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Building Construction Glossary
Above Grade - The portion of a building that is above ground level.
Acre - 43,500 square feet.
A/C Circuit - (Alternating Current) The flow of current through a conductor first in one direction then in reverse. It is used exclusively in residential and commercial wiring because it provides greater flexibility in voltage selection and simplicity of equipment design.
Accelerator - Any material added to stucco, plaster or mortar which speeds up the natural set.
Adhesion - The property of a coating or sealant to bond to the surface to which it is applied.
Adhesive Failure - Loss of bond of a coating or sealant from the surface to which it is applied.
Aggregate - Crushed stone, slag or water-worn gravel that comes in a wide range of sizes that is used to surface built-up roofs.
Air-Dried Lumber - Lumber that has been piled in yards or sheds for any length of time. For the United States as a whole, the minimum moisture content of thoroughly air dried lumber is 12 to 15 percent and the average is somewhat higher. In the South, air dried lumber may be no lower than 19 percent.
Air Duct - Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry cooled air to all rooms.
Air Filters - Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers that are coated with adhesive liquid to which the particles of lint and dust adhere. These filters will remove as much as 90% of the dirt if they do not become clogged. The more common filters are of the throwaway or disposable type.
Air Infiltration - The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.
Airway - A space between roof insulation and roof boards for movement of air.
Alligatoring - A condition of paint or aged asphalt brought about by the loss of volatile oils and the oxidation caused by solar radiation. Coarse checking pattern characterized by a slipping of the new paint coating over the old coating to the extent that the old coating can be seen through the fissures."Alligatoring" produces a pattern of cracks resembling an alligator hide and is ultimately the result of the limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion or contraction.
Aluminum Wire - Conductors made of aluminum for carrying electricity. Aluminum generally is limited to the larger wire sizes. Due to its lower conductivity, aluminum wire smaller than No. 12 is not made. Aluminum is lighter and less expensive than copper but not as good a conductor. It also breaks easily.
AMPS (Amperes) - The rate at which electricity flows through a conductor.
Ammeter - Device to measure the current flowing in a circuit
Anchor Bolts - In residential construction, Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall. In commercial construction, Bolts which fasten columns, girders or other members to concrete or masonry such as bolts used to anchor sills to masonry foundation.
Angle Iron- A piece of iron that forms a right angle and is used to span openings and support masonry at the openings. In brick veneer, they are used to secure the veneer to the foundation. Also known as shelf angle.
Annealing - In the manufacturing of float glass, it is the process of controlled cooling done in a lehr to prevent residual stresses in the glass. Re-annealing is the process of removing objectionable stresses in glass by re-heating to a suitable temperature followed by controlled cooling.
Anti-Walk Blocks - Elastomeric blocks that limit lateral glass movement in the glazing channel which may result from thermal, seismic, wind load effects, building movement, and other forces that may apply.
Approach - The area between the sidewalk and the street that leads to a driveway or the transition from the street as you approach a driveway.
Apron - The flat member of the inside trim of a window placed against the wall immediately beneath the stool.
Architect - A tradesman who designs and produces plans for buildings, often overseeing the building process.
Architects Rule - Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a "scale."
Areaway - An open subsurface space adjacent to a building used to admit light or air or as a means of access to a basement.
Asphalt - A dark brown to black, highly viscous, hydrocarbon produced from the residue left after the distillation of petroleum. Asphalt is used on roofs and highways as a waterproofing agent. Most native asphalt is a residue from evaporated petroleum. It is insoluble in water but soluble in gave. line when heated. Used widely in building for waterproofing roof coverings of many types, exterior wall coverings, flooring tile, and the like.
Astragal - A molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging doors, against which the other door strikes.
Attic Ventilators - In houses, screened opening) provided to ventilate an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet ventilators and in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators. They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an exhaust system. (See also Louver.)
Auger - In carpentry, a wood-boring tool used by a carpenter to bore holes
Backer Rod - In glazing, a polyethylene or polyurethane foam material installed under compression and used to control sealant joint depth, provide a surface for sealant tooling, serve as a bond breaker to prevent three-sided adhesion, and provide an hour-glass contour of the finished bead.
Backfill - (1) filling in any previously excavated area, i.e., The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation.. (2) in carpentry, the process of fastening together two pieces of board by gluing blocks of wood in the interior angle.
Backflow- The flow of liquids through irrigation into the pipes of a potable or drinking water supply from any source which is opposite to the intended direction of flow.
Backflow Preventer - A device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
Backhand - A simple molding sometimes used around the outer edge of plain rectangular casing as a decorative feature.
Backhoe - Self-powered excavation equipment that digs by pulling a boom mounted bucket towards itself. It is used to dig basements and/or footings and to install drainage or sewer systems.
Back Nailing - The practice of nailing roofing felts to the deck under the overlap, in addition to hot mopping, to prevent slippage of felts.
Balloon Framing - In carpentry, the lightest and most economical form of construction, in which the studding and corner plates are set up in continuous lengths from the first floor line or sill to the roof plate to which all floor joists are fastened.
Balusters - Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail.
Balustrade - A railing made up of balusters, top rail, and sometimes bottom rail, used on the edge of stairs, teal conies, and porches.
