|
|
Machicolation
 A corbelled wall-head with the corbels linked by small arches. In 'real' machicolation there were spaces at the heads of the arches for dropping offensive materials on people attacking the wall. Later the treatment became purely decorative.
Related Words
Arch; Corbel, corbel table, corbelling; Wallhead
|
|
|
|
Margin
 A raised band round a window or door, or at the edge of a wall. Sometimes an indication that a building was designed to be harled.
Related Words
Harl, Harling
|
|
|
|
Mason
A building trades craftsman who can work stone for inclusion in a building. For work on historic buildings a mason with experience in that field is essential.
|
|
|
|
Masonry
Building fabric made of stone. Sometimes the term masonry is used in reference to brickwork, but this is an undesirable expansion of the meaning of the word.
|
|
|
|
Mastic
 A mixture of linseed oil with burnt sand, used to seal a wooden window or door frame to the ingoes of the masonry or brickwork opening. The flexibility of the material accommodates the different rates of expansion between timber and stone.
Related Words
Brick; Ingoes; Masonry
|
|
|
|
Mechanical and electrical engineer
A professional with particular expertise in the design of environmental control and of electrical power supply. Often abbreviated to M & E engineer.
|
|
|
|
Modillion
 One of a series of projections under a cornice, especially in classical buildings.
Related Words
Classical
|
|
|
|
Monopitch
Used of a roof sloping in one direction only. Popular from the late 1950s to the 1970s, and again now.
|
|
|
|
Mortar
A material used to fill the gaps between stones, blocks or bricks in wall-building. It adheres to the components of the wall, creating a structural block. Traditional mortar was made with lime and sand, or clay was used as mortar. After the invention of Portland cement in the 1850s it was used as a substitute for lime, and is still used in that way. In finely-jointed ashlar a putty of lime in linseed oil is sometimes used. Generally speaking, mortar should be softer than the materials surrounding it, otherwise it may encourage decay. In historic buildings lime-based mortars are now preferred to cement-based ones.
Related Words
Ashlar; Cement, cementitious; Lime mortar, render, limewashing
|
|
|
|
Moulding
A linear ornamental feature of a building, of the same cross-section along its length.
|
|
|
|
Mullion
 In a masonry-framed window, a horizontal stone glazing bar. Also used for vertical stones.
|
|