A beun is a raised floor or platform in a ship, barn or storage space. In shipbuilding, the beun refers to the space beneath the cargo floor of an inland vessel. In agriculture, the term denotes a raised section in a barn or stable where crops were stored.
Meaning in shipbuilding
In inland waterway shipping, the beun is the space between the inner hull and the cargo floor:
- Water collection — bilge water collects in the beun
- Inspection — the hull can be inspected via the beun space
- Ballast — the beun may be used for ballast water
Meaning in agricultural construction
In farmhouses and barns, the beun is a raised storage area:
- Grain storage — a timber platform above the stable floor for keeping grain dry
- Hay and straw storage — a raised floor to keep materials off the ground
- Ventilation — the space beneath the platform allows air to circulate
Modern use
The term beun is still used in:
- Restoration — when restoring historic farmhouses and barges
- Shipbuilding — in technical descriptions of inland vessels
- Regional dialects — as a general term for a raised platform
Related terms
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.