Barge Board - A decorative board covering the projecting rafter (fly rafter) of the gable end. At the cornice, this member is a facie board.
Base (or Baseboard) - A board placed against the wall around a room next to the floor to finish properly between floor and plaster.
Barometer - Instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Barrel Roof - A roof design, which in cross section is arched.
Base Flashing - The upturned edge of the watertight membrane formed at a roof termination point by the extension of the felts vertically over the cant strip and up the wall for a varying distance where they are secured with mechanical fasteners.
Base Molding - Molding used to trim the upper edge of interior baseboard.
Base Ply - An asphalt-saturated and/or coated felt installed as the first ply with 4 inch laps in a built-up roof system under the following felts which can be installed in a shingle-like fashion.
Base Shoe - Molding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip.
Batten - Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards.
Batten Plate - A formed piece of metal designed to cover the joint between two lengths of metal edge.
Batter Board - One of a pair of horizontal boards nailed to posts set at the corners of an excavation, used to indicate the desired level, also as a fastening for stretched strings to indicate outlines of foundation walls.
Batt Insulation- Strips of insulation, usually fiberglass that fit between studs or other framing.
Bay Window - Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan.
Bead - In glazing, an applied sealant in a joint irrespective of the method of application, such as caulking bead, glazing bead, etc. Also a molding or stop used to hold glass or panels in position.
Beam - Structural support member (steel, concrete, lumber) transversely supporting a load that transfers weight from one location to another.
Bearing Partition - A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bearing Wall - A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bed or Bedding - In glazing, the bead compound or sealant applied between a light of glass or panel and the stationary stop or sight bar of the sash or frame. It is usually the first bead of compound or sealant to be applied when setting glass or panels.
Bed Molding - A molding in an angle, as between the over hanging cornice, or eaves, of a building and the side walls.
Bell Reducer - In plumbing, a fitting shaped like a bell which has one opening of a smaller diameter used to reduce the size of the pipe in the line, and the opposite opening of larger diameter.
Below Grade - The portion of a building that is below ground level.
Bent Glass - Flat glass that has been shaped while hot into curved shapes.
Bevel - The angle of the front edge of a door usually from 1/8" to 2".
Bevel Siding (or Lap Siding) - Wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern. This siding varies in butt thickness from ½ to ¾ inch and in widths up to 12 inches. Normally used over some type of sheathing.
Bid Bond - Security posted by a bidder to ensure performance in accordance with a bid.
Bidding - Getting prices from various contractors and/or subcontractors.
Bid Documents - Drawings, details, and specifications for a particular project.
Bite - The dimension by which the framing system overlaps the edge of the glazing infill.
Bitumen - Any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons occurring naturally or obtained through the distillation of coal or petroleum. (See Coat Tar Pitch and Asphalt)
Bleeding - A migration of a liquid to the surface of a component or into/onto an adjacent material.
Blind Nailing - Nailing in such a way that the nail heads are not visible on the face of the work—usually at the tongue of matched boards.
Blind Stop - A rectangular molding, usually ¾ by 1-3/8 inches or more in width, used in the assembly of a window frame. Serves as a stop for storm and screen or combination windows and to resist air infiltration.
Blister - An enclosed raised spot evident on the surface of a building. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.
Blocking - In carpentry, the process of fastening together two pieces of board by gluing blocks of wood in the interior angle.
Blue Prints- Architectural plans for a building or construction project, which are likely to include floor plans, footing and foundation plans, elevations, plot plans, and various schedules and or details.
Blue Stain - A bluish or grayish discoloration of the sapwood caused the growth of certain mold like fungi on the surface and in the interior of a piece, made possible by the same conditions that favor the growth of other fungi.
Board Foot - In carpentry, the equivalent of a board 1 foot square and 1 inch thick.
Boards - Yard lumber less than 2 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide.
Bodied Linseed Oil - Linseed oil that has been thickened in viscosity by suitable processing with heat or chemicals. Bodied oils are obtainable in a great range in viscosity from a little greater than that of raw oil to just short of a jellied condition.
Boiled Linseed Oil - Linseed oil in which enough lead, manganese or cobalt salts have been incorporated to make the oil harden more rapidly when spread in thin coatings.
Bolster - A short horizontal timber or steel beam on top of a column to support and decrease the span of beams or girders.
Bond Breaker - A substance or a tape applied between two adjoining materials to prevent adhesion between them.
Bond Plaster - In addition to gypsum, bond plaster contains 2-5% lime by weight and chemical additives which improve the bond with dense non-porous surfaces such as concrete. It is used as a base coat.
Boston Ridge - A method of applying asphalt or wood shingles at the ridge or at the hips of a roof as a finish.
Bow - A curve, bend, warping or other deviation from flatness in glass or wood.
Brace - An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to stifled the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed.
Bracing - Ties and rods used for supporting and strengthening various parts of a building used for lateral stability for columns and beams.
Brake Metal - Sheet metal that has been bent to the desired configuration.
Brick Veneer - A facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a frame wall or tile wall construction.
