What is the difference between a cornice and a valance?
What is the box above the window called?
- cornice. A valance is made with a wood top board, has a fabric front and may have fabric sides which hang loosely from the top board.
- Cornices. What is the purpose of a window valance? ...
- window. A valance is usually made of fabric that is hung from a curtain rod. ...
What does the name cornice mean?
- The topmost projecting part of an entablature
- A molding at the corner between the ceiling and the top of a wall
- A decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing Synonyms: pelmet, valance, and valance board
- Furnish with a cornice
How do you use the word cornice in a sentence?
use "cornice" in a sentence The cornice is decorated with a simple Greek key design, below which hang swags. The drapery recreates Edward vason Jones' 1971 design but with the more intense vermilion in the silk and the painted cornice .
How to make a cornice board out of wood?
What To Do:
- Build cornice frame. Cut lumber slightly larger than the width of your window. …
- Cover frame with batting. Cut batting to double the width of board and exact length. …
- Repeat with fabric. Spray batting with glue and wrap fabric around frame tightly. …
- Hang over window.
What are four types of cornice?
Different types of ceiling cornices The common ones include plaster, gypsum, paper covered gypsum or plaster, polyurethane, POP, glass reinforced concrete (GRC), medium density fibreboard (MBF) and timber.
What is the difference between a cornice and a coving?
Cornice is the generic term applied to a moulding designed to conceal the join between the wall and the ceiling. Coving usually refers to a type of Cornice that is uniform in profile.
Why is it called a cornice?
The term cornice comes from the Italian word meaning “ledge” and usually refers to some type of horizontal decorative molding. Such moldings may be three-foot-wide concrete bands adorning the top of a 30-story skyscraper or 6-inch sections of wood trim covering a drapery rod over living room windows.
What is a decorative cornice called?
However, house eaves may also be called "cornices" if they are finished with decorative moulding. In this sense, while most cornices are also eaves (overhanging the sides of the building), not all eaves are usually considered cornices.
Is cornice old fashioned?
Unless they are part of an intentionally created, vintage decor, cornice boards are not old-fashioned. Modern cornice boards are widely available, and traditional cornices easily are updated by the use of simple lines and fabrics.
What is the edging around the ceiling called?
Crown molding is literally what you think—an overhead crowning touch that flares out in the space where the walls and ceiling meet. Also known as cornice molding, it may be elaborate, with decorative cutouts, or simple and linear (Shaker) in design.
Do modern houses have cornices?
Whether you are a lover of the historic or the modern, there is a cornice to fit you and your home. Cornices are the decorative mouldings, which connect your interior wall and ceiling. They not only reflect light and brighten a room, but also help you create a home that is uniquely you.
Are cornices in style?
Cornices, whether made of wood cornice boards and stained to perfection or covered in a lovely fabric will always be in style for modern windows.
What is a classic cornice?
In classical architecture, a cornice describes an area or space that overhangs something else. It is the uppermost horizontal area that projects out over the top of a wall or below a roof line. A cornice is a common feature of ancient Greek and Roman architecture, where it is the uppermost part of the entablature.
What is the difference between cornice and moulding?
They both serve as the “cap” or “crown” to a wall or cabinet and can be modern and simple or elaborate and decorative. However, crown moulding is strictly an interior design element, unlike cornice, which we see in exterior and interior designs. You may also see crown moulding used with cornice in interior design.
How much does it cost to cornice a room?
For cornices, expect to pay: $4 to $16 per linear metre for cornice installation (mid-range) $5 to $10 per linear metre for supply and installation of cornices (mid-range) $7.50 per linear metre for a simple colonial cove cornice with top and bottom steps.
Is soffit and cornice the same thing?
Cornice is just a fancy word for the eaves detail at the edge of a building where the roof meets the walls, and on most houses, it includes the soffit and the fascia.
What is coving called in the USA?
Moulding (also spelled molding in the United States though usually not within the industry), also known as coving (United Kingdom, Australia), is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.
What is the thing between the wall and the ceiling called?
A cornice is a profiled moulding used to conceal the joint between a wall and a ceiling so that it does not have to be finished and any cracking along the joint is hidden. A cornice can be plain or highly decorative. Plain cornice may be referred to as 'coving'.
Are Architraves the same as cornices?
In classic architecture, a cornice was the top of three levels of an entablature. In Ancient Greece, an entablature would sit above a row of columns, which consisted of an architrave, the first layer, a frieze in the middle, and the cornice, the most decorative feature at the top.
Which type of coving is best?
