Storey bands have a purely decorative function marking the horizontal division between the ground and first floor of the house – or even, in some cases, the second storey. The raised storey bands may be of cut brick or moulded terracotta and can be very decorative. Storey bands should never be painted as decay can be caused, due to damp or dirt being trapped between the paint and decorated brickwork or terra cotta.

You may be lucky enough to have an original date/name stone inset in the walling.

Good examples of storey bands and
date/name stones – Church Street

Terracotta bay window trim