Bridging - Small wood or metal members that are inserted in a diagonal position between the floor joists at midspan to act both as tension and compression members for the purpose of bracing the joists a spreading the action of loads.
Browncoat - The coat of plaster directly beneath the finish coat. In three-coat work, the brown is the second coat.
BTU - British Thermal Unit - The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water through a change of one degree F.
Bubbling - In glazing, open or closed pockets in a sealant caused by release, production or expansion of gasses.
Buck - Often used in reference to rough frame opening members. Door bucks used in reference to metal door frame.
Building Brick - Brick for building purposes not especially treated for texture or color, formerly called "common brick." It is stronger than face brick.
Building Paper - A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses.
Building Permit - Written authorization from the city, county or other governing regulatory body giving permission to construct or renovate a building. A building permit is specific to the building project described in the application.
Built-Up Roof - A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs.
Bullfloat - A tool used to finish and flatten a slab. After screeding, the first stage in the final finish of concrete, smoothes and levels hills and voids left after screeding. Sometimes substituted for darbying. A large flat or tool usually of wood, aluminum or magnesium with a handle.
Butt Joint - The junction where the ends of two timbers or other members meet in a square-cut joint.
Butterfly Roof - A roof assembly, which pitches sharply from either side toward the center.
Buttering - In glazing, application of sealant or compound to the flat surface of some member before placing the member in position, such as the buttering of a removable stop before fastening the stop in place.
Butt Glazing - The installation of glass products where the vertical glass edges are without structural supporting mullions.
Butyl - Type of non-curing and non-skinning sealant made from butylene. Usually used for internal applications.
BX - Armored Cable - A factory assembly of insulated conductors inside a flexible metallic covering. It can be run except where exposed to excessive moisture and should not be run below grade. It must always be grounded and uses its armor as an equipment ground. It is difficult to pull out old wires or insert new ones.
Calcium Chloride - A chemical used to speed up curing of concrete during damp conditions.
Canopy - An overhanging roof.
Cantilever - A projecting beam or other structure supported only at one end.
Cant Strip - A beveled support used at the junction of a flat surface and a vertical surface to prevent bends and/or cracking of the roofing membrane at the intersection of the roof deck and wall. Used with a base flashing to minimize breaking of the roofing felts.
Cap - The upper member of a column, pilaster, door cornice, molding, and the like.
Cap Sheets - In roofing, one to four plies of felt bonded and top coated with bitumen that is laid over an existing roof as a treatment for defective roofs.
Cape Chisel - Tool used to clean out mortar joints on brick.
Carbide Bit - Tool used to drill holes in brick or block.
Casement Frames and Sash - Frames of wood or metal enclosing part or all of the sash, which may be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.
Casing - Molding of various widths and thicknesses used to trim door and window openings at the jambs.
Caulk - (v) The application of sealant to a joint, crack or crevice. (n) A compound used for sealing that has minimum joint movement capability; sometimes called low performance sealant.
C/D Circuit - A circuit where electricity flows in one direction only, at a constant rate.
Cellulose Insulation - Ground up newspaper that is treated with a fire retardant.
Cement Mixtures - Rich - 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 3 parts coarse aggregate. Used for concrete roads and waterproof structures. Standard - 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 4 parts coarse aggregate. Used for reinforced work floors, roofs, columns, arches, tanks, sewers, conduits, etc. Medium - 1 part cement, 2 1/2 parts sand, 5 parts coarse aggregate. Used for foundations, walls, abutments, piers, etc. Lean - 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, 6 parts coarse aggregate. Used for all mass concrete work, large foundations, backing for stone masonry, etc. Mixtures are always listed Cement to Sand to Aggregate
Cement Types - Type I Normal - is a general purpose cement suitable for practically all uses in residential construction but should not be used where it will be in contact with high sulfate soils or be subject to excessive temperatures during curing. Type II Moderate is used where precaution against moderate sulfate attack is important, as in drainage structures where sulfate concentrations in groundwater's are higher than normal. Type III High Early Strength is used when high strengths are desired at very early periods, usually a week or less. It is used when it is desirable to remove forms as soon as possible or to put the concrete into service quickly. Type IV Low Heat is a special cement for use where the amount and rate of heat generated during curing must be kept to a minimum. The development of strength is slow and is intended in large masses of concrete such as dams. Type V Sulfate Resisting is a special cement intended for use only in construction exposed to severe sulfate action, such as western states having soils of high alkali content.
Certificate of Occupancy - A document stating that a building is approved for occupancy. The building authority issues the Certificate of Occupancy.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) - The measure of volume of air. When testing systems, find the CFM by multiplying the face velocity times the free area in square feet. The face velocity is the amount of air passing through the face of an outlet or return. Free area is the total area of the openings in the outlet or inlet through which air can pass.
Chair Rail - A molding that runs horizontally along the wall at about 3 feet from the ground. In storefront, window wall, or curtain wall systems, a chair rail is an aluminum extrusion applied horizontally to the inside of the system 3 feet from the floor to create a barrier in floor-to-ceiling glazing applications.
Channel Glazing - The installation of glass products into U-shaped glazing channels. The channels may have fixed stops; however, at least one glazing stop on one edge must be removable.
