Understanding Through Stones in Wall Construction

The question asks for the specific term used for a stone that extends completely through the thickness of a wall, acting to tie or bind the two faces of the wall together. Let's examine the provided options to find the correct definition.

A stone that passes entirely through a wall from the front face to the back face serves a crucial structural purpose: it binds the two sides together, enhancing the wall's stability and strength. This type of stone is known by a specific name in construction terminology.

• Cornice: A cornice is a horizontal, decorative molding that crowns a building or furniture element. It typically projects from the top of a wall. This does not match the description of a binding stone passing through a wall.
• Corbel: A corbel is a piece of building material, usually stone, wood, or metal, that projects from a wall to support a weight. Corbeling involves stacking these projections to create an overhang. This is a supporting element, not a stone passing through the wall for binding.
• Through stone: A through stone, also known as a header or bond stone, is a stone that extends through the entire thickness of a wall. Its primary function is to provide transverse bonding, connecting the two faces of the wall and preventing them from separating. This definition perfectly matches the description in the question.
• Buttress: A buttress is a projecting support built against a wall to reinforce it, especially against lateral forces such as those from a vaulted ceiling. A buttress is an external support, not a stone within the wall thickness binding its faces.

Based on the definitions, the stone described, which passes through the wall and acts as a binder for the two faces, is specifically called a through stone.