Quoin
This rectangular block, often made of stone, helps square away the corner of a house
Quoins are the stone blocks used at the corners of Georgian-style masonry houses. They were traditionally granite rectangles which were placed in an alternating pattern and served as a structural element for load-bearing walls. Now they are primarily decorative and made from any number of materials. Even foam can be molded into many shapes and glued to exteriors, creating a quoin that is much lighter than cast stone and more cost effective to install.
Quoins were used at corners to support the weight of multiple stories and stone roofs, in a time before architects had created internal load bearing structures.
These quoins were applied to the stucco of this home's facade in an alternating pattern, then painted to add contrast.
The quoins on this Mediterranean home resemble limestone.
The brickwork on these exterior corners has been laid to resemble quoins.
Veneers made from actual stone can mimic the appearance of quoins.
Quoins are structural, adding strength to the corners of buildings, as with these exposed stone slabs.
See more examples of quoins
See more examples of quoins