Plaster coving is often thought to be the most attractive choice. Various mouldings like ceiling roses and door surrounds can be used to help you create a consistent design for the entire room.
What is a cornice?
Cornice. Not to be confused with Corniche. This article is about the architectural feature. For the overhanging snow form, see Snow cornice. In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element – the cornice over a door or window, ...
What is a cornice in architecture?
In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element – the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the top edge of a pedestal or along the top of an interior wall.
What is the difference between an open cornice and a wide box cornice?
In an open cornice, the shape of the cornice is similar to that of a wide box cornice except that both the lookouts and the soffit are absent. It is a lower-cost treatment that requires fewer materials, and may even have no fascia board, but lacks the finished appearance of a box cornice.
What is a closed cornice?
A close, closed, or snub cornice is one in which there is no projection of the rafters beyond the walls of the building, and therefore no soffit and no fascia. This type of cornice is easy to construct, but provides little aid in dispersing water away from the building and lacks aesthetic value.
What is the name of the mouldings used in Egyptian architecture?
Ancient Egyptian architectural tradition made special use of large cavetto mouldings as a cornice, with only a short fillet (plain vertical face) above, and a torus moulding (convex semi-circle) below. This cavetto cornice is sometimes also known as an "Egyptian cornice", "hollow and roll" or "gorge cornice", and has been suggested to be a reminiscence in stone architecture of the primitive use of bound bunches of reeds as supports for buildings, the weight of the roof bending their tops out.
What is a projecting cornice?
A projecting cornice on a building has the function of throwing rainwater free of its walls. In residential building practice, this function is handled by projecting gable ends, roof eaves and gutters. However, house eaves may also be called "cornices" if they are finished with decorative moulding. In this sense, while most cornices are also eaves (overhanging the sides of the building), not all eaves are usually considered cornices. Eaves are primarily functional and not necessarily decorative, while cornices have a decorative aspect.
What is the Cornice of Maison Carrée?
In classical architecture. Cornice of Maison Carrée ( Nîmes, France), an ancient Roman temple in the Corinthian order. In Ancient Greek architecture and its successors using the classical orders in the tradition of classical architecture, the cornice is the topmost element of the entablature, which consists (from top to bottom) of the cornice, ...
Why are cornices important?
The decorative feature of cornices was important in demonstrating wealth and power. Cornice designs could also be used to identify family ownership of certain residences because of their uniquely uniformed styles.
What are cornices used for?
In addition to creating a certain flair or stylistic feature in your home, cornices also provide an architectural functionality. This functionality differs between interior and external cornices.
What exactly are Cornices?
But in the world of architecture, a cornice is a horizontal, decorative moulding that sits between the wall and roof in both the interior and exterior of your home. ‘Cornice’ is an Italian word meaning ‘ledge’, so don’t be alarmed, the cornices we’re exploring today don’t require a pumice stone or file to get rid of.
Why do we need timber cornices?
Timber cornices provide a certain character in a room. They give homes an elegant, finished look, and the additional cost of using timber is offset by the natural and authentic aesthetic of the material. Timber should be properly treated to prevent shrinking or warping once installed.
What is an interior cornice?
As mentioned above, they are used to hide the joints between your wall and your ceiling and cover any cracks in the plasterboard. Interior cornices are also designed to brighten up a room by deflecting light from dark corners where there are often shadows.
What is the cornice in ancient Greece?
In classic architecture, a cornice was the top of three levels of an entablature. In Ancient Greece, an entablature would sit above a row of columns, which consisted of an architrave, the first layer, a frieze in the middle, and the cornice, the most decorative feature at the top.
What is the purpose of external cornices?
External cornices, particularly those that project from the side of a building, are designed to protect the outside walls by casting rainwater away from the building. On residential houses, roof eaves or gutters may perform this function. But an eave is also considered a cornice if it has a decorative appearance.
Why are cornices important?
Cornices had a basic utilitarian purpose, because they directed rainwater away from the sides of a building, but they quickly became a decorative element as well. Greek architecture had three orders:
What is a Cornice?
Buildings are made of many parts, like windows, doors and chimneys. They also have specific architectural elements that add style and decoration.
What is a cavetto cornice?
The Egyptian-influenced cavetto cornice features a concave surface and outward flaring top with design elements like leaves. A bracketed cornice includes repeated elements that give it a strong vertical emphasis, and began around the Italian Renaissance.
What is the Cornice style?
Another style is the bracketed cornice, a heavy decorative cornice with a series of repeating scrolls or elements that create a strong vertical emphasis.
Why is the cornice called the box?
