Understanding Your Home’s Exterior
One of the first things I did when I transitioned from the interior design world into exterior design was create a cheat sheet outlining each part of the outside of the home. My previous experience up until that point had mostly been staging showhomes and helping our customers select their interior finishes, so I was completely lost when it came to the exterior elevation. I’d never heard of parging, could not wrap my head around the difference between a soffit and a fascia, and what the hell are muntin bars?
Today I wanted to share my cheat sheet with you. I’ve outlined the components I most often see incorporated onto new homes including the different roof styles, siding materials, and most the commonly used windows so that you can approach your new home or renovation confident that you and your contractor are speaking the same language.
Roof
Gable Roof
A gable roof is one of the most common roof structures and is made up of two roof sections that slope downwards in opposite directions. The peak of the roof line is typically perfectly centered between the two downward sloping roofs.
I’ve also heard others refer to these as ‘A style’ roofs, but in the industry we usually say ‘Front Facing Gable’, meaning the front face of the gable faces the street, or a ‘Side Facing Gable’, meaning that a section of the roof that slopes downwards is what faces the street.
Hip Roof
A hip roof is a roof where all four sides slope downwards. Hip roofs are often used on Prairie style homes.
Dutch Gable
A dutch gable is a combination of a gable and a hip roof. The lower portion of the roof would be a hip, with all four sides sloping downwards, but the top portion of the roof would be a gable roof. This style of roof is perfect for bringing a bit of a country cottage feel to the home.
Flat Roof
Quite simply, this is a horizontal roof with no slope. This style of roof is often incorporated on a more modern home, but also works great on a Prairie home.
Shed Roof
Think of a shed roof as half a gable roof, where the roof is made up of a single plane slopping downwards.
These roofs are also known as ‘lean-to roofs’ or ‘wedge roofs’.
Gambrel Roof
The easiest way to describe this style of roof is to imagine the style of roof you would expect to see on a traditional red bard. These roofs are usually symmetrical with two slopes on each side.
Gambrel roofs are a beautiful option for a Cape Cod style home.
Dormer
A dormers is a separate roofed structure that projects out of the main roof. They typically feature a window. You’ll often see dormers used in homes with a loft or a large attic space because they increase the amount of usable space in those rooms.
Fascia
A fascia is the long, straight board that is installed along the edge of the roof overhang. This is the board that your eavestrough may also be attached to.
Soffit
The soffit is the underside of the roof overhang.
Eavestrough & Downspout
Also known as gutters, the eavestrough is attached to the fascia and runs along the outer edge of the roof line. It’s purpose is to channel water to the downspouts.
The downspout is often installed along the corner of the home and it’s used to run the water that’s collected in the eavestrough off the roof and away from the foundation of the home.
Walls
Horizontal Siding
This is the style of siding you’ll most often see used on homes. Horizontal siding is exactly as it sounds, siding material that’s been installed horizontally on the exterior walls of the home.
Board & Batten
Board & batten siding is a siding material composed of wide vertical planks (boards) that are joined together with a thin vertical strip (batten) that’s installed over the seam of the two wider boards. You’ll often see this material installed on Farmhouse style homes.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is a durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance exterior cladding. This style of siding comes in boards ranging from 5 1/4” - 12” wide and is installed horizontally on the exterior walls. Most of the fiber cement siding I see comes from James Hardie, and because of that, you may also hear this product describes as ‘Hardie Plank’.
Fiber Cement Panel
Fiber cement panel is made of the same material as fiber cement siding but it comes in 4’x8’ sheets rather then horizontal boards. You’ll often see this material used on a more modern elevation, but it can also be used on a more traditional Tudor style home.
Shakes
Think of the little cedar squares you’d see installed on the walls of a cabin in the mountains. Those are shakes. Shakes come in a wide variety of materials and create a timeless look that is perfect for traditional homes.
Masonry
This is just a general term for ‘stone’ or ‘brick’.
Stucco
Stucco is an exterior finish material that’s made of aggregates, a binder, and water. It’s applied to the walls wet, but hardens to create a smooth, seamless finish.
Parging
Parging refers to a technique that’s used to finish the outside of a foundation wall. It’s a similar material to stucco and it protects the foundation from the elements.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure that there is between 12” - 24” of parging along the base of the home. When it comes to the street-facing sides of the home you’ll want to ensure that number is closer to 12” just like the house in this photo. This is something I often see overlooked and I can’t stress this enough. It. Looks. Terrible.
Accents
Shadow Band
A shadow band is a piece of trim that is installed right below the soffit. Shadow bands are a very simple way to make your home look a little more ornate and because of that, are most often incorporated on traditional homes.
Trim
‘Trim’ is a general term that can refer to window or door trims, but can also refer to the accent trims that separate different exterior materials or the trims that are incorporated simply because they look nice.
Shutters
Exterior shutters were originally used for privacy, security, and to control the amount of light that can get into the home. Today, they are most often used as decoration and are very appropriate for English Cottages, as well as on Cape Cod, Colonial, and other traditional-styled homes.
Louver
A louver (or Louvre), looks like a window blind and contains horizontal slats that are positioned at an angle to let light and air in, but to keep rain and direct sunshine out. These days louvers are not often used but if they are, they are decorative rather then functional.
Decorative Truss
A decorative truss is a triangular system of beams that are typically installed within a gabled roof line and appear to support it. These details are perfect for adding a rustic touch to the home.
Brackets / Corbel
An angled brace that may support or appear to support an object that projects out from the wall. Brackets or corbels are a great way to bring a little bit of interest to an elevation and can be incorporated onto a variety of different homes that range from very traditional to ultra modern.
Dentil Molding
A ‘Dentil’ is a rectangular block. A ‘Dentil Molding’ is a row of closely spaced dentils that form a molding. Dentil moldings are more often used inside the home as part of an ornate crown molding, but they can also be installed on the exterior of the home along the roofline.
Doors & Windows
Overhead Door
Overhead door is just another term for garage door.
Window / Door Trim
The material that is installed on the exterior wall around the outer edge of the window. Just like the grilles, the style of trim used can have a big impact on helping align your home with a specific style. But even if completely re-designing your exterior isn’t your goal, simply adding a 4” - 6” trim around your windows will go a long way in creating a more finished look.
Grilles / Muntin Bars
The narrow bars installed to visually separate the glass of a window into “panes” or lites.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the window grilles! The style of grille can significantly impact how much your home projects a certain style. I’m going to do a whole post about the different styles of window grilles and which architectural styles they pair best with. Stay tuned!
Sidelight
A window installed along the side of the entry door. Sidelights are a great way to bring extra light into your foyer or entryway.
Transom Window
A rectangular window, often installed above an entry, patio, or interior door. Transom windows are also perfect for bringing additional light into a narrow foyer.
Clerestory Window
A window that’s been installed in a high section of wall, often sitting above eye level. Clerestory windows are another great way to bring extra light into your space.
Picture Window
A large, non-operable window with a single pane of glass. The purpose of a picture window is to maximize the view, so they are most often used in living rooms.
Casement Window
A casement window is often used for tall, narrow openings. This type of window hinges at the sides and opens outward.
Awning Window
An awning window is similar to a casement window except that it opens by swinging up. This style of window goes well with a more modern style home.
Sliding Window
A sliding window is perfect for openings that are wider then they are tall. They open horizontally, with one pane sliding over top of the other. Sliding windows are one of the least expensive types of windows.
Single Hung Window / Double Hung Window
A single hung window is one where the top half (sash) of the window is fixed in place while the bottom sash can slide up and down.
A double hung window is one where both sashes move up and down.
Did you find this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
BY EMILY RADKIE
