Dictionary of Building Parts

What Is a "Balustrade"? What is a "Baluster"?
Illustrated definition of the word Balustrade from our Architecture Glossary

What Is a "Pilaster"?
A pilaster is a rectangular support that resembles a flat column... Illustrated definition of the word Pilaster from our Architecture Glossary

What Is a "Bargeboard"? What Is a "Vergeboard"?
Bargeboards -- also called vergeboards -- hang from the projecting end of a roof... Illustrated definition of the words Bargeboard and Vergeboard from our Architecture Glossary

What Is a "Dentil"? What Is "Dentil Molding"?
A dentil is one of a series of closely spaced, rectangular blocks that form a molding...Illustrated definition of the word Dentil and term Dentil Molding from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Cupola"?
A cupola is a dome-shaped ornamental structure placed on the top of a larger roof or dome... Illustrated definition of the word Cupola from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Pediment"?
A pediment is a low-pitched triangular gable on the front of some buildings... Illustrated definition of the word Pediment from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Parapet"?
... Illustrated definition of the word Parapet from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Quatrefoil Window"?
A quatrefoil window is a round window that is composed of four equal lobes, like a four-petaled flower... Illustrated definition of the word Frieze from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Palladian Window"?
A Palladian window is a large window that is divided into three parts ... Illustrated definition of the phrase Palladian Window from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is an "Eave"?
An eave is the edge of a roof ... Illustrated definition of the word Eave from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Battlement" or a "Crenellation"? What are "Embrasures" and "Merlons"?
On a castle or fort, a battlement or crenellation is a parapet with open spaces for shooting. ... Illustrated definition of the words Battlement, Crenellation, Embrasures and Merlons from our Architecture Glossary.

What Is a "Buttress"? What Is a "Flying Buttress"?
A buttress is a support--usually made of brick or stone--built against a wall to support or reinforce it ... Illustrated definition of the word Buttress and the phrase Flying Buttress from our Architecture Glossary.

What is an "Oriel Window"?
An oriel window projects from the wall and does not extend to the ground... Illustrated definition of the phrase Oriel Window from our Architecture Glossary.

What is a "Frieze"?
A frieze is a horizontal band that runs above doorways and windows or below the cornice... Illustrated definition of the word Frieze from our Architecture Glossary.

What is a "Cornice"?
The cornice is the uppermost section of moldings... Illustrated definition of the word Cornice from our Architecture Glossary.

Board and Batten - Architecture Glossary
Board and batten, or board-and-batten, describes a type of exterior siding or interior paneling that has alternating wide boards and narrow wooden strips, called battens. More, from our Architecture Glossary...

Mitered - Architecture Glossary
The term [i]mitered[/i]describes the process of joining together two pieces of wood, glass, or other construction material. Mitered corners are fitted togther from ... more from our Architecture Glossary.

Clerestory - Architecture Glossary
A clerestory, pronounced "clear story," is a wall that has a band of windows along the very top. The clerestory wall usually rises above adjoining roofs... More, from our Architecture Glossary.

Fanlight - Definition - Architecture Glossary
From our Architecture Glossary, definition and illustration for the term FANLIGHT.