Key Project Terms: Façade - Buildings

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Acronym Glossary

Find Building Data

Construction in My Neighborhood

Forms & Applications

Research Construction Professionals

Project Guidelines

Get Job Status Updates

Check an After-Hour Variance

File a Complaint

Resolve a Summons or Violation

Register for eFiling

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Key Points & Project Terms: Façade (Renovations)

The following is a list of useful terms to use when researching additional Façade information on each of the topics discussed:

Architectural Details

A wide range of facade elements such as cornices, moldings, facade sculpture which, as part of older buildings, could project into the public right of way

Architectural Terracotta

A hard-burnt glazed or unglazed clay unit used in building construction as cladding or veneer for exterior walls; terracotta unit can be plain or ornamental, machine-extruded or hand-modeled and is usually larger than brick or facing tile

Cavity Wall

An exterior wall, usually of masonry, consisting of an outer and inner wythe separated by a continuous air space, but connected together by wire or sheet-metal ties; the air space provides thermal insulation

Cladding

A protective or insulating layer fixed to the outside/exterior walls of a building or another structure

Coping

A protective cap, top, or cover of a wall, parapet, pilaster, or chimney; coping is often made out of stone, terracotta, concrete, metal, or wood; coping may be flat, sloping, double-beveled or curved to shed water to protect masonry below from penetration of water from above

Cornice

A projection that crowns or finishes part of the building element to which it is affixed; the exterior trim of a structure at the meeting of the roof and wall, usually consisting of bed molding, soffit, fascia and crown molding

Curtain Wall

The outer skin of a building; nonbearing wall of glass, metal, or masonry attached to the structural frames of a building exterior

Lintel

A horizontal structural member (such as a beam) over an opening for doors and windows, which carriers the weight of the wall above; lintels are usually made out of steel, pre-cast concrete, stone or woods

Netting

Generally composed of mesh, side ropes, ties and other components; netting is used at various construction sites, especially high-rise buildings; netting is installed on scaffolding to protect pedestrians and workers from falling debris

Parapet Wall

A continuous extension of the exterior wall, installed entirely above the roof of the building

Pilasters

Rectangular or semicircular projection from wall surface for reinforcement or use as a simulated pillar in entrances and other door openings; pilasters may also be installed as projections of the exterior wall itself

Pointing and Repointing

The mortar between the joints of masonry units such as bricks, stone etc.; repointing involves removal and replacement of existing with new mortar

Railings

A structure consisting of rails and their sustaining posts, balusters, or pillars, constituting an enclosure or line of division, as a balcony rail or roof rail

Scaffold

A temporary platform supporting workers and materials attached to the face of a building structure providing access to work areas above the ground

Sidewalk Shed

A site safety structure installed over a public sidewalk to protect pedestrians from falling objects during the erection or repair of a building

Suspended Scaffold

A scaffold consisting of outriggers from which wire cables are wound on winches on the scaffold platform

Veneer

A non-structural outer wall, membrane or skin of a building such as a single wythe of non-structural brick

Window Sill

A horizontal member at the base of a window opening made out of stone, sheet-metal wood or other material

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