: The documentation provided by the Historic Landmark Commission after review of proposed changes to a contributing structure in the historic district certifying that the proposed change is in conformance with these Design Standards. The process for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness is discussed in the Design Review Process section of these Design Standards. Chimney:
Clapboard: A thin board, thinner at one edge than the other, laid horizontally and with edges overlapping on a wooden-framed building
Column: A round, vertical support. In classical architecture the column has three parts, base,
shaft, and capital
Concrete: Made by mixing cement or mortar with water and various aggregates such as sand, gravel, or pebbles
Concrete Block: A hollow or solid rectangular block made of Portland cement, aggregates, and water; used in the construction of walls, foundations, and piers, etc., also called a concrete masonry unit.
Concrete Masonry Unit: Concrete block
Contributing Resource: A building, structure, or object that contributes to the historic character of the historic district. The district nomination includes an inventory and maps listing all contributing resources.
Coping: The protective uppermost course of a wall or parapet
Corbelling: Pattern in a masonry wall formed by projecting or overhanging masonry units
Corner Boards: Boards placed at the corners of exterior walls to finish corners and to protect the ends of the wood siding
Cornice: In classical architecture the upper, projecting section of an entablature; also the projecting ornamental molding along the top of a building or a wall
Course: A horizontal row of stones, bricks, or other masonry units
Crenelation: A parapet with alternating solid and void spaces, originally used for defense; also known as battlement
D
Dentil: A small rectangular block used in a series to form a molding below the cornice
Door Types:
Dormer Types: A vertically set window on a sloping roof; also the roofed structure housing such a window
Double-hung Window: A window of two (or more) sash, or glazed frames, set in vertically grooved frames and capable of being raised or lowered independently of each other
Downspout: A pipe that carries water from the gutters to the ground or sewer connection
E
Eaves: The lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the building wall
Elevation: An exterior wall of a building; a drawing of a building as seen from a horizontal position.
Ell: An extension that is at right angles to the length of the building
Engaged Column: A column that is partially attached to a wall, but partially projecting
Entablature: The horizontal beam-like member supported by columns containing three parts: the lower architrave, the middle frieze, and the upper cornice.
Eyebrow Dormer: A low dormer with a wavy line over the lintel, resembling an eyebrow
F
Façade: An exterior wall of a building.
Fachwerk: Method of heavy timber framing combined with rubble masonry between the timbers, typically finished with stucco; typically associated with German settlers in Central Texas
Fanlight: An arched window with muntins that radiate like a fan; typically used as a transom
Fascia: The flat area or board covering the ends of roof rafters, or other flat areas
Fenestration: The arrangement of windows and other exterior openings on a building
Fixed Sash: A window, or part of a window, that does not open
Flashing: Pieces of metal used around wall and roof junctions and angles as a means of preventing water infiltration
Flat Roof: A roof that has only enough pitch so that water can drain
Foundation Types:
G
Gable: The triangular upper part of a wall under the end of a ridged roof, or a wall rising above
the end of a ridged roof
Gable Roof: A sloping (ridged) roof that terminates at one or both ends in a gable. A roof formed by two pitched roof surfaces
Gambrel Roof: A roof having a double slope on two sides of a building. The most common example is a barn roof
Gazebo: An outdoor pavilion or summer house popular for lawns and gardens of rural houses in the Victorian era
Gutter: A channel of wood or metal running along the eaves of the house, used for catching and carrying water
H
Half-timbered: Descriptive of 16th and 17th century houses built with heavy timber framing with the spaces filled in with plaster or masonry. This style of building was imitated in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the Tudor Revival style
Hipped Roof: A roof formed by four pitched roof surfaces
Hood: A protective and sometimes decorative cover over doors or windows
Hopper Window: A window that is hinged on the bottom and swings inward
J
Jalousie Window: A window composed of angled, overlapping slats of glass, arranged horizontally like a shutter in order to tilt open for ventilation
K
Keystone: The central stone of an arch
L
Lattice: Open work produced by interlacing of laths or other thin strips, often used as screening, especially in the base of the porch
Leaded Glass Window: A window composed of pieces of glass that are held in place with lead strips; the glass can be clear, colored, or stained
Lime Mortar: A mortar made of lime (calcium oxide) and sand, typically used prior to the 1930s, that is more flexible than mortars made of Portland Cement
Lintel: The piece of timber, stone, or metal that spans above an opening and supports the weight of the wall above it
Lites: Window panes
M
Mansard Roof: A roof having two slopes on all four sides; the lower slope is much steeper than the upper
Moulding: Decorative strip of wood used for ornamentation or finishing
Mullion: A large vertical member separating two casements or coupled windows or doors
Muntin: One of the thin strips of wood used to separate panes of glass within a window
N
Newel Post: The post supporting the handrail at the top and bottom of a stairway
Non-Contributing Resource: A building, structure, or object that does not contribute to the historic character of the historic district. The district nomination includes an inventory and maps listing all non-contributing resources.
