Helpful Building Terms

Bow - A curved projection formed by at least five windows joined at obtuse angles. 

Clerestory - An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows. 

Dentil - One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an overhang, most common in Colonial Style homes. 

Dormer - A structure projecting from a roof, containing a window (looks like a small dog house) 

Footprint - The outline of a home's foundation - used for site planning. 

Gable - The vertical traingular end of a building from the eaves to the ridge. 

Gable Roof  - A roof consisting of two rectangular planes sloping up to a ridge. 

Hip Roof - A roof with sloping ends and sides that meet at a ridge. 

Keystone - A wedge shaped detail at the top of an arch. 

Lanai - A patio or Veranda 

Palladian Window - A window arrangement with a half-round window on top of a wider rectangular window. 

Porte cochere - A covered drive-thru structure that extends from the side of a home. 

Quoin - A large square or rectangular stone set into the corner of a masonry building. 

Sidelight - A vertical window beside a door or another window. 

Transom Window - A narrow window above another window or door. 

Tray Ceiling - A recessed ceiling - sometimes with the sides sloped at an angle. 

Vaulted Ceiling - A ceiling that slopes up to a peak. Like an upside down V