Kansas Barn Alliance

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Barnology - Glossary of Barn Terminology

BANK BARN-Two level barn whose upper level is entered from a bank or hillside or by a ramp constructed against the barn.

BATTEN-A narrow board used to cover gaps between siding boards or sheathing; also used to brace and stiffen boards joined edge-to-edge as in a batten door.

BAY-Area of a building, physically defined and used for specific functions.

BENT-Heavy timber framework section of barn's superstructure, which is connected to similar sections to complete the barn frame.

BENT CONFIGURATION-Pattern produced by posts, tie beams, and braces of an assembled bent.

BOX STALL-A walled enclosure in which an animal can move about untethered.

CANTILEVERED-Supported by beams that extend from the supported feature (e.g., a forebay) back beneath the superstructure of a building.

COLLAR-(Collar tie)-A horizontal member connecting and stabilizing rafter pairs. It may be in compression to prevent rafters from sagging or in tension to prevent rafters from spreading.

COLLAR BEAM-The horizontal member that connects and stiffens opposing principal rafters, thus stabilizing the roof truss.

COMMON RAFTERS-Light, inclined timbers, which are supported by purlins and which support the roof cover.

CUPOLA-Small, tower-like structure on roof providing additional light and ventilation.

EAVE-Lower overhanging edge of a sloping roof.

FOREBAY-Eave side over-hang of upper level of the barn. (Forebay comes from the terms Vorbau or Vorschuss in low German.)

GABLE-Triangular upper wall space extending from the eaves to the roof ridge.

GABLE ROOF-A ridged roof terminating at ends in a gable.

GAMBREL ROOF-A ridged roof each side of which has two slopes.

GIRT-Horizontal framing member connecting end posts below roof plate.

HAY HOOD-An extension of the ridge of a barn roof which protects or supports pulley attachments used to load hay into the loft.

HAY TRACK AND FORK-Pulley and fork mounted on track below roof ridge, used to carry hay or straw into mow.

HEWN BENTS-Bent made of framing members that have been cut and shaped using hand tools.

JOINERY-The craft of connecting timber-frame members by forming joints.

JOISTS-Any of the parallel timbers that hold up the planks of a floor or the laths of a ceiling.

KING POST-A vertical supporting post between the apex of a triangular truss and the base, or tie beam, as at the ridge of a roof.

LINTEL-A beam with its ends resting on two posts, often over a wall opening such as a window or door.

LOFT-Hay and straw storage area above stable; upper level storage area of a barn.

MORTISE-In a mortise-and-tenon joint, the slot or hole cut into one member, into which is inserted the tenon from another member.

MOW-Space in barn reserved for hay and straw storage.

PLATE-A beam capping the exterior posts or studs to support the rafters.

POST-TO-PURLIN-Barn bent in which interior posts reach to purlin, eliminating the need for queen posts.

PURLIN-Timber placed under and horizontal to rafters to provide their support.

QUEEN POST-Vertical or canted roof framework member supporting purlin and resting on the tie beam.

QUOINS-Interlocking, alternating stone blocks laid at wall corners to add strength to the corner.

RAFTER-Any of the boards that slope from the ridge of a roof to the eaves and serve to support the roof.

RIDGE BOARD (Ridge Pole) Board connecting rafter ends at peak of gable roof.

ROOF FRAMEWORK-Arrangement of queen posts, struts, and braces which supports the purlins and roof rafters.

SILL-Heavy frame member resting on foundation and supporting posts and braces of outer wall frame.

STALL

STANCHION

STRAINING BEAM-Heavy member placed horizontally at the head of queen posts to prevent inward collapse of the truss.

SUMMER BEAM-Heavy main horizontal beam, anchored in gable foundation walls, that supports barn frame above or forebay beams.

TENON-In mortise and tenon joints, the short shaft projecting from one member which is fitted into mortise in other joint member

THRESHING FLOOR-Floor space between mows, on which grains were hand-threshed by flailing.

THRESHING WALL-A wall, usually about three feet tall, between the threshing floor and an adjacent bay. (Sometimes called "waste wall".)

TIE BEAM-Uppermost cross beam which connects end posts of bent.

TIMBER FRAME-Frame construction used in vernacular buildings before 1900 in Europe and America consisting of heavy, frequently hand hewn, hand fitted members which are connected by mortise and tenon joints.

TONGUE AND GROOVE-A joint in which a tongue or tenon in one board fits exactly into a groove in another.

TROLLEY-A wheeled apparatus that rolls on an overhead rail or track and from which is suspended a grappling fork. This was used to unload loose hay from a wagon. The fork, filled with the hay would then be drawn up by rope to the trolley and moved to the desired place in the hay mow. A trip rope would then drop the hay.

TRUSS-Triangular arrangement of beams, braces, and ties to form a rigid framework.

This glossary is from a larger one compiled by Kyle Peterson, Beloit, KS. Kyle serves on the Advisory Committee of the Kansas Barn Alliance.