Glossary of Terms
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- Astragal
- A molding with a symmetrical, tapered profile used to create panels and for horizontal banding in cornice, wainscoting and pilaster assemblies. See profiles 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, & 2-5.
- Backband
- A molding used on the outside edge of a casing to add a square edge and to increase the casing thickness necessary for certain wainscoting installations. See profiles 14-23 & 14-34.
- Baluster, Beaded
- A square or rectangle stair member with a beaded profile used under the handrail as an alternative to a turned baluster in a stair rail assembly. See details 90, 91, 93 & profiles 75-5, 75-6 & 75-7.
- Base Block
- Also called a plinth block, this profiled block is installed at the base of a door casing and is thicker than the door casing and the baseboard. It's primary purpose is as a termination point and a meeting point for the casing and baseboard. See details 47, 48 & 49.
- Baseboard
- A molding or assembly of two moldings horizontally installed at the base of a wall. See details 77 & 79.
- Base Cap
- The upper portion of a baseboard assembly used in conjunction with a baseboard to additional height and detail. See details 77 & 79.
- Batten
- A symmetrical molding covering the seam in a batten wainscoting assembly. See detail 80.
- Bed Molding
- A family of profiles used for both interior and exterior decoration. May be installed under window sills and watertables and is also used in the assembly of cornices and beams. See details 44 & 45 and Profiles 8-10 to 8-23.
- Box Cornice
- A construction assembly of flatstock and moldings used in the creation of large architectural elements including main cornices at the top of buildings, window hoods, portico boxes over main entryways. See Details 41, 42, 43 & 44.
- Bracket
- Also known as a Corbel, this element is used as a support to an architectural element. Made in wood or cast in Gypsum. Can be found on main cornices at the top of buildings, supporting window hoods, porticos over main entries, mantles, shelves, interior arches and beam ceilings. See details 41, 42, 61, 69, 74 & 75.
- Capital
- The decorative cap used on round columns and flat pilasters. See details 16, 18, 31, 50, 57, & 62.
- Casing
- A molding or assembly of moldings framing doors and windows varying in detail. See Mitered casings detail 47, Hooded casings detail 48 and blocked casings detail 49.
- Casting
- Architectural castings have been used for centuries in traditional
architecture as an efficient and effictive way to enhance both interior
and exterior surfaces of buildings. This unique selection is hand
cast in our San Francisco studio by skilled artisans using traditional
techniques to ensure the finest detail common to the medium. Cast shells
with fiber reinforcement, our castings provide strength and minimal
weight for ease of shipping and installation.
- Ceiling Centerpieces
- A decorative medallion or rosette round, oval or square, applied to the center of the ceiling at the light fixture. Purely for decoration and to soften the point of attachment of the fixture to the ceiling. Please use our selection guide to assist your choice.
- Chair Rail
- A molding applied directly against the plaster wall parallel to the floor and baseboard. It is generally placed 30 to 40 inches above the floor. Provides horizontal definition and protection of plaster walls.
- Corner Bead
- A molding that fits into an inside or outside corner where a mitered joint would not be practical. Used for both interior and exterior decoration. See profiles 51-12 & 50-13.
- Corner Block
- A square block with a turned center profile used as a decorative alternative to mitered casings at the top of doors and windows.
- Cornice
- A molding or combination of moldings applied where the wall meets the ceiling. Used to crown the wall to enhance and detail the transition between wall and ceiling. Cornice size is determined by ceiling height. Cornices are made from wood and plaster. Plaster cornices allow for more detail and relief. See design detail stacks.
- Cove Molding
- A style of moldings with a distinctive concave shape.
- Crests, Shields & Gable Ornaments
- A series of applied ornaments made from wood and cast plaster. Used to add definition and relief on walls, gables and over doors and windows.
- Crown Molding
- A family of molding derived from early Greek Cyma Recta styles. Used to cap walls, pilasters, cabinets and to create interior and exterior cornice assemblies, door and window hoods.
- Dental Crown
- A decorative lineal molding with progressive vertical cuts in its face resembling teeth. In smaller versions set into the face of crown moldings for the interior cornices. Used on the exterior in larger versions made from gypsum and wood. See D-1, D-4, D-3 or Gypsum 356-02.
- Egg & Dart
- A relief molding consisting of an egg-shaped detail alternating with an arrow or darts between each one. Cast of gypsum and used on interior and exterior cornices.
