Glossary of Terms
When reading about conservatories, you may have run across some unfamiliar terms. We have marked these terms with a dashed underline. If you place your mouse over the term, you will see the definition pop up next to it. This will occur throughout the site.- blind fastenedan invisible method of joining or attaching two or more items where the a fastener (screw, nail or other) is not visible
- clerestoryalso clearstory (pronounced CLEAR story) rows of windows above eye level that allow light into a space
- dentil moldinga small tooth-shaped block used as a repeating ornament
- extrusionforcing a base metal (frequently aluminum), at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape
- finialthe pointed decorative part of the roof at the end of the ridge
- joinerythe action of pre-building a timber conservatory in our shop
- knee wallshort wall, usually three to five feet in height
- muntin(pronounced MUHN tin) A strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window
- orangeryA partially solid roof conservatory
- powdercoatingthe type of paint on aluminum that is applied under high heat and melts on the surface of the metal: very hard, non-corrosive paint which can match any existing trim color on your house
- portal framesthe substructure rigid frame used on large conservatories
- roof cappingcapping the roof glass to make the roof waterproof
- roof crestingsthe arch cresting on the ridge and the finial at the apex designed to be decorative and also keep the birds off the roof (cause you know what they do do!)
- sunroom3-season room addition, usually not insulated
- solariumcontemporary designed sun structure, always constructed of aluminum
- thermal breakthe physical break or layer between two pieces of aluminum, designed to prevent the aluminum from conducting cold, heat and condensation
- transoma window over a door or another window that may be fixed or capable of being opened for ventilation
