Metal crosses on old houses?

Question

i know they go through the house and are to stop the walls warping etc, but any idea what theyre called??!

Answer 1

Brace's, and the crosses are called Anchors.

Brace and Anchor

Answer 2

Anti-warp wall tensioners

Answer 3

I think they are simply known as bracers or bracings.

Answer 4

wind bracing. originally a two by four was "let into" the studs at a diagonal for this. there was no plywood or OSB boards laid lengthwise would not effectively keep the wall sections from going out of square. underlayment for floors used to be laid on a diagonal for the same purpose. now with sheet material available it can effectively take the place of wind bracing.