Definitions & Common Terms
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ACCESSIBLE DESIGN - Designs with considerations for people with disabilities. Including, but not limited to, grab bars, wider doors and hallways, wheel chair maneuvering space, etc.

ADOBE - unfired brick dried in the sun, commonly used for building in the American Southwest, Spain, and Latin America. This is not to be confused with Adobe "style" design which is normally wood or concrete block exterior covered with stucco.

ARCH - the curved head of an opening, as a doorway. Arches come in many different shapes and styles including barrel arches or a gothic arch which comes to a point at the center.

ART NOUVEAU - A style of decoration and architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized particularly by the depiction of leaves and flowers in flowing, sinuous lines.

ART DECO - a style of decorative art developed originally in the 1920s with a revival in the 1960s, marked chiefly by geometric motifs, curvilinear forms, sharply defined outlines, often bold colors, and the use of synthetic materials, as plastics.

ATRIUM - a skylit central court in a contemporary building or house.

BALCONY - platform projecting from a wall, enclosed by a railing or balustrade, supported on brackets or cantilevered outward. A balcony can appear on the inside or outside of a structure.

BALUSTER - any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing

BAY, BOW, AND ORIEL WINDOWS - windows that project out from any of the exterior walls of a house. Oriel window is A bay window projecting from an upper floor, supported from below with a corbel or bracket. Bay windows are angled projections that feature a primary window in the center with smaller flanking windows on each side. Bow windows are rounded projections, which achieve their shape by using several smaller panels of glass in a shallow curving shape.

BONUS ROOM - A room in a house that can be finished at a future time. Often located over a garage but can also be located in an unfinished daylight basement, and consequently, is often not included in the total square footage listed on the house plan.

BREEZEWAY - An element that features a covered portion of open space that connects a detached garage to the main house. This can be as narrow as a hallway or be wide enough to create a comfortable outdoor living space.

BUTLER'S PANTRY - A space that is located between the kitchen and dining room, and features cabinets and, typically, a serving area that serves as a staging area to the dining room. Amenities, such as a serving sink, wine refrigerator, warming drawers, china storage, are often included.

CANOPY - projection or hood over a door, window, niche, etc.

CANTILEVER - horizontal projection from a building, such as a step, balcony, beam, or canopy, that is without external bracing and appears to be self - supporting.

CAPITAL - head or crowning feature of a column.

CARPORT - This is basically a garage with the walls left off. It is a very economical way to protect vehicles from the elements and is normally very easy to enclose into a garage at a future date.

CASEMENT WINDOW - A type of window that is hinged along a vertical jamb similar to a way a door is hinged.

CASTELLATED - built like a castle, especially with turrets and battlements.

CERAMIC TILE - any of a wide range of sturdy floor and wall tiles made from fired clay and set with grout. May be glazed or unglazed. Colors and finishes vary. May be used indoors or out.

CHAIR - RAIL MOLDING - wooden molding placed along the lower part of the wall to prevent chairs, when pushed back, from damaging the wall. Also used as decoration.

CIRCULAR / DUAL STAIRCASES - This displays designs with a grand curving stairway (or two) or a plan that features a more formal stairway in the foyer in addition to a more functional family stairway near the family living areas of the home.

CLAPBOARD - overlapping horizontal boards that cover the timber - framed wall of a house. also referred to as horizontal lap siding. Often made of wood, but is also available in pressed concrete, vinyl, aluminum or steel.

CLERESTORY WINDOW - A window located in a space created by two inclining roof planes that allows natural light into interior space.

CONCRETE - an artificial, stonelike material used for various structural purposes, made by mixing cement and various aggregates, as sand, pebbles, gravel, or shale, with water and allowing the mixture to harden.

CORINTHIAN COLUMN - The slenderest and most ornate of the three classical Greek columns.

CORNICE - any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purposes or the uppermost member of a classical entablature, consisting of a bed molding, a corona, and a cymatium, with rows of dentils, modillions, etc., often placed between the bed molding and the corona.

COVERED FRONT PORCH - An element normally extending across the majority of the front of a house covered by roof and deep enough to be used as outdoor sitting space. A porch that only covers the main entry is not considered in this definition.

COURTYARD - An outdoor space that is surrounded on at least three side by the walls of a building or ornamental walls.

CROWN MOLDING - large concave molding produced by the sloped or arched junction of a wall and ceiling. Popular accent for dramatic living rooms.