P
Paneled Door: A door constructed with recessed rectangular panels surrounded by raised mouldings
Parapet: A low wall or protective railing, usually used around the edge of a roof or around a balcony
Patio: A usually paved and shaded area adjoining or enclosed by the walls of a house
Pediment: A triangular section framed by a horizontal moulding on its base and two sloping mouldings on each side
Period of Significance: The span of time during which a resource or district was associated with the events that give it significance; for a residential historic district, this period may span from the initial date of development until the date when houses had been constructed on the majority of lots, or when housing construction slowed
Pilaster: A rectangular column or shallow pier attached to a wall
Plan Types:
Porch Types: A covered entrance or semi-enclosed space projecting from the façade of a building. May be open sided, screened, or glass enclosed
Porch Support Types:
Porte Cochere: A roofed structure attached to a building and extending over a driveway, allowing vehicles to pass through
Portland Cement: A hydraulic cement binder for concrete and mortar; typically not used in construction prior to the 1930s
Preservation: Defined by the National Park Service as treatment that “places a high premium on the retention of all historic fabric through conservation, maintenance and repair. It reflects a building's continuum over time, through successive occupancies, and the respectful changes and alterations that are made”
(http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/overview/choose_treat.htm, accessed February 10, 2011).
Pier and Beam Foundation: Foundation consisting of vertical piers set below grade, which support horizontal beams
Pyramidal Roof: A pyramid-shaped roof with four sides of equal slope and shape
Q
Quoins: Large or rusticated stone blocks at the corners of a masonry building
R
Rafters: The sloping members of a roof upon which the roof covering is placed
Rail: A horizontal bar or beam that creates a barrier at the outer edge of a space such as a porch
Reconstruction: Treatment that “establishes limited opportunities to re-create a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object in all new materials”
(http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/overview/choose_treat.htm,
accessed February 10, 2011).
Rehabilitation: Treatment “defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.”
(http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/overview/choose_treat.htm,
accessed February 10, 2011).
Restoration: Treatment that focuses on the retention of materials from the most significant time in a property's history, while permitting the removal of materials from other periods
(http://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/arch_stnds_10.htm, accessed July 14, 2011).
Retaining Wall: A braced or freestanding wall that bears against an earthen backing
Roof Types:
S
Side Light: A vertical window flanking a door
Sill: Horizontal member at the bottom of a window or door opening
Shed Roof: A roof containing only one sloping plane
Soffit: The underside of an overhanging element, such as the eaves of a roof
Storm Window: A secondary window installed to protect and/or reinforce the main window
Stucco: Exterior finish material composed of either Portland Cement or lime and sand mixed with water
T
Transom: A horizontal window over a door
V
Vigas: A heavy wood rafter – especially a rough-hewn log – used to support the roof in Spanish Colonial or Mission Style architecture
W
Waney-edge Siding: Siding with an irregularly rippled edge, formed by removing the bark but retaining the profile of the wood
Water Table: Level to which water may pool up at the base of an exterior façade; this surface may be constructed of masonry designed to divert water
Window Types:
Wing Wall: A portion of the front façade extending past the side façade, often sloping down from the eaves to the ground at an angle
The following glossary provides definitions for common terms used in preservation. Many of these terms came from the design standards template produced by the Heritage Society of Austin. (The design standards template is presently under review by the Austin Landmark Commission.) Additional terms will be added over time.Another good reference for illustrated definitions is the Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture, edited by Cyril M. Harris.