Checking - Fissures that appear with age in many exterior paint coatings, at first superficial, but which in time may penetrate entirely through the coating. It produces a pattern of surface cracks running in irregular lines. When found in the top pour of an asphalt built-up roof, checking is the preliminary stage of alligatoring.
Checkrails - Meeting rails sufficiently thicker than a window to fill the opening between the top and bottom sash made by the parting stop in the frame of double-hung windows. They are usually beveled.
Chemical Injection Grouting – Leak repair technique usually used below grade in cracks and joints in concrete walls and floors that involves injection of sealant (usually urethane) that reacts with water to form a seal.
Circuit Breaker - Simple switch-like device which automatically opens a circuit when the rated current is exceeded as in the case of a short circuit.
Cleat - A wedge-shaped piece (usually of metal) which serves as a support or check. A strip fastened across something to give strength or hold something in position.
Coal Tar Pitch - A bituminous material, which is a by-product from the coking of coal. It is used as the waterproofing material for tar and gravel built-up roofing.
Coating - A layer of any liquid product spread over a surface for protection.
Cohesive Failure - Internal splitting of a compound resulting from over-stressing of the compound.
Cold Applied - Products that can be applied without heating. These are in contrast to products which need to be heated to be applied.
Cold Patch - In roofing, a roof repair done with cold-applied material.
Collar - In roofing, a conical metal cap flashing used in conjunction with vent pipes or stacks usually located several inches above the plane of the roof, for the purpose of shedding water away from the base of the vent.
Collar Beam - In carpentry, a tie that keeps the roof from spreading. They serve to stiffen the roof structure. Connects similar rafters on opposite sides of roof.
Column - In architecture: A perpendicular supporting member, circular or rectangular in section, usually consisting of a base, shaft, and capital. In engineering: A vertical structural compression member which supports loads acting in the direction of its longitudinal axis.
Combination Doors or Windows - Combination doors or windows used over regular openings. They provide winter insulation and summer protection and often have self storing or removable glass and screen inserts. This eliminates the need for handling a different unit each season.
Compatible - Two or more substances, which can be mixed or blended without separating, reacting, or affecting either material adversely.
Component - Any one part of an assembly associated with construction.
Composite Board - An insulation board, which has two different insulation types laminated together in 2 or 3 layers.
Compound - A chemical formulation of ingredients used to produce a caulking, elastomeric joint sealant, etc.
Compression Gasket - A gasket designed to function under compression.
Compression Set - The permanent deformation of a material after removal of the compressive stress.
Concrete Plain - Concrete either without reinforcement, or reinforced only for shrinkage or temperature changes.
Condensation - The appearance of moisture (water vapor) on the surface of an object caused by warm moist air coming into contact with a colder object. In a building: Beads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior covering of a building 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 dry wall on exposed walls will reduce condensation in them.
Conductor - (1) In roofing, a pipe for conveying rainwater from the roof gutter to a drain, or from a roof drain to the storm drain; also called a leader, downspout, or downpipe. (2) In electrical contracting, a wire through which a current of electricity flows, better known as an electric wire.
Conduction - The flow of heat from one part of a substance to another part. A piece of iron with one end placed in a fire will soon become warm from end to end, from the transfer of heat by the actual collision of the air molecules.
Conduit - A pipe, usually metal, for protecting and routing electrical wiring.
Construction, frame - A type of construction in which the structural parts are wood or depend upon a wood frame for support. In codes, if masonry veneer is applied to the exterior walls, the classification of this type of construction is usually unchanged.
Construction Loan - A loan provided by a lending institution specifically to construct or renovate a building.
Control Joint - A control joint controls or accommodates movement in the surface component of a roof.
Convection - A method of transferring heat by the actual movement of heated molecules, usually by a freestanding unit such as a furnace.
Cooling Tower - A large device mounted on roofs, consisting of many baffles over which water is pumped in order to reduce its temperature.
Coped Joint See Scribing.
Coping - A construction unit placed at the top of the parapet wall to serve as a cover for the wall.
Copper Pipe Types - Type K has the heaviest or thickest wall and is generally used underground. It has a green stripe. Type L has a medium wall thickness and is most commonly used for water service and for general interior water piping. It has a blue stripe. Type M has a thin wall and many codes permit its use in general water piping installation. It has a red stripe.
Corbel Out - To build out one or more courses of brick or stone from the face of a wall, to form a support for timbers.
Core - A small section cut from any material to show internal composition.
Corner Bead - A strip of formed sheet metal, sometimes combined with a strip of metal lath, placed on corners before plastering to reinforce them. Also, a strip of wood finish three-quarters-round or angular placed over a plastered corner for protection.
Corner Boards - Used as trim for the external corners of a house or other frame structure against which the ends of the siding are finished.
Corner Braces - Diagonal braces at the corners of frame structure to stiffen and strengthen the wall.
Cornerite - Metal-mesh lath cut into strips and bent to a right angle. Used in interior corners of walls and ceilings on lath to prevent cracks in plastering.
Cornice - A horizontal projecting course on the exterior of a building, usually at the base of the parapet. In residential construction, the 0verhang of a pitched roof at the cave line, usually consisting of a facie board, a soffit for a closed cornice, and appropriate moldings.