COVERED REAR PORCH - a space similar to a covered front porch but attached to the rear of the house. Includes house plans with a covered back porch large enough to provide ample escape from the elements, plus a protected spot for your barbecue.

CUPOLA - a light structure on a dome or roof, serving as a belfry, lantern, or belvedere.

DAYLIGHT BASEMENT - returns house plans with a full or partial basement often used with sloping lots, but can also be used on level lots with a design often referred to as a "split entry, raised ranch, of mid - level entry as we a certain multiple level designs. Can either be partially above ground, allowing larger windows exposed to daylight, or a walk - out basement that, typically, has a door leading to a walkway or lower patio.

DEN/OFFICE/COMPUTER - A dedicated space that can often be closed off from household traffic or serve as the location of the family computer. May be a separate room or simply located in an alcove.

DETACHED GARAGE - A garage that is not attached to the main house often connected with a breezeway.

DOME - a vault, having a circular plan and usually in the form of a portion of a sphere, so constructed as to exert an equal thrust in all directions.

DORIC COLUMN - Greek columns usually have bases, the channeling is sometimes altered or omitted, and the capital usually consists of three parts: a thick, bandlike necking, an echinus with an ovolo outline, and a molded abacus.

DORMER WINDOW - A vertical window in a projection built out from a sloping roof. Often used as the primary window in a second floor space can also be framed to allow light to penetrate main floor spaces such as Dens, Foyers, and Dining Rooms.

EATING BAR - Any space in a kitchen whether at an island or peninsula that allows space for stools to accommodate casual dining or conversation.

EAVES - The overhanging lower edge of a roof.

ELEVATOR - Displays multiple story designs with space designed for residential elevators.

EMPTY - NESTER - A design with those in mind whose children have "left the nest" Many times these designs will have only a Master Suite on the main floor with secondary bedrooms intended for guests or older children located in a lower level to where the primary spaces are geared to the principle residents.

GYM / EXERCISE ROOM - A space dedicated to home fitness.

FAMILY ROOM - A casual living space, usually adjacent to the kitchen and nook where most family activities take place. Most often located to the rear of the home with access to the back yard.

FASCIA - A horizontal trim piece that is attached to the roof edge that gutters, if used, are attached to.

FINIAL - formal ornament at the top of a canopy, gable, pinnacle, etc., usually in the general shape of a fleur - de - lis.

FLUTING - shallow, concave grooves running vertically on the shaft of a column, pilaster, or other surface.

FOYER - entrance hall of a home.

FRENCH DOOR - a hinged exterior door, usually with wood rails and stiles and abundant glass.

FRIEND'S ENTRY - A casual entrance usually located near the garage entrance with away from the primary entrance. Often considered a "mud room" with laundry facilities included. Can also be a small side or rear entrance for guests to use without walking around to the front door. It is most often seen on house plans with a side entry garage.

FRIEZE - decorated band along the upper part of an interior wall.

FORMAL DINING ROOM - A room specifically dedicated for formal dining. Not necessarily completely enclosed with walls.

FORMAL LIVING ROOM - The main formal gathering space in the home. Formal living rooms have evolved more into parlors that are much smaller and intimate that before. The family or Great room have taken over as the primary gathering space.

NO FORMAL LIVING/DINING - This selection cuts right through to casual floor plans with one click for those of you who know exactly what you don’t want.

GABLE - triangular upper portion of a wall at the end of a pitched roof.

GALLERY - long room, often on an upper floor, for recreation, entertainment, or display of artwork.

GAMBREL ROOF - roof with one low, steep slope and an upper, less - steep one on each of its two sides, giving the look of a traditional American hay barn.

GARAGE UNDER - returns house plans with a garage that is well suited to homes that are built on sloping lots. Most plans of this type are for lots that slope up from the street, but they are also well - suited for lots that slope to one side or the other or even in the rear.

GAZEBO - small lookout tower or summerhouse with a view, usually in a garden or park, but sometimes on the porch or roof of a house; also called a belvedere.

GEODESIC DOME - building that features a lightweight, domed frame covered with wood, plywood, glass, or aluminum.

GRAND ENTRY - Refers to any design with a larger than normal foyer. May include twin stairways.

GREAT ROOM - a large room in an average - size home that accommodates a wide variety of functions. Typically handles the functions of the living and/or family room with casual dining spaces and entertainment centers, most commonly open to the kitchen areas.

