Detailed Parts of a Lehigh Valley Historic Home
Historic Homes in the Lehigh Valley combine many types of Architectural styles. Roofs, gables, dormers, and other factors all combine to make each house very unique. The following definitions are intended to give a simple overview of the different sections and parts of historic homes that make Real Estate in Lehigh Valley exciting and interesting.
Turrets and Pinnacles
Medieval historic homes almost always showcase a home with turrets and pinnacles. These add a castle like appearance to the house.
Bethlehem and College Hill Historic Homes have great examples of turrets and pinnacles.
Cupola
Cupolas aren't very common in Lehigh Valley Homes but they are in some homes. They tend to be more common in homes near the ocean.
Widow's Walk
Typically on the main roof of the house, the Widow's Walk is more common on houses along the coast where the wifes of sailors used to go to watch the sea for the return of their loved one.
Cresting
Cresting is the decorative trim along the ridge line of a roof.
Gable Ornamentation
Gables, especially in the medieval style home, tend to be very decorative with intricate wooden designs framing them and fancy finials above them.
Bargeboard, Vergeboard or Gingerbread
This is the detailed wood that typically frames gable roofs. It is commonly called Bargeboard although it can be further broken down into more detailed specifics depending on the detail in the trim.
Finials
A finial is an ornament typically at the top or apex of a gable roof. Finials vary in size and shape and were often times used as lightning rods or to ward off witches trying to land on the roof. Finials are common on many of the historic homes and properties found throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Dormers
Dormers are found on historic homes as well as modern homes. Dormer types are Gable, Arched, Hip, Shed, Flat, and Inset. Dormers are named after the roof types that showcase them.
 
Entablature
Commonly found in Greek Architecture, the Entablature is typically above the columns holding the roof and is broken into 3 sections: Cornice, Frieze and Architrave.
Dentils
Dentils come from Greek architecture and are a series of rectangles used to decorate cornices. Looking like teeth, Dentils are found in historic homes in Bethlehem, Nazareth, College Hill and other areas throughout Lehigh Valley. They are more common on government and official buildings which have a greek type architecture.
Brackets
Brackets, they actually do look like shelf brackets, provide visual and sometimes structural support to a cornice, balcony or window. Some of the detail is phenomenal.
Quoining
Quoining is the detail, usually rectangular and wooden, that goes up the corners of the house.
Roofs
The basic roof types are Shed, Gable, Butterfly, Hip, Gambral (or Dutch), and Mansard.
Many of these roof types are combined to make the terrific Historic Homes in Lehigh Valley.
Mansard Roof with Decorative Chimney
Windows
Windows and window shapes help distinguish the style of the home.
Palladian Window
Gothic Window
Door Lights
Door lights refer to the windows around the door. Windows, in a fan shape above the door, are called Fanlights. Windows in a row across the top are Transoms. Windows down the sides of the door are called Side Lights. Doors can be very fancy especially in Renaissance Classical homes in which the door is the focal point. Bethlehem and Easton Real Estate and Properties have many historic homes with Door Lights being the central focus of the house.
Fanlight
Transom and Side Lights
Lehigh Valley Home Sellers and Buyers have the ability to purchase or sell a home with many different historical features.
Historic Home Information Center
Bethlehem Historic Homes
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