Cornice Return - That portion of the cornice that returns on the gable end of a house.
Corrosion - The deterioration of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction resulting from exposure to weathering, moisture, chemicals or other agents or media.
Corrugated - Folded or shaped into parallel ridges or furrows so as to form a symmetrically wavy surface.
Cost Breakdown - A breakdowns of all the anticipated costs on a construction or renovation project.
Counter Flashing - The formed metal secured to a wall, curb, or roof top unit to cover and protect the upper edge of a base flashing and its associated fasteners. This type of flashing is usually used in residential construction on chimneys at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and to prevent moisture entry.
Coupling - In plumbing, a short collar with only inside threads at each end, for receiving the ends of two pipes which are to be fitted and joined together. A right/left coupling is one used to join 2 gas pipes in limited space.
Course - A single layer of brick or stone or other building material.
Cove Molding - A molding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners.
Covenants - Rules usually developed by a builder or developer regarding the physical appearance of buildings in a particular geographic area. Typical covenants address building height, appropriate fencing and landscaping, and the type of exterior material (stucco, brick, stone, siding, etc) that may be used.
Crawl Space - A shallow open area between the floor of a building and the ground, normally enclosed by the foundation wall.
Crazing - A series of hairline cracks in the surface of weathered materials, having a web-like appearance. Also, hairline cracks in pre-finished metals caused by bending or forming. (see brake metal)
Cricket - A small drainage-diverting roof structure of single or double slope placed at the junction of larger surfaces that meet at an angle, such as above a chimney.
Cross-Bridging - Diagonal bracing between adjacent floor joists, placed near the center of the joist span to prevent joists from twisting.
Crown Molding - A molding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered.
Cupola - A small monitor or dome at the peak of a pitched roof.
Curb - A short wall or masonry built above the level of the roof that provides a means of flashing the deck equipment.
Curing - In concrete application, the process in which mortar and concrete harden. The length of time is dependent upon the type of cement, mix proportion, required strength, size and shape of the concrete section, weather and future exposure conditions. The period may be 3 weeks or longer for lean concrete mixtures used in structures such as dams or it may be only a few days for richer mixes. Favorable curing temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees F. Design strength is achieved in 28 days.
Curing Agent - One part of a multi-part sealant which, when added to the base, will cause the base to change its physical state by chemical reaction between the two parts.
Curtain Wall - A thin wall, supported by the structural steel or concrete frame of the building independent of the wall below. Also a metal (most often aluminum) framing system on the face of a building containing vision glass panels and spandrel panels made of glass, aluminum, or other material.
Cutback - In roofing, basic asphalt or tar which has been "cut back" with solvents and oils so that the material become fluid.
Cut-in Brace - Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4’s, cut in between each stud diagonally.
Cut Off - A piece of roofing membrane consisting of one or more narrow plies of felt usually moped in hot to seal the edge of insulation at the end of a day's work.
d. See Penny.
Dado - A rectangular groove across the width of a board or plank. In interior decoration, a special type of wall treatment.
Damper - Valve for controlling airflow. When ordering registers, make sure each supply outlet has a damper so the air flow can be adjusted and turned off. Dampers maybe either manually or automatically operated. Automatic dampers are required for exhaust air ducts.
Dampproofing - A process used on concrete, masonry or stone surfaces to repel water, the main purpose of which is to prevent the coated surface from absorbing rain water while still permitting moisture vapor to escape from the structure. (Moisture vapor readily penetrates coatings of this type.) "Dampproofing" generally applies to surfaces above grade; "waterproofing" generally applies to surfaces below grade.
Darby - A flat tool used to smooth concrete flatwork immediately after screeding. See Bullfloating
Dead Load - The constant, design-weight (of the roof) and any permanent fixtures attached above or below.
Decay - Disintegration of wood or other substance through the action of fungi,
Deck - An elevated platform. "Deck" is also commonly used to refer to the above-ground floors in multi-level parking garage.
Deck Paint - An enamel with a high degree of resistance to mechanical wear, designed for use on such surfaces as porch floors.
Deflect - To bend or deform under weight.
Deflection - The amount of bending movement of any part of a structural member perpendicular to the axis of the member under an applied load.
Density - The mass of substance in a unit volume. When expressed in the metric system, it is numerically equal to the specific gravity of the same substance.
Design Pressure - Specified pressure a product is designed to withstand.
Dew Point - Temperature at which vapor condenses from the atmosphere and forms water.
Dimension Lumber - Yard lumber from 2 inches to, but not including, 5 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide. Includes joists, rafters, studs, plank, and small timbers.
Direct Nailing - To nail perpendicular to the initial surface or to the junction of the pieces joined. Also termed face nailing.
Distortion - Alteration of viewed images caused by variations in glass flatness or inhomogeneous portions within the glass. An inherent characteristic of heat-treated glass.
Dolly Varden Siding - Beveled wood siding which is rabbeted on the bottom edge.
Doorjamb (interior) - 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 - An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.