GRILLING PORCH / OUTDOOR KITCHEN - This selection returns designs with a covered or enclosed outdoor space for barbequing and general backyard food preparation.

GUEST SUITE - Most commonly, a main - floor bedroom and bath, but most importantly somewhat separated from the resident’s bedrooms for privacy.

Gym/Exercise Room - Most commonly, a space dedicate for health and fitness with space for exercise equipment. Often located near the master suite or in a daylight basement away from other family activities.

HALF - TIMBERING - a method of construction featuring walls built of timber framework with the spaces filled in by plaster or brickwork. Often, some of the exposed planks are laid at an angle to create a pattern. In modern homes, half - timbering is usually not authentic, but used only as decoration in small areas.

HEADER - a brick laid in a wall so that only its end appears on the face of the wall. To add a varied appearance to brickwork, headers are alternated with stretchers, that is, bricks laid full length on their sides. This also refers to a structural element about an opening that carries the roof or floor load above.

HEARTH ROOM - A small, cozy space adjacent to the kitchen and/or eating area that includes a fireplace.

HERRINGBONE WORK - stone, brick, or tile work in which the components are laid diagonally instead of horizontally, forming a distinctive zigzag pattern along a wall face.

HIPPED ROOF - roof with sloped, instead of vertical, ends. This type of roof slopes up from all directions.

HOBBY/RECREATION ROOM - A space that is more casual than a family room. Often located away for the main floor, either in a basement or upper floor, providing a great space to lay out a project or for children to play in.

INVERTED LIVING - A relatively unique design where the primary living spaces are located above the main floor while the secondary spaces, such as bedrooms are located on the main floor. This is usually done to accommodate a view lot whose only view is from the upper floor.

ISLAND - A free - standing cabinet in the center of the kitchen that often includes an eating bar and room for bar stools. Can also include the primary kitchen sink, a smaller salad sink and/or cooking range.

LATTICE WINDOW - window with diamond - shaped leaded lights or glazing bars arranged like an openwork screen. Also, loosely, any hinged window, as distinguished from a sash window.

LIBRARY - A a space that is normally set off from the normal noise of normal house traffic for reading or study.

LINTEL - a horizontal beam or stone bridging an opening.

LOFT/BALCONY - A space that looks down onto another, whether inside or out. It can be a transition space in a second floor that looks down onto a great room or an exterior deck that looks over exterior space. Loft is used to describe a second floor space that is most often seen in vacation house plans and usually is open to the floor below.

LOG CONSTRUCTION - a form of timber construction in which walls are made of trees (or logs planed down to create flat or rounded sides) that are laid horizontally on top of each another.

LOGGIA - a gallery open on one or more sides, sometimes pillared. Also can be a separate structure, usually in a garden.

MAIN FLOOR LAUNDRY - House plans with the primary laundry space on the main floor.

MAIN FLOOR MASTER - returns house plans for two - story homes with the master bedroom suite on the main floor.

MANSARD ROOF - flat on top, sloping steeply down on all four sides, thus appearing to sheath the entire top story of a house or building.

MANTELPIECE - the wood, brick, stone, or marble frame surrounding a fireplace, sometimes including a mirror on the wall above.

MASTER SITTING AREA/NURSERY - An area, adjacent to the master suite, specifically designed as a refuge for the masters of the castle to enjoy peach and quiet and a book or a nearby space for infant care.

MEDIA ROOM - A room specifically designed for all high - tech gadgets, big - screen TV, home theater, and video games. Space can be acoustically designed to accommodate a movie theater - like sound system.

MULLION - a vertical post or other upright that divides a window or other opening into two or more panes, sometimes only ornamental.

MUD ROOM - A space usually located at a private entrance that not only contains the laundry equipment but also has ample space for discarding soiled shoes and clothing. This space will most often have a large utility sink.

NICHE - a recess in a wall (interior or exterior), especially for a statue. Usually curved at the back.

NOOK/BREAKFAST - A space adjacent to the kitchen for casual dining and identified only when it is not the only dining space.

OPEN FLOOR PLAN - A very popular concept in modern housing design. It’s primary characteristic is the major reduction in interior walls that tend to close up spaces into individual cubicles. It often incorporates a Great Room, Dining and Kitchen that are all open to each other.

OVERSIZED GARAGE - Identified as any garage with more that the typical two parking spaces. May also contain dedicated storage space or work area.

