Acanthus Leaf - Motif in classical architecture found on Corinthian columns 

Aedicule - A pedimented entablature with columns used to frame a window or niche 

Arcade - a series of arches atop columns or posts supporting a roof or covering over a walkway.

Arcade - Series of round arches supported by columns or posts 

Arch - curved piece that covers a small or large space and can hold weight.

Architrave - The lowest part of a classical entablature running from column to column 

Ashlar - Squared building stone laid in parallel courses
 
Astragal - Molding with a semicircular profile 

Astylar - Facade without columns or pilasters 

Attic - a small space on top of a house that's contained within the roof line.

Balconet - False balcony outside a window 

Ball and flower (ball flower) - decoration used in early architecture involving a flower surrounding a ball.

Baluster - support post taking on a rounded or squared shape, often found in a series as a railing.

Baluster - The post supporting a handrail 

Baluster/Spindle - This is the vertical member of the staircase, and be plain or decorative. It is the infill between the handrail and the base rail.

Balustrade - Railing at a stairway, porch or roof 

Balustrading - This is the collective name for the complete assembly, which consists of handrails, spindles, caps and newels.

Bargeboard - Decorative boards located at the end of a gable 

Barrel vault - one curve that spans a long space such as a barrel vaulted ceiling.

Bas Relief - Shallow carving of figures and landscapes 

Basement - lowest area of a building, usually located below the ground.

Battered Wall - Wall leaning inward from its base rather than outward
 
Bay window - a window that protrudes beyond the façade of a building.

Bays - divisions of a building identified by exterior divisions such as windows or columns.

Belfry - area located inside a tower where bells are placed.

Belt Course - Narrow horizontal band projecting from exterior walls, usually defining interior floor levels
 
Belvedere - Projection from top of roof; also called cupola 

Bond - way in which bricks are laid down before mortar is applied.

Bow window - a curved window that protrudes beyond the façade of a building.

Bracket - load bearing decorative piece that holds another object in place.

Bracket - Supporting element under a cornice 

Broken Pediment - Pediment with cornices ending before they meet at the top; finial often placed in the center 

Bulkhead - Horizontal or inclined door over exterior stairway to cellar  

Bullnose Step - Usually located at the bottom of the stairs with one or both ends of the step having a quarter- circle design.

Bullseye window - small round or oblong window, often made of hand blown glass.

Cames - The lead portions of stained glass windows 

Campanile - A tower 

Canted window - protruding window with curved or angled sides.

Cantilever - Projecting overhang 

Capital - The top part of a pilaster or column 

Cartouche - Ornamental panel; oval or scroll-shaped 

Casement window - hinged window that's typically used in a vertical fashion.
Casement Window - Window hinged on the side that opens like a door 

Cincture - small ring located on a column to differentiate between the base and shaft.
Clapboard - Long thin overlapping wooden boards placed horizontally on the outside of a building 

Closed String - When the profile of treads and risers cannot be seen, it is because the string face is housed or trenched. Thus the term closed string applies.

Colonet - Small decorative column 

Colonnade - Series of columns supporting an entablature 

Column - Round vertical support 

Columniation - Arrangement of columns

Composite Column - Elaborate combination of Ionic and Corinthian features  
      
Connector fittings - A term used to describe pieces of wood or metal that allow the handrail to change pitch & direction on the staircase.

Continuous Handrail - The term applies when straight lengths of handrail are connecting to handrail fittings and ramps. The handrail flows over the tops of newel turnings thus creating a continuous run of handrail.

Coping - Top course of a wall 

Copping - wall covering used prior to wallpaper or paint.

Coquillage - Seashell-styled decoration 

Corbel - Bracket or block projecting from the face of a wall
 
Corbiestep - Stepped-end gable 

Corinthian Capital - Top part of a column characterized by large acanthus leaves and fluted column
 
Cornice - A horizontal molded projection that completes a building or wall; or the upper slanting part of an entablature 

Cove molding - Typically a piece of 1/2″ x 3/4″ molding that is attached underneath the treads & balcony cap.  This molding covers any gaps between the rough framing and the finish tread while contributing to a finished look.

Crenellation - Square openings in the top of a parapet 

Cresting - Line of ornamentation finishing a roof       
 
Cupola - A cup-shaped cap over a structure; often found on carriage houses
 
Curtail Step - A decorative shaped step at the bottom of the stairway which usually accommodates the volute and volute newel turning of the Continuous Handrail System.

Cut or Open String - Descriptive of a string with the upper edge cut away to the shape of the treads and risers. As a result, the profile can be seen from the side.

Cyclopean Block - Rock faced blocks often used in foundations 

Dado - Mid section of a pedestal, between base and cornice 

Dentil - Molding made up of rows of small square blocks 

Dimension Stone - Large blocks of stone used in foundations 

Dipteral - temples with columns doubled up in the center.

Doric Column - Column with plain capital, no base or fluting

Doric order - Ancient Greek order, notably due to the columns that lack decoration and have no base.

