Glossary of Terms

ANCHOR BOLT

A bolt that secures a wooden sill plate to concrete or masonry floor or foundation wall.

APRON

Trim used at the base of windows. Also used as base to build out crown molding.

AREAWAY

An opening to below grade windows or doors to provide access, light and ventilation. Usually a small retaining wall around a window or door constructed of metal or concrete.

BACKFILL

Process of placing soil up against foundation after all necessary foundation treatments have been performed. In many instances, foundation wall must have temporary interior bracing or house framed in to support weight of dirt until it has had time to settle.

BACKHOE

A machine that digs narrow deep trenches for foundations, drainpipe, cable, etc.

BACKING

The bevel on the top edge of a hip rafter that allows the roofing board to fit the top rafter without leaving a triangular space between it and the lower side of the roof covering.

BACKSPLASH

A small strip (usually 3 or 4") placed against a wall and resting on the back of the countertop.

BASEBOARD

The finished exposed board around the wall at the floor.

BASE SHOE

Molding used next to the floor on interior baseboards. Sometimes called a carpet strip.

BATTEN

Small strip, usually used to cover the crack between two boards, as in board and batten siding.

BATT

A strip of insulation made of lengths, delivered in rolls to be put in place between framing members.

BAT

A part of a brick, less than one full piece.

BATTER BOARDS

A pair of horizontal boards nailed to vertical posts set at the corners of an excavation area used to indicate the desired level of excavation. Also used for fastening taut strings to indicate the outlines of the foundation walls.

BAY WINDOW

Any window that projects out from the walls of the structure.

BEAM

A long piece of lumber or metal used to support a load placed at right angles to the beam - usually floor joists. An inclusive term for joists, girders, rafters and purlins.

BEARING WALL

A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

BLACKBOARD SHEATHING

Insulation board used to cover the exterior walls.

BLIND

Window shutter.

BLIND NAILING

Nailing in such a way that the nail heads are not visible on the face of the work - usually the tongue of matched boards.

BRACE

Diagonally framed member used to temporarily hold a wall in place during framing. An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to stiffen the structure.

BRACKET

A projecting support for a shelf or other structure.

BRICK VENEER

A facing of brick laid against and fastened to the sheathing of a frame wall or tile wall construction.

BRIDGING

Small braces placed between framing members to stiffen them.

BTU

British Thermal Unit. A measure of heat used to describe the capacity of furnaces, water heaters, heating units.

BUILDER'S LEVEL

A surveying tool consisting of an optical siting scope and a measuring stick. It is used to check the level of batter boards and foundation.

BUILDING PAPER

Thick paper used to insulate a building before the siding or roofing is put on; sometimes placed between double floors.

BULKHEAD

Vertical drop in footing when changing from one depth to another.

BUTT JOINT

Junction of the ends of two framing members such as on a sill. Normally a square cut joint.

CAN LIGHT

Recessed lighting fixture.

CANTILEVER

A horizontal structure component that projects beyond its support; such as a second story floor that projects out from the wall of the first floor.

CARRIAGE

The supports for the steps and risers of a flight of stairs.

CASEMENT

A window sash that is hinged like a door.

CAULK

To fill or close a joint with a seal to make it watertight and airtight.

CHAIR RAIL

Molding applied to the walls, normally about hip level.

COMPRESSOR

Component of the central air conditioning system that sits outside the dwelling.

CONCRETE

An artificial building material made by mixing cement and sand with gravel, broken stone, or other aggregate and sufficient water to set the cement.

CONDENSATION

In a building, beads or drops of water that accumulate on the inside when warm, moisture laden air from the interior reaches a point where the temperature no longer permits the air to sustain the moisture it holds. Use of louvers or attic ventilators will reduce moisture condensation in attics. A vapor barrier under the gypsum lath or drywall on exposed walls will reduce condensation on them.

CONDUIT

A pipe, channel or passage for carrying gas, water, wires.

CORNER BOARD

A board used as trim for the external corner of a house or other frame structure, against which the ends of siding are butted.