PARQUET FLOORING - flooring of thin hardwood laid in patterns on a wood subfloor. Inlaid parquet is decorative hardwood veneer glued in patterns to squares of softwood backing, then laid on a subfloor.

PATIO - paved recreation area, usually at the rear of a home.

PEDESTAL - in classical architecture, the base supporting a column or colonnade.

PEDIMENT - in classical architecture, a low - pitched gable above a portico. Also a similar feature above doors in homes. May be straight or curved, "broken" in the center, or solid.

PENINSULA/EATING BAR - A kitchen cabinet that projects out from the others allowing access to three sides. Most often features an overhang on at least one side for stools. This feature is also selection when a kitchen has a free - standing island with an overhang for stools on at least one side.

PERGOLA - a covered walk in a garden, usually formed by a double row of posts or pillars with joists above and covered by climbing plants.

PILASTER - a shallow pier or a rectangular column projecting only slightly from a wall that is primarily decorative.

PORCH - the roofed entrance to a house.

PORTICO - a roofed entrance to a house with columns, creating a temple - like facade.

PORTE - COCHERE - a roofed structure extending from the side or front entrance of a home over an adjacent driveway to shelter those entering or exiting a vehicle.

PRECAST CONCRETE - concrete components cast in a factory or on - site before they're used in construction.

PREFABRICATION - the manufacture of entire buildings or their components cast in a factory or on - site before they're used in construction.

QUOINS - dressed stones at the corners of buildings, often assembled so their faces are alternately large and small. Common accent in Georgian homes.

REAR ENTRY GARAGE - A garage that has doors that are not visible from the front. This type of garage is well - suited to lots with alley access.

REAR / CENTER COURTYARD - An outdoor space often bordered on three sides the walls of the house to create a private outdoor living area. May also include space for a swimming pool.

REAR GARAGE - Any garage that is located to the rear of the home regardless of the door location.

REINFORCED CONCRETE - Any concrete assemblies using steel reinforcing or wire mess to add tension strength to concrete.

RUSTICATION - masonry cut in massive blocks separated by deep joints. Used to give a rich, bold texture to an outside wall. Common in Romanesque homes. Effect sometimes simulated in stucco and other building materials.

RV GARAGE - A portion of a garage that features taller overhead doors to accommodate larger vehicles.

SAFE / GUN ROOM - Not only a secure space to lock away guns and other valuables, this is also a space designed to provide a safe spot to weather a storm.

SASH WINDOW - a window formed with sashes or sliding frames running in vertical grooves.

SCREENED PORCH/SUNROOM - A space that either allows ample sunshine or protection from pests such as mosquitoes. Because most often it is not a heated or cooled space, it is often referred to as a "three seasons room" and is usually not included in the total square footage.

SHUTTERS - window or door screens featuring horizontal slats that may be articulated, allowing control over air and light transmission. Usually made of wood. While they may be hinged, modern exterior shutters are often decorative and remain fixed to the wall alongside the window or door opening.

SIDE - ENTRY GARAGE - A garage whose doors are not located in front of the house facing the street. It’s doors can be located facing the side of the property, making them well - suited for a corner lot or a lot with enough side yard to allow for maneuvering. Doors can also be located on the side facing inward so that cars pass the front entry to enter the garage.

SILL - - the lower horizontal part of a window frame. Materials vary widely from wood to marble.

SKYLIGHT - a window set into a roof and ceiling to provide extra lighting. Sizes, shapes, and placement vary widely.

SOFFIT - the underside of any architectural element (for example, a building overhang or staircase). In modern homes, the wood or metal screening used to cover such areas.

SOLARIUM - a glass - enclosed porch or room, often used to display flowers and other plants; also called a sunroom or garden room.

SPLIT BEDROOMS - This term refers to single level house plans where the master bedroom is on one end of the house and the secondary bedrooms are on the other.

STANCHION - a vertical supporting beam that is mainly steel.

STUCCO - a sturdy type of plaster used on exterior walls. Often spread in a decorative pattern.

STUDS - smaller upright beams in a house, to which drywall panels, or laths for plaster, are attached.

SUITED FOR A CORNER LOT - Typically designs that feature a side entry garage that makes entrance from a flanking street the entrance of choice. May also be the type of design where the main from entry is positioned at an angle toward the front corner of the lot.

SUITED FOR A FRONT VIEW - Designs whose primary living spaces, indoor or outdoor, are positioned to take advantage of a view out the front of the home.