Apron: A plain or decorated piece of trim found directly below the sill of a window
Arch: A curved and sometimes pointed structural member used to span an opening
Areaway: A sunken area around a basement window or doorway, or mechanical air intake
Attic: The room or space in the roof of a building
Awning Window: A window that is hinged at the top and swings outward
Balcony: A railed projecting platform found above ground level on a building
Baluster: One of a series of short pillars or other uprights that support a handrail or coping
Balustrade: A series of balusters connected on top by a coping or a handrail and sometimes on the bottom by a bottom rail; used on staircases, balconies, porches, and the like
Bargeboard: A board, sometimes decorative, that adorns the gable-end of a gabled roof
Base: The lowest part of a column
Basement: The story below the main floor; may be partially or totally below ground level
Battered Foundation: A foundation that is inclined, so that it appears to slope as it rises upward
Bay: A space protruding from the exterior wall that contains a bay window
Bay Window: A projecting window with an angular plan
Bead Board: Wood paneling with grooves
Board and Batten: Wood siding with wide boards, placed vertically, and narrow strips of wood (battens) covering the seams between the boards
Boxed Eaves: Eaves that are enclosed with a fascia and panels under the soffit
Bracket: A projecting support used under cornices, eaves, balconies, or windows to provide structural or visual support
Brick: A usually rectangular building or paving unit made of fired clay
Canopy: A projection over a niche or doorway; often decorative or decorated
Capital: The uppermost part, or head, of a column or pilaster Casement: A hinged window that opens horizontally like a door Casing: The finished visible framework around a door or window Cement Mortar: A mixture of cement, lime, sand, or other aggregates with water; used in plastering and bricklaying Certificate of Appropriateness: The documentation provided by the Historic Landmark Commission after review of proposed changes to a contributing structure in the historic district certifying that the proposed change is in conformance with these Design Standards. The process for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness is discussed in the Design Review Process section of these Design Standards. Chimney:
| External Chimney | 
|
| Internal Chimney | 
|
| Single Door | 
|
| Double Doors | 
|
| Glazing | 
|
| Sidelights | 
|
| Transom | 
|
| Arched | 
|
| Deck | 
|
| Eyebrow | 
|
| Flat | 
|
| Gabled | 
|
| Hipped | 
|
| Inset | 
|
| Segmental | 
|
| Shed | 
|
| Brick | 
|
| Concrete | 
|
| Pier-and-Beam | 
|
| Slab | 
|
| Stone | 
|
| L-plan | 
|
| T-plan | 
|
| Irregular | 
|
| Rectangular | 
|
| Partial | 
|
| Wraparound | 
|
| One-Story Entry | 
|
| Full-Height Entry | 
|
| Full-Width One-Story | 
|
| Turned Wood | 
|
| Chamfered | 
|
| Column with Cushion Capital | 
|
| Heavy Squared Piers | 
|
| Piers with Slanted Sides | 
|
| Rough Hewn | 
|
| Cross-Gabled | 
|
| Cross-Hipped | 
|
| Dual-Pitched Hipped | 
|
| Flat with Eaves | 
|
| Flat with Parapet | 
|
| Flat-Topped Hipped | 
|
| Front-Gabled | 
|
| Gabled Family | 
|
| Gable-on-Hip | 
|
| Gambrel | 
|
| Hip-on-Gable | 
|
| Hipped | 
|
| Hipped Family | 
|
| Parallel Gables | 
|
| Parallel Hipped | 
|
| Pyramidal | 
|
| Saltbox | 
|
| Shed | 
|
| Side-Gabled | 
|
| Single Hung Sash | 
|
| Double Hung Sash | 
|
| Casement | 
|
| Fixed | 
|