Glossary of Terms
Attic
The space above the ceiling and below the roof. Used for storage and train layouts
Basement
The space below the floor of the house, usually in the ground. Used for storage and train layouts
Ceiling
The top of a room, covered with plaster, drywall, or wood
Ceiling Joist
2x6’s on edge for insulation area and where the drywall is installed
Celler
Lower in height than a basement, also known as a crawl space. A place for food/roots and wine storage
Corner Strip
The exterior trim that is on the corner of a building, used to hide the corner, might be uneven so the building looks complete.
Deck
Open wooden area above the ground for dining and entertaining. Attached to the house
Driveway
You park on a driveway. The area in front of a garage made of concrete or blacktop, paver bricks
Dormer Windows
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof
Door
Hinged or moving entrance to a building or room. Known as: man door, service door, front door and rear door. Also, an obstacle that modelers must contend with for their layouts; aka duck-under, lift-outs or other ways
Eaves
Lowest part of the roof, where the soffit goes
Façade
The vertical face of a building, especially the front that looks to the street
Fascia
The boards or flat pieces of material to cover the ends of the rafters
Floor
The walking area of a building/room and for furniture
Floor Joist
Usually 2x8’s set on their edge to lay the floorboards on for strength
Gable End
A gable end refers to the triangular section of a building’s exterior wall that is located between the two sloping sides of a gable roof.
Garage
A building to park your car in or build your train layout in and for storage
Gingerbread
Elaborate detail and other superfluous ornamentation applied to the decoration trim of the house
Gutters
A trough fixed to beneath the edge of the roof to carry rainwater away from the house
Molding
An ornamentally shaped outline as an architectural feature, especially around doors and windows
Overhead Door
The door that lifts upward moving along a track system usually on a garage
Parkway
You drive on a parkway. Many times, near or next to a park
Patio
Outside area next to the house for dining and entertainment. Usually made of concrete or paver bricks
Phoenix
The mythological bird of ancient Greek that has a unique life cycle of death and rebirth. The bird is consumed by fire and is reborn by its own ashes. When the Phoenix is reborn, it comes back as a younger, stronger and smarter bird. Phoenix Model Buildings uses laser cutters; this is a source of fire!
Rafters
The structure beams that support the roof. Attached to the ceiling joints
Railing
36” tall or higher barrier to keep folks safe on the deck, so you do not fall off the deck
Ridge
Tallest part of the roof, where the rafters meet
Roof
The upper covering of the home, using plywood, shingles, metal or other forms of coverings to protect the structure
Roof Valley
A wide metal strip to form a divided area of the roof; V shaped where 2 sloping roof surfaces meet to form a channel for water runoff
Siding
Cladding material for outside of building. Short track for holding a train while the main line is being used
Shipboard
A type of siding format, how the siding is installed
Sill
A shelf or slab of stone, wood or metal the base of a window or doorway
Soffitt
Underside of the structure roof line, below the rafters, next to the exterior of the building
Studds
Upright supports the building to form the walls and holds the wiring and plumbing and wall boards
Walls
A continuous vertical structure, that divides a building into rooms
Windows
Opening in a wall, fitted with glass to admit light and air
Types of Homes
Bungalow
Small detached house style, usually one story, yet could have a partial second story and a front porch
Cabin
Small building with a high pitch roof, used for hunting/fishing. Has up to 3 sleeping areas. In a remote area
Cape Cod Style
A simple symmetrical design with a cozy feeling, usually a 2-story house with most of the upper floor is within the roof line and many dormers with windows
Colonial Architecture
Very similar to the Cape Cod House, yet the Colonial has a symmetrical façade, rectangular or square shape and simple, with elegant design elements
Craftsman House
Usually a single-story house using local materials with lots of wood interior, basement, and low pitch roof.
Bungalow
McMansion House
Large house on the farm, clean lines that give an informal and warm façade. Usually, 2 or 3 stories tall with a front porch
Ranch-style House
Large mass-produced homes with no/limited basement, and high-pitched roof. 2 story with a 3-car garage
Single story house with open floor plan and low pitch roof, an attached garage and usually a full basement
Split-level Style House
Townhouse
Multi-story home where levels are staggered, all connected by short flights of stairs. No full-size basemen
Single family home, mostly 2 or 3 stories tall, with a shared wall to another home
Tutor House
Usually a 2-story house with a high pitch roof, has exterior beams exposed, a façade of brick or stone. An English design.
Victorian House
Architecture that appeared during the reign of Queen Victoria and is characterized by its ornate and elaborate design. It features a steep gabled roof, and multiple stories.