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Architectural Millwork Terminology

Arch surround. Half-round or elliptical trim mounted above a door or window.

Bracket. Filigree or ornamental blocks between a vertical support and horizontal member. Brackets usually provide crossbracing or support between a post and beam or beam and cornice.

Capital. The decorative top of a column or pilaster.

Corbel. A short block or bracket projecting from a wall, often meant to provide support for a horizontal member.

Cornice. A projection at the top of a wall, under a roof’s eaves.

Dentil blocks. Blocks attached to a wall in a toothed pattern.

Dentil moulding. A toothed moulding attached to a wall.

Gable decoration. Triangular-shaped filigree or panel fit into the rake end of a gable roof.

Header or head. A horizontal projection over the top of a window or doorway.

Keystone. An angular block centered over a door or window in a header or mantle.

Louvers. Slatted panels of various shapes mounted in the upper portion of a gable wall to provide attic ventilation.

Mantel. A horizontal projection over the top of a doorway.

Mouldings. A variety of trim pieces, usually sold in lengths.

Pediment. A peaked, rounded, or other decorative panel directly above a doorway.

Pilasters. Decorative vertical columns attached to the wall or frame at either side of a doorway.

Quoins. Rectangular blocks that extend up the corner of a building.

Shutters. Operable or decorative window covers mounted to each side of a window.

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