DOMESTIC BUILDINGS RESEARCH GROUP (SURREY)


Illustrated glossary of architectural terms




BRICKWORK & STONEWORK


Ashlar
 
Hewn or sawn stone in blocks, usually with large faces but often quite thin,
carefully squared and laid in level courses with fine joints.
Bond Any system of laying bricks or stone in an interlocking pattern to impart strength and also for decoration.
    English bondBricks laid with alternate courses of broad and narrow faces of bricks
    Flemish bondBricks laid with each course alternately showing of broad and narrow faces of bricks
   Herringbone bondBricks laid diagonally to form a zig-zag pattern
   Rat-trap bondAs Flemish bond but with bricks on edge.
   Stretcher bondBricks laid with alternate courses of broad and narrow faces of bricks
Closer Brick cut (usually to half width) to finish the bonding pattern at an opening or at the end of a wall.
ClunchChalk block.
Cornice
 
A horizontal, projecting, decorative band usually placed at the top of a wall
or marking off a parapet or gable or, internally, beneath a ceiling.
CourseA horizontal row of bricks
Dentils (see below)A series of projecting blocks at regular intervals for decorative effect.
Galleting Small pieces of stone, flint, etc. inserted into mortar joints while they are still soft.
Hanging tilesTiles hung vertically on exterior of building.
HeaderA brick laid to expose its smallest (end) face
Horsham StoneUsed as roofing. see website of Stone Roofing Association
Mathematical tiles Hanging tiles shaped in section to imitate one face of a brick.
ModillionsDecorative brackets or rectangular projections under the eaves.
Reigate stoneUsed as walling. Soft,medium grained,green/grey,highly calcareous,cretaceous sandstone.
StretcherA brick laid to expose its long narrow (side) face
String course Decorative course differentiated from the rest of the wall face, usually by projecting slightly.

Dentils


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©DBRG 28 May 2008