Terminology

[Penners]

I'm not often at a loss for words, but can anyone please help me with this one? For clarification, I'm referring to a timberframe structure, and I want to describe the opening that the window frame will be fitted into.

The horizontal member that forms the top of a window reveal is a lintel. But what's the word for the member that forms the bottom of the reveal - i.e. parallel to the lintel?

Normally I would describe it as "the bit at the bottom", but that doesn't look very professional on a planning drawing.

 

[Nemesis]

Cill?

http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/cill.html

 

[Penners]

Thanks, Nem. But isn't the cill (sill?) the sticky-outy bit* that's part of the window frame itself - at the bottom to deflect rain away from the wall?

I'm after the term for the member underneath that.

*Tell me if I'm getting too technical for you.

 

[Nemesis]

Well not all windows have wooden stickyouty bits - mine don't, the stickyouty bit is stone and we call it the cill.

http://www.leadsheetassociation.org.uk/html/1425.html

 

[Penners]

I appreciate that the material may change, but - as you say - it's the sticky-outy quality that I associate with a cill.

But (and again - I'm talking about a timberframe building/timber window frame) if you were to remove the window frame, the cill would normally come with it.

That would leave a horizontal member at the bottom of the hole that the window frame sat in. That's the thing I'm interested in naming.

In your stone building I imagine the arrangement is different.

 

[Nemesis]

Hmmm... here are some pics.

http://www.thorogood.co.uk/products.php?content_id=mouldings_detail&product=6


And here is a video.
http://environment.uwe.ac.uk/video/Index.htm

http://environment.uwe.ac.uk/video/history/section2.htm




I think Andrew will know but he's probably now gone home until Monday.

Middi might know either...

I will have a shufti in books. Timber framing isn't my thing.

It's a sort of beamy bit as opposed to a posty studdy bit I suppose.


Timber Frame Components
Most timber frames in Suffolk are concealed behind render, rather than being exposed as is more usual in the West of England. Exceptions to this where the framing is exposed include rare survivals of early buildings with wattle and daub infill, or occasionally brick nogging between the studs, buildings of high prestige built to show off fine straight close studwork and buildings 'restored' during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Apart from the very earliest buildings, the frames are built off soleplates (1) set just above ground level on a brick or flint plinth. Into the soleplate are fixed vertical studs (2), usually at fairly close centres, topped by a wallplate (3) at first floor level. This carries the floor joists (4) which are sometimes cantilevered as a jetty (5) before the first floor walling studs (6) are added. A further wallplate (7) at roof level tops these and carries the roof structure, which can take many forms but usually comprises purlins (8) across the slope carrying rafters (9) which run up the slope. Where plates occur within a building, these are effectively beams carrying the floor joists.

A dragon post occurs where two adjacent walls around an external corner are jettied, and it carries the diagonal beam on which the jetties meet.

Timber frame components were generally held together using mortice and tenon type joints, secured by small oak pegs about half an inch in diameter. The survival of peg holes can tell the building historian a great deal about changes subsequent to the original construction, particularly where studs or braces have been removed.

 

[biffvernon]

The horizontal member that forms the top of a window reveal is a lintel. But what's the word for the member that forms the bottom of the reveal - i.e. parallel to the lintel?

In a timber framed building, I'd be inclined to call the bit across the top the window head. It would be a lintel in a brick or stone building where the lintel holds up the stuff above rather than in a timber frame where it ties things together.

My book on such things is silent about the bit across the bottom though. Maybe a sub-sill plate?

 

[Nemesis]

This doesn't say either, although very helpful on other things:

http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/Environment/Buildings/traditionaldetails/Timber+Frame+Repairs.htm#timber1

http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/Environment/Buildings/traditionaldetails/Windows.htm

 

[Penners]

In a timber framed building, I'd be inclined to call the bit across the top the window head. It would be a lintel in a brick or stone building where the lintel holds up the stuff above rather than in a timber frame where it ties things together.

My book on such things is silent about the bit across the bottom though. Maybe a sub-sill plate?

Thanks Biff - isn't the "head" the top horizontal member of the window frame itself? The lintel then forms the top of the "hole" into which the window frame is inserted. In a timber-frame building, the lintel still does some supporting work, as it carries the short vertical studs that rise from above the window hole to the plate above.

However, I like "sub-sill plate", and unless someone can give me a more definitive answer, that's what I'll call it.

 

[Nemesis]

Or even just a sub-sill?'

Here's whole load of architectural terms to keep you busy

http://www.hvva.org/hvvaglossary.htm

 

[Penners]

Just to clarify what I'm talking about, I've done a quick-and-dirty sketch (no, Nemesis, not that sort of dirty).

I need the correct term for ???

 

[Nemesis]

Try a google for sub-sill...

In your sketch you have as cill not where I would suggest a cill would be... I think a cill is at the bottom? (ooh er missue etc...)?

 

[Penners]

Here's whole load of architectural terms to keep you busy

Ooh - just what I needed to stop me twiddling my thumbs.

Actually, it's a very interesting site, and restores my faith in my preferred spelling of "sill".

 

[Nemesis]

It's usually cill though! I think that's a US site.

They seem both to be used.

 

[Penners]

In your sketch you have as cill not where I would suggest a cill would be... I think a cill is at the bottom? (ooh er missue etc...)?

You're absolutely right. That'll teach me to rush. I meant "lintel". I ought to edit the drawing re-post and re-link it, but I can't be @rsed. It's my turn to get supper!

 

[Nemesis]

Not to worry! My technical experts on timber framing are all probably in the pub...

I've had a look in books but so far nothing, sorry.

 

[Gervase]

I'd be tempted simply to call them the top and bottom trimmers for the window.
But I'm an uncouth and prosaic sod.

 

[Flyfisher]

In the scientific world, new things are often named after the discoverer.

Since no-one seems to know the 'proper' name for the thing in question it must be a new thing, so how about calling it the 'Penners' beam, or similar

At the very least it'll get the planners reaching for their textbooks when the drawing is submitted!

 

[Penners]

I'm an uncouth and prosaic sod.

Oh, tush and fie, sir. I may not agree with your words but I shall support to the death your right to use them.

 

[Penners]

how about calling it the 'Penners' beam

Well, I suppose being remembered as a piece of thick wood is better than not being remembered at all.... :?