Double-Glazing - In general, any use of two lights of glass, separated by an air space, within an opening, to improve insulation against heat transfer and/or sound transmission. In insulating glass units the air between the glass sheets is thoroughly dried and the space is sealed, eliminating possible condensation and providing superior insulating properties.
Double Plate - when two layers of 2 x 4's are placed on top of studs in framing a wall.
Double Strength - In float glass, approximately 1/8" (3 mm.) thick.
Double Tree - Refers usually to a precast roof deck panel poured with two fins in its underside to impart flexural rigidity.
Downspout - The metal pipe used to drain water from a roof.
Drawing Outline - A top view drawing of a building or roof showing only the perimeter drawn to scale.
Drawing Detail - A top view drawing of a building or roof showing the roof perimeter and indicating the projections and roof mounted equipment, drawn to scale.
Dressed and Matched (Tongued & Grooved) - Boards or planks machined in such a matter that there is a groove on one edge and a corresponding tongue on the other.
Dressed Size Lumber - The dimension of lumber after shrinking from green dimension and after machining to size or pattern.
Drier Paint - Usually oil-soluble soaps of such metals as lead manganese, or cobalt, which, in small proportions, hasten the oxidation and hardening (drying) of the drying oils in paints.
Drip - (a) A member of a cornice or other horizontal exterior finish course that has a projection beyond the other parts for throwing off water. (b) A groove in the under. side of a sill or drip cap to cause water to drop off on the outer edge instead of drawing back and running down the face of the building.
Drip Cap - A molding placed on the exterior top side of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.
Drip Edge - A device designed to prevent water from running back or under an overhang.
Drippage - Bitumen material that drips through roof deck joints, or over the edge of a roof deck.
"Dropping" a Stringer – In carpentry, means cutting short on the bottom of a stairs, to allow for thickness of the first tread.
Drop Siding - Usually ¾ inch thick and 6 and 8 inches wide with tongued-and-grooved or shiplap edges. Often used as siding without sheathing in secondary buildings.
Dry Glazing - Also called compression glazing, a term used to describe various means of sealing monolithic and insulating glass in the supporting framing system with synthetic rubber and other elastomeric gasket materials.
Dry-In - To make a building waterproof.
Dry Seal - Accomplishment of weather seal between glass and sash by use of strips or gaskets of Neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other flexible material. A dry seal may not be completely watertight.
Dry Sheet - A ply mechanically attached to wood or gypsum decks to prevent asphalt or pitch from penetrating the deck and leaking into the building below.
Drywall - Sheetrock (gypsum board) that covers the framing and taping, coating, and finishing to make the interior walls and ceilings of a building. Drywall is also used as a verb to refer to installation process.
Dry-Wall Construction - A type of construction in which the interior wall finish is applied in a dry condition, generally in the form of sheet materials or wood paneling as contrasted to plaster.
Drywall Hammer - A special hammer used for nailing up gypsum board. It is also known as an ax or hatchet. Edges should be smooth and the corners rounded off. The head has a convex round & checkered head.
Drywall Nail - Nails used for hanging regular drywall that is to be taped and finished later must have adequate holding power and a head design that does not cut the face paper. They must also be of the proper depth to provide exactly 1 inch penetration into the framing member. Nails commonly used are chemically-etched and are designed with a cupped head.
Duct - A cylindrical or rectangular "tube" used to move air either from exhaust or intake, and for distributing warm air from the heating plant to rooms, or air from a conditioning device or as cold air returns. The installation is referred to as "duct work".
Dumbwaiter - An elevator with a maximum footage of not more than 9 sq. ft. floor area; not more than 4" headroom and a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. used for carrying materials only.
Durometer - The measurement of hardness of a material. A gauge to measure the hardness of an elastomeric material.
Eave - The part of a roof which projects out from the side wall, or the lower edge of the part of a roof that overhangs a wall.
Edge Clearance - Nominal spacing between the edge of the glass product and the bottom of the glazing pocket (channel).
Edge Grain (vertical) - Edge-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately at right angles to the growth rings; i.e., the rings form an angle of 45° or more with the surface of the piece.
Edge Metal - A term relating to brake or extruded metal around the perimeter of a roof.
EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio; is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts.
Efflorescence - The process by which water leeches soluble salts out of concrete or mortar and deposits them on the surface. Also used as the name for these deposits.
EIFS - Exterior Insulating and Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco.
Elastomer - An elastic rubber-like substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.
Elastomeric - Of or pertaining to any of the numerous flexible membranes that contain rubber or plastic.
Electrolytic Coupling - A fitting required to join copper to galvanized pipe and gasketed to prevent galvanic action. Connecting pipes of different materials may result in electrolysis.
Elevation - A side of a building.
Emissivity - the measure of a surface’s ability to emit long-wave infrared radiation.
EMT - Electrical Metallic Tubing- This electrical pipe, also called thin-wall conduit, may be used for both concealed and exposed areas. It is the most common type of raceway used in single family and low rise residential and commercial buildings.
Emulsion - In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.
End Dams - Internal flashing (dam) that prevents water from moving laterally within a curtain wall or window wall system.
End Lap - The amount or location of overlap at the end of a roll of roofing felts in the application.
EPDM - Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. A single ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber; usually 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered or mechanically attached.
