Glossary of Architectural and Building Terminology - N

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Nail-headed Moulding - A nail-headed moulding is an ornament consisting of a series of low four-sided pyramids resembling the heads of large nails. It is the same as the simplest form of dogtooth.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Narthex - A narthex is the portico in front of ancient churches; sometimes, the atrium or outer court surrounded by ambulatories. The term is generally used for any vestibule, lobby, or outer porch, leading to the nave of a church.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Nave - A nave is the central part of a church, so called from a supposed resemblance to a ship. It is the part of the church extending from the transepts to the principal entrances, or, if there are no transepts, from the choir to the principal entrance, but not including the aisles.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Neckmould - A neckmould is a small convex moulding surrounding a column at the junction of the shaft and capital.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Needle Beam - A needle beam is the horizontal cross timber which goes through the wall or a pier, and upon which the weight of the wall rests, when a building is shored up to allow of alterations in the lower part.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Newel - A newel is the upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights, the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones at the landings.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Nibs - In decorating, nibs are small particles of foreign matter embedded in a paint film and projecting above the surface so as to give ita rough feel and mar the appearance.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Niche - A niche is a recess or hollow in a wall used to house an ornament or statue
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Nigged - Nigged is a masonry term applied to hammer-dressed building stone.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Nogging - Nogging is rough brick masonry used to fill in the interstices of a wooden frame, in building.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

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Norman Style - The Norman style (also known as the English Romanesque) is a style of Romanesque architecture which arose in the tenth century but is typical of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and is characterized by great massiveness, simplicity, and strength, with the use of the semicircular arches, heavy round columns, and a great variety of ornaments, among which the zigzag and spiral or cable-formed ornaments were prominent.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.

Nosing - A nosing is that part of the treadboard of a stair which projects over the riser; hence the term is applied to any like projection, as for example the projecting edge of a moulding.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.