CORNER BRACE

A diagonal brace placed at the corner of a frame wall to stiffen and strengthen the wall.

CORNICE

When used on the outside of the house, the trimwork that finishes off the intersection of the roof and siding. The cornice may be flush with the siding or may overhang the siding by as much as feet. It usually consists of fascia board, a soffit for a closed cornice and appropriate moldings.

COUNTERSINK

To set the head of a nail or screw at or below the surface.

COVE MOLDING

A molding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners.

CRAWL SPACE

A shallow space below the living quarters of a house with no basement normally enclosed by the foundation wall.

CRICKET

A sloped area at the intersection of a vertical surface and the roof, such as a chimney. Use to channel off water that might otherwise get trapped behind the vertical structure.

CRIPPLE

A short stud used as bracing under windows and other structural framing.

CROWN MOLDING

The trim piece that tops off the trim on a vertical structure. Usually refers to the more ornamental pieces of cornice trim.

DAMPER

A shutoff in a chimney to regulate the passage of heat and gases.

DEADWOOD

Wood used as backing for drywall.

DENTIL

One of many small pieces of rectangular blocks used for ornamental reasons, usually at the cornice.

DOOR JAMB

The surrounding case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a horizontal head jamb.

DORMER

A window cutting through a sloping roof and having a roof of its own.

DOWN SPOUT

A pipe, usually of metal, for carrying rainwater from roof gutters.

DRIED IN

Term describing the framed structure after the roof deck and protective tarpaper have been installed.

DRIP EDGE

Metal flashing normally 3" wide that goes on the eaves and rakes to provide a precise point for water to drip from so the cornice does not rot.

DRY WALL

Interior covering material that is applied in large sheets or panels. The term has become basically synonymous with gypsum wallboard.

DUCTS

In a house, usually round or rectangular metal pipes for distributing warm air from the heating plant to rooms or air from an air conditioning device.

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW

Windows which have two sashes that raise and lower independently.

EAVES

The portions of the roof that extend beyond the outside walls of the house. The main function of an overhanging eave is to provide visual separation of the roof and wall and to shelter the siding and windows from rain.

EXHAUST

Air saturated with carbon monoxide. The by-product of natural gas combustion in a forced-air gas system. This exhaust gas is vented directly out the top of the roof. It is dangerous to breathe this gas.

EXPANSION JOINT

A bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking caused by expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs.

FACE NAILING

Nailing applied perpendicular to the members. Also know as direct nailing.

FASCIA

A flat board, band or face, used by itself or, more often, in combination with moldings, that covers the end of the rafter or the board that connects the top of the siding to the bottom of the soffit. The board of the cornice to which the gutter is fastened.

FELT

Typical shingle underlayment. Also know as roofing felt or tarpaper.

FILL DIRT

Loose dirt used to fill a void. Used under slabs, drives, and sidewalks.

FILLER

Putty or other pasty material used to fill nail holes prior to painting or staining.

FINGER JOINT

Trim composed of many small scrap pieces by a joint resembling two sets of interlocking fingers. This trim is often used to reduce costs where such trim will be painted.

FINISH GRADE

Process of leveling and smoothing topsoil into final position prior to landscaping.

FIRE STOP

A solid, tight, closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2x4" cross blocking between studs.

FIXTURE

Any end point in a plumbing system used as a source of potable water (sinks, tubs, showers, washer connections, etc).

FLASHING

Galvanized sheet metal used as a lining around joints between shingles and chimneys, exhaust and ventilation vents and other protrusions in the roof deck. Flashing helps prevent water from seeping under the shingles.

FLAT PAINT

An interior paint that contains a high proportion of pigment and dries to a flat or lusterless finish.

FLOAT

To spread drywall compound smooth.

FLUE

The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas or fumes ascend.

FLUE LINING

Fire clay or terra cotta pipe, round or square, usually made in all ordinary flue sizes and in 2 foot lengths, used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick and masonry work around the outside.