SUITED FOR A BACK VIEW - Designs whose primary living spaces, indoor or outdoor, are positioned to take advantage of a view out the back of the home.

SUITED FOR A SIDE - SLOPING LOT - Homes designed to accommodate a lot that slopes from one side to the other when facing from the street. This would include designs that feature a garage that is in a lower level.

SUITED FOR AN UP - SLOPING LOT - Homes designed to accommodate a lot that rises from the street. These can be garage under type homes or simply those designed for this type of slope.

SUITED FOR A DOWN - SLOPING LOT - Homes designed to accommodate a lot that drops from the front to the rear. These lots will most likely support a daylight or walkout basement.

SUITED FOR A NARROW LOT - Plans that are no wider than 50 feet.

SUITED FOR A VACATION HOME - A design with all of the typical residential features but due it’s general aesthetic appearance would be well suited for a resort area.

SUN DECK - An outdoor space, normally located above the first floor that is not covered.

TANDEM GARAGE - A garage designed to park at least two cars end to end. Often used on narrow lots where a larger garage is desired but the lot wide or the desired appearance does not allow it.

TEEN SUITE/JACK & JILL BATH - A bathroom that serves two secondary bedrooms. Can be accessible from hallway but not necessarily. Also refers to a secondary bedroom that has its own private bath.

TERRACE - a level promenade in front of a building. However, in residential architecture it is also synonymous with ‘patio’ Usually made of stone and accented with plants, statuary, etc.

TERRACOTTA - fired but unglazed clay, used mainly for floor and roof tiles. Can be fired in molds to produce a wide range of shapes. Usually red.

TERRAZZO - a sturdy flooring finish of marble chips mixed with cement mortar. After drying, the surface is ground and polished.

THATCH - a roof covering of straw, reeds, or even living grass. In modern homes, most thatching is only decorative, simulated with shingles.

THERMAL WINDOWS - windows designed with multiple, vacuum sealed panes to help reduce the window’s heat loss.

TIE - BEAM - the main horizontal beam in a roof, connecting the bases of the rafters, usually just above a wall.

TRANSOM - small, usually rectangular or fanlight window over a door or window. Some transoms open to cross - ventilate a home, while others are only decorative.

TRIM - the framing or edging of openings and other features on the facade of a building or indoors. Trim is usually a different color or material than the adjacent wall.

TRUSS - a number of wood planks framed together to bridge a space, such as a roof truss.

TURRET - a very small, slender tower. In modern homes, usually only ornamental.

2 MASTER SUITES - A design that features two completely separate master suites intended to accommodate either two individual owners a aging parents.

UNFINISHED/FUTURE SPACE - Any space, regardless of its location, that can be finished at a later date. Often refers to a bonus room or an unfinished daylight basement.

UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY - House plans with the primary laundry space upstairs.

UPSTAIRS MASTER - returns house plans for two - story homes with the master bedroom suite on the second floor.

VAULTED/VOLUME/DRAMATIC CEILINGS - Ceilings that are over 9 feet or sloping. Can range from being just enough higher to create a greater sense of spaciousness to defining a space from which you can look down onto a room from an upper floor. Can also include coffered or tray ceilings.

WAINSCOTING - Decorative paneling covering the lower two and a half to three feet of an interior wall. Usually wood in a plain design.

WALK - IN CLOSET - returns house plans with a bedroom closet that you can walk into.

WALK - IN PANTRY - returns house plans with a generous storage area either in, or adjacent to, the kitchen. Unlike a cabinet attached to the others in the kitchen, a walk - in pantry can also include a baking area and provide an abundance of storage space.

WIDOW'S WALK - a small, railed observation platform built out from the roof. Once used to scout for returning ships, such walks are usually square, done in elaborately - worked wrought iron or wood.

WINE CELLAR - A special place for your wine collection. Today's wine cellars are often greatly embellished spaces that can even be climate controlled for the serious connoisseur.

WORKSHOP - returns house plans with a space usually adjacent to the garage but can also be located in an unfinished basement. Well suited for crafts and hobbies.

WRAP - AROUND PORCH - A porch that most often conforms to the outside shape of the house, from the front to the side or sides, although it may not extend to the back to join a rear porch.

ZERO LOT LINE - These are designs well suited to build to where one wall is void of doors or windows so it can be placed directly on the property line. This blank wall often becomes your next door neighbor’s boundary of their outdoor space. It can also be used in a duplex situation where the wall between the units sites directly on the property line.