Belt course
– Definition and Purpose:
– A belt course is a decorative row of stones or bricks in a wall.
– Also known as a string course or sill course.
– Helps emphasize horizontal lines like window sills.
– Distinguishes separate floors of a building.
– Commonly seen in Georgian architecture.
– Evolution and Functionality:
– Originated as a structural component.
– By the 18th century, became purely decorative.
– Used in tall buildings to transfer wall loads.
– Shelf angle and flashing used for water intrusion.
– Belt course used when flashing is aesthetically unpleasing.
– Architectural Significance:
– Prominent in Georgian architecture.
– Adds decorative detail to brick or stone buildings.
– Helps break up the verticality of tall structures.
– Enhances the visual appeal of window sills.
– Often projects from the side of the building.
– Related Concepts:
– Similar to a string course or sill course.
– Can be found in various architectural styles.
– Plays a role in defining the exterior appearance.
– Often used in conjunction with window sills.
– Enhances the overall aesthetic of the building.
– References:
– Sovinski, Rob W. (1999) – “Brick in the Landscape: A Practical Guide to Specification and Design.”
– American Face Brick Association (1920) – “A Manual of Face Brick Construction.”
– Morrison, Hugh (1987) – “Early American Architecture: From the First Colonial Settlements to the National Period.”
– Ballast, David Kent (2009) – “Architects Handbook of Construction Detailing.”
– Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belt_course&oldid=1215817994.
A belt course, also called a string course or sill course, is a continuous row or layer of stones or brick set in a wall. Set in line with window sills, it helps to make the horizontal line of the sills visually more prominent. Set between the floors of a house, it helps to make the separate floors distinguishable from the exterior of the building.
The belt course often projects from the side of the building. Georgian architecture is notable for the use of belt courses.
Although the belt course has its origins as a structural component of a building, by the 18th century it was almost purely a decorative element and had no functional purpose. In brick or stone buildings taller than three stories, however, a shelf angle is usually used to transfer the load of the wall to a hidden, interior steel wall. Flashing is used to cover the space exposed by the shelf angle to help limit the intrusion of water. Where flashing is considered aesthetically unpleasing, a belt course is often used.