FOOTING

The base of a foundation which rests on the ground and gives support to the rest of the foundation.

FOOTING DITCH

Through area dug to accommodate concrete or footing forms.

FOOTING FORM

A wooden or steel structure placed around the footing that will hold the concrete to the desired shape and size.

FORMWORK

A temporary mold for giving a desired shape to poured concrete.

FOUNDATION

The surrounding or enclosing woodwork of windows, doors, etc. and the timber skeleton of a building.

FROSTLINE

The depth to which frost penetrates the soil. Footings should always be poured below this line to prevent cracking.

GABLE

The vertical part of the exterior wall that extends from the eaves upward to the peak or ridge of the roof. The gable may be covered with same siding material as the exterior wall or may be trimmed with gable trim material.

GABLE END

An end wall having a gable.

GIRDER

A large or principal beam of wood or steel used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length.

GRADE

The ground level around a building. The natural grade is the original level. Finished grade is the level after the building is complete and final grading is done.

GROUT

Mortar made of such consistency that it will flow into the joints and cavities of masonry work and fill it solid.

GUTTER OR EAVE TROUGH

A shallow channel or conduit of metal or wood set below and along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater from the roof.

GYPSUM BOARD

Same as drywall.

GYPSUM

Hydrous calcium sulphate mineral rock, white when pure, which is used in drywall.

HANGER

Vertical-tension member supporting a load.

HEADER

Framing member of strong construction, usually consisting of two 2x12"'s on exterior walls; places across the top of window and door openings to support loads above.

HEAT LOSS and GAIN

Pertains to the amount and rate at which heat or cold is lost or gained through floors, walls, ceilings, windows and doors. Determines the amount of warm air needed to heat or cool rooms.

HEARTH

The fireproof part around the front of a fireplace.

HIP

The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.

HIP ROOF

A roof with a sloping roof plane on each of its four sides that rise up to either a point or a ridge, depending on whether the house is square or rectangular.

HOT WIRE

A wire carrying current.

HOUSED

A joint in which a piece is grooved to receive the piece that is to form the other part of the joint.

HVAC

Common abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

I-BEAM

A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. I-beams are used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings such as double garage door, when wall and roof loads are imposed on the opening.

INSULATION BOARD, RIGID

A structural building board made of foam or coarse wood or can fiber impregnated with asphalt or given other treatment to provide water resistance. It can be obtained in various size sheets, in various thicknesses and in various densities.

INSULATION, THERMAL

Any material high in resistance to heat transmission that when placed in the walls, ceilings or floors of a structure will reduce the rate of heat flow.

JACK RAFTER

A rafter that spans the distance from the wall plate to a hip or from a valley to a ridge.

JAMB

Exterior frame of a door. The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening.

JOINT

Mortar in between bricks or blocks. The space between the adjacent surfaces of two members or components that are held together by nails, glue, or mortar, or other means.

JOIST

One of the timbers that support the flooring or the ceiling and supported in turn, by larger beams, girders or bearing walls. Joists are always positioned on edge.

KNEE WALL

A short wall extending from the floor to the roof in the second story of a multi-story.

LAMINATED BEAM

A very strong beam created from several smaller pieces of wood that have been glued together under heat and pressure.

LATEX PAINT

A coating in which the vehicle is water emulsion of rubber or synthetic resin. Water-soluble paint. Normally recommended for interior work because of ease of use.

LATTICE

Crossed wood, iron plate or bars used for underpinning around foundation.

LINTEL

A structural member placed above doors and window openings to support the weight of the bricks above the opening, usually pre-cast concrete. Also called a header.

LITE

A pane of glass or a place for a pane of glass in a sash. Also the term used to describe the number or panes of glass in a sash, as in a four-lite window, a twelve-lite window.

LOAD BEARING WALL

Any wall that supports the weight of other structural members.

LOUVER

An opening with a series of horizontal slats so arranged as to permit ventilation, but to exclude rain, sunlight, or vision.