Through different time periods, cornices displayed different designs, sometimes simple and geometric with clean horizontal lines, like the box cornice (named because it looked like a long horizontal box). But cornices could also be elaborate and very three-dimensional. Let's look at a few different styles.
What is a projecting cornice?
Related to bracketed cornices, a projecting cornice is one that sticks out to a considerable degree from the side of the building.
Where is the cornice located?
A cornice is decorative architectural trim located at the top of a wall near a roof or ceiling. The idea of a cornice comes from Greek architecture, where it was the top part of the entablature, the horizontal area above the columns and below the roof. One of the simplest forms of cornices was the box cornice, which featured simple geometric lines.
Why are cornices important?
Not only is this ideal for people seeking safety from the sun, but they can reflect some of the sun’s rays away and reduce a home’s overall temperature. Cornices also protect your building from damaging elements to preserve the look (and strength) of the building.
What is a cornice in architecture?
Technically, a cornice can be defined as a “ molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition .” That means that an interior cornice would reside on the inside of a building and an exterior cornice resides outside.
What is the cornice of a building?
Though cornice has taken on many meanings, it began as and still remains today as the horizontal structure that sticks out at the roofline of a building. It can be made of different materials, in different styles, in a variety of ways.
What is exterior cornice?
Exterior cornices are an easy way to add style and beauty to any building. They are generally pleasing to the eye and actually help to balance out the heavy accents that usually reside on the lower-half your viewing plane by adding a decorative touch to the upper-half.
What is Worthington Millwork?
Worthington Millwork is an American company, providing “ American Made Architectural Products ,” like columns, entrance systems, pergolas, exterior cornices, and more to customers since 1985. We’re here to help you with information on exterior cornices, other architectural elements, and designing the exterior of your building.
What is open/skeleton cornice?
Open/Skeleton cornice: This type is essentially a box cornice without the outer-box.
What type of cornice is most common?
Here are some of the most common: Box cornice: This type is very common and closes off the cornice of a building with a box-like structure for strength, which projects away from the walls. Open/Skeleton cornice: This type is essentially a box cornice without the outer-box.
What is a cornice in interior design?
Modern interior decorcornices provide a stylish way to hide window shade or drapery hardware and create a sense of uniformity in a room whose windows vary in size and height.
What is a cornice in a window?
An architectural window cornice is an unupholstered, design element normally made from wood that sits at the top of a window frame — primari ly to hide window shade and draper hardware . Fabric window valances and padded, fabric-covered pelmets are often somewhat inaccurately referred to as "cornices."
How to attach a cornice to a drapery rod?
Position the cornice on top of the 1x2 so it is centered over the drapery rod. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes through the cornice lid and into the 1x2. Fasten the cornice with 2-inch screws driven through the lid and into the 1x2.
Why is it important to measure the cornice box?
Because the cornice frame box needs to clear the curtains, rod, and finials, it's important to measure all around these elements before beginning the construction of your cornice.
What is crown molding?
Crown molding is the horizontal trim often seen where the wall meets the ceiling, and it's also used at the top of classical door and window trim assemblies.
Can you hang a cornice over a window?
A cornice is also not a valance, which are short panels of fabricthat can hang either alone at the top of a window or over a set of curtains or drapery panels for the purpose of decoratively covering the hardware.
What is a traditional cornice?
A traditional style cornice is more decorative, taller, and often curved. It is more commonly seen in classic or traditional style kitchens.
What is a contemporary cornice?
Source: Neptune. A contemporary cornice is cleaner, shorter, and has less ornate detailing to it. Oftentimes it will just be a plain square strip to add a little finishing detail to a kitchen.
What is skirting in kitchen?
Skirting. Skirting in a kitchen is slightly different from a plinth as it sits on the outside of the base cabinets and usually has some decorative detail. Skirting is more common in traditional and in-frame style kitchens. It gives a stronger and grander look.
What is a plinth and cornice?
What Is Cornice, Pelmet And Plinth? Cornice is the decorative trim that is fitted on top of wall cabinets and full-height cabinets. It comes in different styles, shapes, and sizes, depending on the design of the kitchen. Pelmet is the smaller trim that is fitted on the bottom of the wall cabinets at the front edge below the door.
What is an inset plinth?
An inset (or sometimes called recessed) plinth is when the plinth is set back a little bit from the bottom of the cabinet and doors. This is the most common style of plinth and allows a little bit of space for your feet to be tucked in when stood at the worktop or sink.
Do kitchens need plinths?
However, most kitchens will require a plinth. This is because it supports the structure of the kitchen and hides (often unsightly) cabinet feet. The exception is kitchens comprising freestanding cabinets that are installed as pieces of furniture.