- False Beam Ceilings
- This hollow design gives the impression of heavy timber construction. See details 8, 11, 12, 16, & 17.
- Festoon
- A decorative shaped wreath, floral pattern, or fabric pattern in a continuous detail found on exterior frieze panels on the face of buildings or as part of an interior cornice system.
- Fireplace Surround
- A large individual molding or assembly of moldings mitered around the facing of a fireplace.
- Flat Stock
- A random length of flat board with square edges and no detail. Also referred to as S4S material or "surfaced four sides."
- Fluted Casing
- A series of moldings with concave grooves (flutes) cut into the face. Used for creating pilasters around windows, doors and cabinets. See details 50, 54, 62 & 64.
- Frieze
- The panel between the picture rail and the crown. See details 1, 2 and 18.
- Grounds
- A molding with a profile cut on one edge used as a foundation for molding assemblies.
- Half Rounds
- A family of moldings with a half profile in varying diameters. Used to create horizontal and vertical bands and relief on flat surfaces.
- Handrail
- The uppermost part of the stair balustrade used for stability or gripping as you ascend or descend a stairway.
- Head Block
- A large rectangular decorative block similar in use to the corner block. While the corner block is always square, head blocks are larger, highly detailed and milled in unusual shapes. Used at the tops of doorways and windows. See Detail 49.
- Header Crowns for Doors
- An assembly of moldings designed to achieve a crowning effect to the doorway. It uses a crown molding mitered around a piece of flat stock mounted horizontally above the doorway. See details 48, 50, 52, 53 & 54.
- Newel Posts
- The main posts at the bottom of the stairway balustrade system used to terminate the balusters and handrail components. See details 90, 91, 93 & 94.
- Nosing
- A molding that combines half and cove profiles used to terminate stair treads, porch landings and furnish detail at newel posts columns. See profiles 55-1 and 55-4.
- Panel Molding
- A large variety of molding profiles varying in size and shape used to create and/or define panels either on flat or recessed surfaces. Used for interior and exterior details on doors, cornices, wainscoting, mantles, etc.
- Parting Bead
- A small narrow molding used to separate and guide the upper and lower window sash in Victorian double hung wood windows.
- Pediment
- A constructed ornamental cap for a window or door supported by brackets, corbels, or pilasters. See details 52, 55 & 57.
- Picture Rail
- A molding mounted horizontally on a wall below the ceiling or cornice. Used to hang pictures or to define the frieze area under the cornice. Available in wood and plaster.
- Pilaster
- A flat fluted molding assembled vertically with a pilaster cap and base to simulate flat columns. Used on windows, doors & mantles. See details 57, 62 and 65.
- Plate Rail
- A shelf crown profile that projects from the wall with grooves cut in the top to display dishes vertically. Used in dining rooms, kitchens and restaurants. Apply at least six feet from the floor with coves and bed molding underneath to create a smooth transition to the wall.
- Portico
- Similar in detail and construction to a pediment but larger and projected further from the building. This creates an ornamental overhang that is sometimes adorned with balustrade on the roof. See detail 61 Simple Portico.
- Quarter Round
- A molding with quarter circle profile used in corners to create a transition from one surface to another.
- Shoe Rail
- A small molding generally mounted at the bottom of a baseboard and the floor. Sometimes referred to as a base shoe.
- Sill
- A molding mounted horizontally at the base of a window. Tied intricately with both the interior and exterior window construction, the sill provides a terminus for the window casing. See details 27, 29 and 30.
- Stop Molding or Window Stop
- A small molding holding the upper and lower window sash in place on double hung Victorian windows.
- Stucco Molding
- A molding designed to be attached to wood windows and doors used as a transition and a stopping point for the exterior stucco covering the house. See profiles 50-7, 50-8 & 50-9.
- Wainscoting
- A group of moldings assembled to create an entire wall covering system. Built into and over the walls from floor to ceiling depending on the design and complexity of style. Basic groups include: Tongue & Groove - detail 78; Board & Batten - detail 77 & 83; Paneled - details 79, 84, & 85
- Wainscot Cap
- A cap molding for wainscoting made in various styles.
- Wood Molding
- A plane, or curved, narrow surface, either sunk or projecting, used
for decoration by means of the lights and
shades upon its surface. Moldings vary greatly in pattern, and are often used in groups, the different members of each group projecting or retreating, one beyond another.