Preservation

Preservation

The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property.

awning

Awning

A sloping, rooflike structure that projects from a building (generally above the storefront) and covers the sidewalk. Awnings can be retractable or fixed. Although usually made of fabric stretched across a metal frame, awnings can also be made of wood or metal.

ornamentation

Building Ornamentation

A decoration in architecture used to embellish parts of a building or object.

canopy

Canopy

Like awnings, canopies are rooflike structures that project from a building (usually above the storefront) and cover the sidewalk. While awnings are sloped, however, canopies are flat and are not retractable. Canopies can be made of wood, metal, glass, concrete or fabric.

cornice

Cornice

The decorative band at the top of a building.

curtilage

Curtilage

The immediate area or context surrounding an historic resource, dwelling, or property.

Efflorenscence

Efflorenscence

A type of masonry deterioration in which moisture inside the wall evaporates and leaves a residue of soluble salts on the building's surface. If detected early, the salts can be safely removed.

facade

Facade

The face of a building, especially the principal front that looks onto a street or open space.

fenestration

Fenestration

The arrangement of windows on a building.

Ghost sign

Ghost Sign

An old hand-painted advertising sign that has been preserved on a building for an extended period of time. The sign may be kept for its nostalgic appeal, or simply indifference by the owner. Ghost signs are also called fading ads or brickads. Old painted advertisements are occasionally discovered upon demolition of later-built adjoining structures. The painters of the signs were called "wall dogs".

historic building storefront

Kickplate

The bulkhead below a storefront display window. The kickplate protects the storefront window from breakage by elevating it several feet above the sidewalk.

lintel

Lintel

The structural member above a storefront that supports the parapet or upper wall.

marquee

Marquee

A permanent canopy over an entrance. Usually found on hotels or theaters, marquees are generally made of metal and glass and are often brightly lit.

window

Muntins

Strips that separate glass panes in a window.

oriel

Oriel

A large bay window projecting from the upper façade.

building parapet

Parapet

A low wall at the edge of a roof. Most traditional commercial buildings have flat roofs, with parapets along the front. The roof usually slopes away from the parapet at a slight angle, helping provide drainage for rainwater.

home pediment

Pediment

The triangular space that forms a gable at the top of a classical building with a pitched roof.

prismglass

Prism Glass

Architectural glass which bends light. It was frequently used around the turn of the 20th century to provide natural light to underground spaces and areas far from windows.

repointing

Repointing

The repair and replacement of mortar between masonry units (bricks, stone, etc.).

restoration

Restoration

Is defined as the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time be means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period.

rosette

Rosette

A typically circular motif that secures two cast-iron lintels together.

window

Sash

The metal or wood framework that surrounds panes of glass in a window or door.

spalling

Spalling

A form of deterioration in which the surface of a masonry unit - usually brick - chips or flakes off. Spalling is generally caused by the freeze-thaw action of moisture trapped inside the masonry; when the ice particles melt, they expand, causing the masonry to flake apart. If moisture problems are detected early enough, spalling can be prevented.

storefront

Storefront

The ground-floor, front façade of a traditional commercial building. The storefront space is designed to facilitate retail activity by providing display space for merchandise and helping blend the sidewalk and the store interior.

historic photo of prosser

Streetscape

The sequence of buildings along the street. In downtown commercial areas, the design characteristics of the streetscape are as significant as those of individual buildings in creating a visually cohesive district.

Pigmented glass

Structural Pigmented Glass

A type of decorative glass (not structural, despite its name) used to cover a building façade. Structural pigmented glass known primarily by the brand names Carrara and Vitrolite was developed in the 1920s and used widely in Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture and in buildings remodeled from the 1920s to 1950s.

rod

Tie Rod

A rod (usually steel or iron) used as a structural brace. Tie rods often help secure a building's façade to its structural framework by connecting the façade to a wood or metal joist or beam inside the building. Tie rods are frequently capped on the outside of a building with small metal plates shaped like stars or florets. 

transom

Transom

The window area directly above storefront display windows. Transom windows filter light back into narrow traditional commercial buildings, illuminating the interior. Transom windows can be operable or fixed, clear or patterned.

window-hood

Window Hood

A projecting member above a window that is both structural and decorative; typically of stone or cast iron.

Stabilization

Is defined as the act or process of applying measures to sustain the existing form, integrity, and material of a building or structure.

Rehabilitation

The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.