Do modern kitchens have cornices?
It is very common that modern kitchens won’t have any cornice or pelmet fitted. It gives a more streamlined and clean look, which suits certain kitchen styles. It’s all down to personal preference and design taste. However, most kitchens will require a plinth.
What is a valance and a cornice board?
A valance and a cornice board are decorative encasings that can add a nice final accent or touch to your window coverings. Some valances and cornice boards are more casual-looking, and others are more formal, but either way, they are meant to match or complement your blinds or shades along with the décor of the room.
What is a valance?
One of a valance’s primary functions is to cover up hardware, curtain rods, and anything else at the top of a window you might want to adorn. A valance gives a continuous look and feel to any window covering. They can even tie together different window coverings in the same room.
What are valances made of?
Valances and cornice boards are usually made of fabric, wood, or metal, depending on the type of style of your window covering. They are meant to hiding the top hardware of your window coverings and give your windows a more tidy, interesting look.
Can valances be used as window treatments?
Valances are fashionable enough to be used as stand-alone window treatments, and they also work well in tandem with window blinds, shades, or drapery for a creative layering effect.
Overview
In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian cornice meaning "ledge" ) is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, around the top edge of a pedestal, or along the top of an interior wall. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown, as in crown moulding atop an interior wall or above ki…
In classical architecture
In Ancient Greek architecture and its successors using the classical orders in the tradition of classical architecture, the cornice is the topmost element of the entablature, which consists (from top to bottom) of the cornice, the frieze, and the architrave.
In modern residential architecture
A rake is an architectural term for an eave or cornice which runs along the gable of the roof of a modern residential structure. It may also be called a sloping cornice, a raking cornice. The trim and rafters at this edge are called rakes, rake board, rake fascia, verge-boards, barge-boards or verge- or barge-rafters. It is a sloped timber on the outside facing edge of a roof running between the ridge an…
As window treatment
The term cornice may also be used to describe a form of hard window treatment along the top edge of a window. When used in this context, a cornice represents a board (usually wood) placed above the window to conceal the mechanism for opening and closing drapes. If covered in a layer of cloth and given padding, it is sometimes called a soft cornice rather than a hard cornice.
Gallery
• Projecting cornice of a painted wooden Italianate residence
• The Wainwright Building by Louis Sullivan
• Cornice with running leaf pattern from Nishapur, 10th century, exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)
See also
• Eaves
• Geison
• Window cornice
External links
• Media related to Cornices at Wikimedia Commons
What Exactly Are cornices?
- You might think cornicessound like something that grows on the bottom of your foot. But in the world of architecture, a cornice is a horizontal, decorative moulding that sits between the wall and roof in both the interior and exterior of your home. ‘Cornice’ is an Italian word meaning ‘ledge’, so don’t be alarmed, the cornices we’re exploring today don’t require a pumice stone or file to get ri…
What Are Cornices Used for?
- In addition to creating a certain flair or stylistic feature in your home, cornices also provide an architectural functionality. This functionality differs between interior and external cornices.
Interior Cornices
- Interior cornices provide a number of functions. As mentioned above, they are used to hide the joints between your wall and your ceiling and cover any cracks in the plasterboard. Interior cornices are also designed to brighten up a room by deflecting light from dark corners where there are often shadows. Interior cornices can also make a room look ...
External Cornices
- External cornices, particularly those that project from the side of a building, are designed to protect the outside walls by casting rainwater away from the building. On residential houses, roof eaves or gutters may perform this function. But an eave is also considered a cornice if it has a decorative appearance.
What Are Modern Cornices Made of?
- Modern cornices are typically made from timber and MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard), but can also be constructed from plaster, paper-covered plaster, gypsum, polyurethane, or expanded polystyrene. Timber cornices provide a certain character in a room. They give homes an elegant, finished look, and the additional cost of using timber is offset by the natural and authentic aesth…
The History of Cornices
- In classic architecture, a cornice was the top of three levels of an entablature. In Ancient Greece, an entablature would sit above a row of columns, which consisted of an architrave, the first layer, a frieze in the middle, and the cornice, the most decorative feature at the top. In Ancient Greek and Roman architecture, cornices were also used to protect the sides of buildings by deflecting rain…
Cornice Types / Styles
- Cornices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The size of the interior cornice will be dependant on the size of the room, and the style will mostly be based on the theme, period, or aesthetic of the other mouldings in the home. Similar to skirting boards or architrave styles, in period homes, especially those from the Victorian era, cornices will be more elaborate and decorative, while mo…