Dormer - protruding additions on the roof of a building.

Dormer Window - Window that projects from a sloping roof 

Double-Hung Windows - Windows with two sashes sliding up and down 
 
Eaves - Lowest projecting part of a sloped roof 

Egg & Dart - Molding in which an egg shape alternates with a dart shape
 
Elephantine Columns - Tapered; used as porch supports on Bungalows.
 
End Tread - A smaller version of the full tread.   This part of the staircase is typically 8″ or less in width.  This term refers to a finish piece of wood that is attached to the rough framing.  The balusters will be inserted directly into the end tread.

Entablature - Horizontal detailing above a classical column and below a pediment, consisting of cornice, frieze and architrave.
 
Exedra - Wall alcove with bench space  

Eyebrow Window - Roof dormer having low sides; formed by raising small section of roof  
 
Facade - Main face or side of a building 

Fanlight - Fixed half-moon window sash above a door 

Fanlight - small windows with a flat bottom and curved or arched top.

Fascia - Flat vertical board used to hide ends of roof rafters 

Fenestration - Design and placement of windows
 
Finial - Decorative vertical roof ornament
 
Flat Arch - Arch without rounded underside
 
Flushwork - ashlar stone and flint used to create a decorative façade on a building.

Fluting - Narrow vertical grooves on shafts of columns and pilasters 

Foliated - Decorative motif with leaflike ornament 

Frieze - Band below cornice 

Frontispiece - Small pediment over door or window 

Gable - triangular raised decoration that lays flush with the roofline.

Gable - Upper triangular portion of wall at the end of a roof
 
Gable roof - roof with two sides that slope on either side.

Gable Roof - Shaped in an upside-down V 

Gambrel Roof - Double-pitched with end walls pointed at top 

Gambrel roof - similar to a gable roof, but with two pitches on the roof, popular with Dutch Colonial style homes.

Gargoyle - Carved figure with grotesque features; often on corners of buildings.
 
Garland - Ornamental detail in the shape of a band of flowers 

Gingerbread - Elaborate wooden fretwork used on gables or as porch trim
 
Gothic Arch - Arch with pointed top 

Guilloche - Molding resembling twisted rope 

Gutta - Droplike element found underneath a triglyph or in a mutule 

Handrail - The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top of the balusters and is supported by the newel posts.

Helicline - Curved ramp

Hip roof - roof with four sides that all have a downward angle.

Hipped Roof - Slopes upward from all four sides 

Hoodmold - Decorative projecting trim above a window   
         
Horseshoe Arch - Arch in which the bottom is smaller than the mid-span; found in Moorish architecture
  
Imbrication - Overlapping of shingles or tiles

Impost - Horizontal band from which arch begins 

Ionic Column - Slender, fluted, with spiral volutes on capital 
 
Jamb - Sidepiece on doors and windows 

Jerkinhead - Gable roof with hipped end; also called hipped gable

Jutty - Upper story projecting beyond the one below; also called jetty
  
Keystone - decoration placed in the middle of an arch.

Keystone - Wedge-shaped stone found in the center of some arches  
 
Kick Board - A piece of wood that is notched to slide over the steps of the staircase against the wall.  This board can range from 1/4″ - 1″ in thickness.  A panel molding is typically placed over the kick board for a finished look.

Lanai - Furnished veranda

Lancet Window - Window with a pointed arch 

Latticework - thin pieces of wood that form a pattern.

Leaded Light - Window made up of small rectangular or diamond shaped panes of glass set in lead came.
 
Lintel - Horizontal structural member that spans an opening
 
Lites - Individual panes of glass 

Loggia - Arcade or gallery open on at least one side 

Lug Sill - One that extends beyond bottom window    
    
Lunette - Semicircular window or wall panel    

Mansard Roof - Double pitched roof in which lower pitch is nearly vertical and upper is nearly horizontal
 
Mansard roof - flat roof with sloped sides.

Mezzanine - Partial story between two main stories; usually projects as a balcony

Modillion - decorated blocks or brackets placed below a cornice.

Modillion Blocks - Ornamental scroll-shaped brackets or blocks found under the cornice 

Molding - strip used for decoration.

Mullion - dividers placed inside a window; typically made of wood or metal.

Mullion - Vertical member separating two or more windows 

Muntin - Vertical or horizontal divisions between lites in a window or door  
    
Mutule - Block under the soffit of a cornice 

Newel - The central post or column around which the steps of a circular staircase wind, and which provides support for the staircase

Newel-post - A tall post at the head or foot of a stair, supporting the handrail; often ornamental

Niche - Wall recess reserved for statue  

Nosing - The nosing is the edge of the tread that projects beyond the face of riser along with the face of a cut string.

Oculus - Circular opening in a wall 

Ogee - Molding with both concave and convex curves 

Oriel - Upper-story projecting bay window with corbels or brackets
 
Oriel window - protruding window that sits on brackets, typically located on the ground level.