Excavate - Dig the basement and or all areas that will need footings/foundations below ground.
Expansion Coefficient - The amount that a specific material will vary in any one dimension with a change of temperature.
Expansion Joint - A device used to permit a structure to expand or contract without breakage. In residential construction, a bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs.
Exterior Glazed - Glazing infills set from the exterior of the building.
Exterior Stop - The molding or bead that holds the light or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the lite or panel.
Extrusion - An item formed by forcing a base metal (frequently aluminum) or plastic, at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape.
Eyebrow - A flat, normally concrete, projection which protrudes horizontally from a building wall; Eyebrows are generally located above windows.
Facade - The front of a building. Frequently, in architectural terms an artificial or decorative effort.
Face Brick- Brick made especially for exterior use with special consideration of color, texture and size, and used as a facing on a building.
Face Glazing - A system having a triangular bead of compound applied with a putty knife, after bedding, setting, and clipping the glazing infill in place on a rabetted sash.
Factory Mutual (FM) - Insurance agency that has established stringent guidelines for maximum construction integrity as it relates to fire and environmental hazards. Their specifications have become industry standards.
Fascia - In residential construction, a flat board, band, or face, used sometimes by itself but usually in combination with moldings, often located at the outer face of the cornice. Any cover board or framed metal assembly at the edge or eaves of a flat, sloping, or overhanging roof, which is placed in a vertical position to protect the edge of the roof assembly.
Fasteners - A general term covering a wide variety of screws and nails, which may be used for mechanically securing various components of a building.
Felt - A very general term used to describe composition of roofing ply sheets, consisting of a mat of organic or inorganic fibers unsaturated, impregnated with asphalt or coal tar pitch, or impregnated and coated with asphalt.
Fenestration - Any glass panel, window, door, curtain wall or skylight unit on the exterior of a building.
Ferrous - Refers to objects made of or partially made of iron, such as ferrous pipe.
Fillet Bead - Caulking or sealant placed in such a manner that it forms an angle between the materials being caulked.
Finish - In hardware, metal fastenings on cabinets which are usually exposed such as hinges and locks.
Finish Carpentry - The hanging of all interior doors, installation of door molding, base molding, chair rail, built in shelves, etc.
Finish Coat - The last coat applied in plastering intended as a base for further decorating or as a final decorative surface. Finish coat usually consists of calcified gypsum, lime and sometimes an aggregate. Some may require the addition of lime or sand on the job. The three basic methods of applying it are (1) trowel (2) flat and (3) spray.
Finish Grade - Any surface which has been cut to or built to the elevation indicated for that point. Surface elevation of lawn, driveway or other improved surfaces after completion of grading operations.
Fire Rated - Descriptive of materials that has been tested for use in fire walls.
Fire-Resistive - In the absence of a specific ruling by the authority having jurisdiction, applies to materials for construction not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and that will withstand such fires without serious impairment of their usefulness for at least 1 hour.
Fire Retardant Chemical - A chemical or preparation of chemicals used to reduce flammability or to retard spread of flame.
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 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs.
Fire Wall - Any wall built for the purpose of restricting or preventing the spread of fire in a building. Such walls of solid masonry or concrete generally sub-divide a building from the foundations to two or more feet above the plane of the roof.
Fishplate - A wood or plywood piece used to fasten the ends of two members together at a butt joint with nails or bolts. Sometimes used at the junction of opposite rafters near the ridge line.
Fish Tape (Fish Wire) – Material used to advance wire through a conduit.
Flagstone (Flagging or Flags) - Flat stones, from 1 to 4 inches thick, used for rustic walks, steps, floors, and the like.
Flake - A scale-like particle. To lose bond from a surface in small thin pieces. Sometimes a paint film "flakes".
Flash Point - The critical temperature at which a material will ignite.
Flashing - Weatherproof material installed between roof sheathing (or wall sheathing) and the finish materials to help keep moisture away from the sheathing. Typically, sheet metal or a similar material is used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage.
Flat Glass - A general term that describes float glass, sheet, glass, plate glass, and rolled glass.
Flat Grain - Flat-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately tangent to the growth rings, i.e., the rings form an angle of less than 45° with the surface of the piece.
Flat Paint - An interior paint that contains a high proportion of pigment and dries to a flat or lusterless finish.
Flat Seam - A seam at the junction of sheet metal roof components that has been bent at the plane of the roof.
Fleet Averaging - By using a point system, builders can show compliance with energy building requirements by using average figures for all air conditioning units in the same sub division.
Flexible Metal Conduit – Conduit similar to armored cable in appearance but does not have the pre-inserted conductors.
Float Glass - Glass formed on a bath of molten tin. The surface in contact with the tin is known as the tin surface or tin side. The top surface is known as the atmosphere surface or air side.
Floor Plan - The basic layout of building or addition, which includes placement of walls, windows and doors as well as dimensions.
Floor Plate - See Floor Plan.
Flue - The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage is called a flue, which together with any others and the surrounding masonry make up the chimney.
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 or masonry work around the outside. Flue lining in chimneys runs from about a foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney.