LUMBER YARD

Lumber of those grades, sizes, and patterns that is generally intended for ordinary construction, such as framework and rough coverage of homes.

MANTEL

The shelf over a fireplace, the wood finishing around a fireplace opening.

MASONRY

Stone, brick, concrete, hollow tile, concrete block, gypsum block or other similar building units or materials or a combination of the same, bonded together with mortar to from a wall, pier, buttress, or similar mass.

MILLWORK

That part of the finishing material prepared in a lumber mill such as windows, doors, stairway parts, etc.

MITER JOINT

A diagonal joint formed at the intersection of two pieces of molding. For example, the miter joint at the side and head casing at a door opening is made at a 45-degree angle.

MOLDING

Decorative strips of wood or other material applied to wall joints and surfaces as a decorative accent. Molding does not have any structural value.

MORTAR

A mixture of cement with sand and water to form a bonding agent.

MUNTIN

A small bar separating window lights.

MULLION

The division between multiple windows.

ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB)

A wood panel product in which fiber or wafer layers are oriented in opposite directions to provide greater strength.

PAINT GRADE

Millwork of quality intended for a painted finish. Not as fine as a stain grade.

PARTICLE BOARD

Panels composed of small wood particles usually arranged in layers without a particular orientation and bonded together with a phenolic resin.

PARTITION

An interior wall in a framed structure dividing two spaces.

PENNY

As applied in nails, it originally indicated the price per hundred. The term now serves as a measure of nail length and is abbreviated by the letter "d."

PIER

A column of masonry, used to support other structural members, such as concrete supports for a floor beam.

PILING

Large timbers or poles driven into the ground or the bed of a stream to make a firm foundation.

PILASTER

A sort of a column built into a wall to strengthen it. Also the vertical portion used to decorate the jamb of a door.

PITCH

The measure of the steepness of the slope of a roof, expressed as the ratio of the rise of the slope over a corresponding horizontal distance. Roof slope is expressed in" of rise per foot of run, such as 4 in 12.

PLAN

A horizontal geometrical section of a building, showing the walls, doors, windows, stairs, etc.

PLATE

A horizontal member used to anchor studs to the floor or ceiling.
Sill plate: a horizontal member anchored to a masonry wall.
Sole plate: bottom horizontal member of a frame wall.
Top plate: top horizontal member of a frame wall supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other members.

PLENUM

Chamber immediately outside of the HVAC unit where conditioned air feeds into all of the supplies. A space in which air is contained under slightly greater than atmospheric pressure. In a house, it is used to distribute heated or cooled air.

PLUMB

The condition when something is exactly vertical to the ground, such as the wall of a house.

PLYWOOD

A piece of wood made of three or more layers of veneer joined with glue and usually laid with grain of adjoining piles at right angles. Almost always, an odd number of plies are used to provide balanced construction.

POST

A timber set on end to support a wall, girder or other member of the structure.

PRIMER OR PRIME COAT

The first coat in a paint job that consists of two or more coats.

PUTTY

A type of cement usually made of whiting and boiled linseed oil, beaten or kneaded to the consistency of dough, and used in sealing glass in sash, filling small holes, etc.

QUARTER ROUND

A small strip of molding whose cross section is similar to a quarter of a circle. Used with or without base molding.

RAFTER

One of the timbers supporting the sheathing and shingles of a roof.

RAFTER, HIP

A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle.

RAFTER, VALLEY

A rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle. The valley rafter is normally made of double 2" thick members.

RAIL

Cross members of panel doors or of sashes.

RAKE

The angled edge of a roof located at the end of a roof that extends past the gable. Trim members that run parallel to the roof slope and form the finish between the wall and gable roof extension.

RE-BAR

Metal rods used to improve the strength of concrete structures.

REGISTER

Metal facing plate on the wall where supply air is released into a room and where air enters the return. Registers can be used to direct the flow of air.

RETURN

Ductwork leading back to the HVAC unit to be reconditioned.

