What are buttresses? Well, a “buttress” is more than just a funny word.
In basic terms it is a support beam on a building most often seen in large projects like cathedrals and were very prevalent in Gothic style architecture. To spot one, look at the site of a gothic cathedral like the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This building famously has flying buttresses, which are the diagonal beams on the exterior that connect each of the spires on the side of the building. As the name suggests it abuts (supports) the structure and assists in wall reinforcement so it can support the weight of the roofs you put on top of the building.
When buildings are made from heavier materials, the buttress counters the force of the beams that want to push outwards because of the weight on them. The buttress counteracts this by pushing the beams in an inward direction. They are also designed for their good looks and are often ornately designed and carved to match the surrounding architecture.
Types of Buttresses
There are a few types of buttresses. They are:
- Flying buttresses
- Ordinary
- Brick and Masonry
- Clasping/clamed
- Diagonal or “French”
- Setback
- Angled
Roofing Buttresses
Over time buttresses have evolved to help support the weight of roofs and add extra architectural design flair. You can see a famous example of flying roof buttresses on Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris.
However, they can also be used to enhance commercial and residential roofs! Next time you are downtown see the roofs that catch your attention and really compliment the overall appearance of the building. Roofs address the human purpose of designing something where before there was nothing and will stand the test of time.
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