Ovolo - Convex molding also called quarter round

Palladin Window - One with an arched center section flanked by lower flat-topped sections 

Parapet - Part of a wall that extends beyond the roof 

Patera - Round or oval disc, usually ornamented with a rosette in the center 
 
Pediment - Triangular gable end of roof above cornice 

Pendant - Hanging ornament 

Pent Roof - Sloping roof attached to side of building 

Piano nobile - main floor in an older house.

Pier - Square pillar or post 

Pilaster - Half column or pier attached to a wall 

Pitch - This is the angle between the horizontal and the pitch line.

Pitch Line - The pitch line is the notational line that connects the nosing of all the reads in a flight of stairs.

Plinth - Raised platform upon which sits a column 

Porte Cochere - Porch roof projecting over a driveway 

Portico - arches supporting a roof to form a small patio in front of a building.

Portico - Porch supported by columns, usually above entrance
 
Postern - Side entrance

Putto - Statue of naked chubby baby; similar to a cherub with no wings
  
Quatrefoil - Four-lobed motif; usually in block shape 

Quoins - Units of cut stone or brick used to accentuate the vertical corners of buildings   
 
Rake - Refers to a stairs’ pitch

Reeding - Opposite of fluting; protruding half-round molding 

Returns - edges placed on the sides of a gambrel roof.

Revolving door - rotating door with separate areas placed inside.

Ridge Roll - Rounded cap covering exterior peak of roof

Rincleau - Scroll or vines cut in stone 

Rise - In a flight of stairs, it is the vertical distances between the floors of landings that are connect by the flight. It is the vertical measurement from top of tread to top of tread.

Riser -The riser is the board that forms the face of a step.  The riser is connected to the skirt board at a 45 degree miter when skirt board is an option.

Round arch - arch with a rounded top.

Rubble - Undressed broken stone used in construction 

Rusticated - Stonework with beveled or angled edges 

Sash - Frame in which the glass panes or a window are set
 
Sash - upper part of a window, may be set in place.

Scrollwork - Ornamental work with curvilinear open patterns
 
Segmented Arch - Arch that does not form complete semi-circle
 
Shingle - material used to cover a roof; typically made of asphalt, slate or wood.

Sill - Bottom member of a window or door 

Skirt board - A piece of wood that is attached to the area below the treads and/or balcony cap.  This piece is attached at the same pitch degree as the staircase.  A piece of panel molding is attached to the skirt board to give a finished look.

Soffit - Underside of an eave, lintel or other horizontal element 

Spandrel - section of glass that differentiates between two floors.

Spindle - Turned vertical wooden element used in stair railings and porch trim 

Staircase - A term that many people are familiar with. The staircase is the entire structure compromising the treads, steps, strings, balusters and landing.

Stairway/Stairwell - This is the space, or void provided by the stairs

Step -The step is the combination of the tread and riser.

Stoop - Small porch leading to entrance of a house 

String Course - Horizontal band of masonry wrapping around entire facade of building

Sunburst - popular pattern used in Art Nouveau to mimic the look of the sun's rays.

Surround - decorative piece that covers the exterior of a window.

Terra Cotta - Fired clay used for decorative ornamental details
 
Terrace - Open area connected to building; usually paved

Tracery - Interlaced lines that form the lacy openwork of a Gothic-style window 
    
Transom - Small window above door 

Transom - small window or wood block above a door, but still in the doorframe.

Transom bar - piece of wood located above the door and below the transom.

Trayle - Decorative motif of continuous vine, leaf and grape clusters
 
Tread - Top or horizontal surface of a step.

Tread filler - A piece of 3/8″ - 5/8″ plywood that is cut to fit in between the end tread and the wall and/or wall tread.  This piece of wood allows the carpet to be installed slightly above the finished tread giving the look of a carpet runner over a full tread.

Trefoil - Clover-leaved pattern 

Triglyph - Banded decoration in a frieze 

Turpet - Small tower on corner of building supported by corbels
 
Turret - tower typically located on the side of a building.

Tuscan Column - Simple column with plain shaft
 
Tympanum - Triangular face of a pediment 

Uncoursed Masonry - Not set in layers; no continuous horizontal joints
 
Veranda - Porch that runs along front or side of a building; supported by pillars or columns
 
Vermiculation - Decorative masonry surface with shallow channels 

Volute - ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center

Volutes - Scroll shape found on Ionic capital
 
Voussoir - Wedge-shaped stones forming curved parts of an arch
 
Wainscot - Facing of wood paneling, usually covering lower portion of interior wall

Wall Tread - Very similar to the end tread.  This is a finish piece of wood that is typically 1″-1 1/4″ smaller in width than the end tread.  It it attached to the rough framing against the kick board or drywall.

Water Table - Molding or projection on the exterior located at the intersection of the basement and first story 

Wheel Window - Round window with mullions radiating from the center 

Widow’s Walk - Narrow platform on roof; usually with wooden or wrought-iron balustrade

Wing - Building part projecting from a central or main part

Wrought iron - pieces of iron hand turned and hammered into shape.

Yoke - Top of a double-hung window