RIDGE

Intersection of any two roofing planes where water drains away from the intersection. Special shingles are applied to ridges.

RIDGE VENT

Opening at the point where roof decking normally intersects along the highest point on a roof where air is allowed to flow from the attic. A small cap covers this opening to prevent rain from entering. When these are long, they are normally known as continuous ridge vents.

RING SHANK NAILS

A nail with ridges forming rings around the shank to provide better withdrawal resistance.

RIPPING

Cutting lumber parallel to the grain.

RISE

In stairs, the vertical height of a step or flight of stairs.

RISER

The vertical board between two treads of a flight of stairs.

ROLLED ROOFING

Roofing material composed of fiber and saturated with asphalt that is supplied in 36" wide rolls with 108 square feet of material. Weights are generally 45 to 90 pounds per roll.

ROOF SHEATHING

The boards or sheet material fastened to the rafters on which shingles or other roof covering is laid.

ROOFING

The material put on a roof to make it wind and waterproof.

ROUGH-IN

The stage of the house that follows framing, when the builder installs all systems that will be concealed behind the walls such as electrical, plumbing, and heating and air ducts.

RUN

In stairs, the net front-to-back width of a step or the horizontal distance covered by a flight of stairs. The length of the horizontal projection of a piece such as a rafter when in position.

SADDLE

A sloped area at the intersection of a vertical surface, such as a chimney and the roof. Used to channel off water that might otherwise get trapped behind the vertical structure.

SAGGING

Slow dripping of excessively heavy coats of paint.

SASH

The section of a window installation that holds the glass, usually placed so it can be opened or closed.

SCUTTLE

A small opening through a wall ceiling or floor to allow access to a space beyond.

SEALER

A finishing material, either clear or pigmented, that is usually applied directly over uncoated wood for the purpose of sealing the surface.

SEPTIC TANK

A receptacle that receives the discharge from a sewage system and is designed to separate liquids from solids and digest the organic matter through bacteria, discharging the liquid portion into the soil through the subsurface, disposal fields or seepage pits.

SERVICE PANEL

Junction where main electrical service to the home is split among the many circuits internal to the home.

SHAKES

Large rough shingles usually hand split with thick ends.

SHEATHING

Boards, plywood or artificial board fastened over framing members to strengthen the framing or to support the roofing or to which another material may be fastened.

SHEATHING PAPER

A building material, generally paper or felt, used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and water.

SHEETROCK

A commonly used brand name for a type of gypsum board or drywall wallboard.

SHIM

A thin wedge of wood for driving into crevices to bring parts into alignment.

SHINGLES

Roof covering of asphalt, fiberglass, wood, tile, or other material.

SHINGLES, SIDING

Various kinds of shingles, such as wood shingles or shakes or non-wood shingles that are used over sheathing for exterior wall covering of a structure.

SIDING

The finish covering of the outside wall of a frame building, whether made of horizontal weatherboards with battens, shingles or other material.

SILL

The lowest member of the frame of a structure, resting on the foundation and supporting the floor joists or the uprights of the wall.

SILL CAULK

Mastic placed between the top of foundation wall and sill studs to make an airtight seal.

SKIRT

An overhanging roof section.

SLAB

A concrete floor poured on the ground.

SLUMP

A measurement of the stiffness of concrete. The less water you add to concrete, the stronger it will be.

SOFFIT

The underside of the cornice or any part of the roof that overhangs the siding.

SPACKLE

Soft puttylike compound used for drywall patching and touch-up.

SPAN

The distance between supporting members of a joist or beam. The longest unsupported distance along a joist.

SPECIFICATIONS

The written or printed directions regarding the details of a building or other construction.

SPLICE

Joining of two similar members in a straight line.

SQUARE

A unit of measure usually applied to roofing material, denoting the sufficient quantity to cover 100 square feet of surface.

STAIN GRADE

Millwork of finest quality, intended for stain finish.

STARTER STRIP

A continuous strip of asphalt roofing used as the first course, applied to hang over the eave.