Flush Glazing - (Pocket Glazing) The setting of a light of glass or panel into a four-sided sash or frame opening containing a recessed "U" shaped channel without removable stops on three sides of the sash or frame and one channel with a removable stop along the fourth side.
Fly Rafters - End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof sheathing and lookouts.
Folded Seam - In sheet metal work, a joint between sheets of metal wherein the edges of the sheets are crimped together and folded flat.
Footings - Wide pours of cement reinforced with re-bar (reinforcing bar) that support foundation walls, pillars, or posts. Footings are part of the foundation and are often poured before the foundation walls.
Foot Print - See Floor Plan.
Foundation - The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction, or below grade, including the footings.
Frieze - In house construction a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice.
Frostline - The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement.
Fully-Adhered - A completely attached (adhered) roof membrane.
Fully Tempered Glass - Flat or bent glass that has been heat-treated to a high surface and/or edge compression to meet the requirements of ASTM C 1048, kind FT. Fully tempered glass, if broken, will fracture into many small pieces (dice) which are more or less cubical. Fully tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness when exposed to uniform static pressure loads.
Fungi (wood) - Microscopic plants that live in damp wood and cause mold, stain, and decay.
Fungicide - A chemical that is poisonous to fungi.
Furnace: A heating system that uses the principle of thermal convection. When air is heated, it rises and as the air cools it settles. Ducts are installed to carry the hot air from the top of the furnace to the rooms. Other ducts, called cold air returns, return the cooler air back to the furnace.
Furring - Strips of wood or metal applied to a wall or other surface to even it and normally to serve as a fastening base for finish material.
Gable - The end of a building as distinguished from the front or rear side. The triangular end of an exterior wall from the level of the eaves to the ridge of a double-sloped roof. In house construction, the portion of the roof above the eave line of a double-sloped roof.
Gable End - An end wall having a gable.
Gambrel Roof - A type of roof which has its slope broken by an obtuse angle, so that the lower slope is steeper than the upper slope. A double sloped roof having two pitches.
Galvanize - To coat a metal with zinc by dipping it in molten zinc after cleaning.
Gaskets - pre-formed shapes, such as strips, grommets, etc., of rubber or rubber-like composition, used to fill and seal a joint or opening either alone or in conjunction with a supplemental application of a sealant.
Gauge - The thickness of sheet metal and wire, etc.
Gauge Board - (Spot Board) Board used to carry grout needed to patch small jobs.
General Contractor - (or Prime Contractor) A contractor responsible for all facets of construction of a building or renovation.
GFI or GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters - Special devices capable of opening a circuit when even a small amount of current is flowing through the grounding system.
GFRC - Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete; Material used in wall systems that resembles but generally does not perform as well as concrete. Usually a thin cementitious material laminated to plywood or other lightweight backing.
Gloss Enamel - A finishing material made of varnish and sufficient pigments to provide opacity and color, but little or no pigment of low opacity. Such an enamel forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and a high degree of gloss
Gloss (paint or enamel) - A paint or enamel that contains a relatively low proportion of pigment and dries to a sheen or luster.
Girder - A main beam upon which floor joists rest used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length, usually made of steel or wood.
Glass - A hard, brittle substance, usually transparent, made by fusing silicates under high temperatures with soda, lime, etc.
Glaze Coat - In roofing, a light, uniform mopping of bitumen on exposed felts to protect them from the weather, pending completion of the job.
Glazing – (n) A generic term used to describe an infill material such as glass, panels, etc. (v) the process of installing an infill material into a prepared opening in windows, door panels, partitions, etc.
Glazing Bead - In glazing, a strip surrounding the edge of the glass in a window or door which holds the glass in place.
Glazing Channel - In glazing, a three-sided, U-shaped sash detail into which a glass product is installed and retained.
Grade MW - Moderate Weather grade of brick for moderate resistance to freezing used, for example, in planters.
Grade NW - No Weather brick intended for use as a back-up or interior masonry.
Grade SW - Severe Weather grade of brick intended for use where high resistance to freezing is desired.
Grain - The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibers in wood.
Granules - The mineral particles of a graded size which are embedded in the asphalt coating of shingles and roofing.
Gravel - Loose fragments of rock used for surfacing built-up roofs, in sizes varying from 1/8" to 1 3/4".
Grounds - Guides used around openings and at the floorline to strike off plaster. They can consist of narrow strips of wood or of wide sub-jambs at interior doorways. They provide a level plaster line for installation of casing and other trim.
Ground System - The connection of current-carrying neutral wire to the grounding terminal in the main switch which in turn is connected to a water pipe. The neutral wire is called the ground wire.
Grounding Rod - Rod used to ground an electrical panel.
Grout or Grouting - A cement mortar mixture made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will just flow into joints and cavities of masonry work to fill them solid.
Gun Consistency - Sealant formulated in a degree of viscosity suitable for application through the nozzle of a caulking gun.
Gunite - A construction material composed of cement, sand or crushed slag and water mixed together and forced through a cement gun by pneumatic pressure, used in the construction of swimming pools.
Gutter - Metal or wood trough at the eaves of a roof to carry rain water from the roof to the downspout.
Gutter Strap - Metal bands used to support the gutter.
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