STICK BUILT

A house built "one stick at a time" on site versus in a factory.

STOOL

A flat molding fitted over the window sill between the jambs and contacting the bottom rail of the lower sash.

STRINGER

A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the stringer (or stair carriage) supports the stair treads.

STUCCO

A fine plaster used for interior decoration and fine work; also for rough outside wall coverings.

STUD, STUDDING

A light piece of timber, such as a 2x4' or 2x6'.

STUDWALL

A wall consisting of spaced vertical structural members with thin facing material applied to each side.

SUBFLOOR

Boards or plywood laid on joists over which a finish floor is to be laid.

SUPERSTRUCTURE

The structural part of the deck above the posts or supports.

T&G

A type of wood joint machined with a tongue on one side and a groove on the other allowing two pieces to be joined snuggly together. See "Tongue & Groove."

TAPE

Paper used to cover the joints between sheets of gypsum.

TERMITE SHIELD

A shield, normally of galvanized sheet metal, placed between the footing and foundation wall to prevent the passage of termites.

THRESHOLD

A strip of wood or metal with beveled edges used over the finish floor and the sill of an exterior door.

TOENAILING

Driving a nail at a slant to the initial surface to permit it to penetrate into a second member.

TON

An industry standard measure used to express a quantity of cold air that is produced by an air-conditioning system.

TONGUE AND GROOVE

Boards that join on edge with a groove on one unit and a corresponding tongue on the other to interlock. See "T&G."

TOP PLATE

Piece of lumber supporting ends of rafters.

TOPSOIL

Two or three inch layer of rich, loose soil. Not for load bearing areas.

TRAP

A device providing a liquid seal that prevents the backflow of air without materially affecting the flow of sewage or waster water. "S" shaped drain traps are required in most building codes.

TRAY CEILING

Raised area in a ceiling.

TRAY MOLDING

A special type of crown molding where a large portion of the molding is applied to the ceiling as opposed to the wall.

TRIM

The finishing details finally added to a house interior or exterior, such as window and door casings, baseboards, cornices, etc.

TRIMMER

A beam or joist to which a header is nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening.

TRUSS

A framework resting on a bearing at each end, used for supporting a roof or some other load.

TRUSS PLATE

A heavy-gauge pronged metal plate that is pressed into the sides of a wood truss at the point where two or more members are to be joined together.

TURPENTINE

A volatile oil used as a thinner in paints.

UNDERCOAT

A coating applied prior to the finishing or top coats of a paint job. Sometimes synonymous with priming coat.

UNDERLAYMENT

Any paper or felt composition used to separate the roofing deck from the shingles.

UNDERPINNING (SKIRTING)

A material used to enclose the home between the structure and ground.

VALLEY

The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof where water drains at the intersection.

VAPOR BARRIER

Any material used to stop the migration of water vapor through walls, floors or ceilings.

VENEER

Thin sheets of wood made by rotary cutting or slicing of a log. Veneer is glued in plies or on top of other wood to improve appearance or strength.

VENT

A pipe or duct or louvered opening that provides an inlet or outlet for the flow of air.

VESTIBULE

An entrance to a house; usually enclosed.

WAFERBOARD

A type of structural flakeboard made of compressed, waferlike wood particles or flakes bonded together with a phenolic resin.

WAINSCOTING

Paneling and trim applied from the floor to the height of about 3 feet. Used in dining areas to protect against marks from dining chairs.

WALLPLATE

The cover over an electrical outlet or switch on a wall.

WATER CLOSET

A toilet fixture, also called a stool.

WATER TABLE

The finish at the bottom of a house that carries water away from the foundation.

WATER-REPELLENT PRESERVATIVE

A liquid designed to penetrate wood and impart water repellency and a moderate preservative protection.

WEATHER STRIPPING

Strips of thin metal or other material that prevent the infiltration of air and moisture around windows and doors.

WEEP HOLE

Small gap in brick wall, normally on garage, that allows water to drain.