B

BTU (British Thermal Unit)

The amount of heat required raise one pound of water one degree F.

Back Charge

Billings for work performed or costs incurred by one party that, in accordance with the agreement, should have been performed or incurred by the party to whom billed. Owners bill back charges to general contractors, and general contractors bill back charges to subcontractors. Examples of back charges include charges for cleanup work or to repair something damaged by another subcontractor, such as a tub chip or broken window.

Backfill

The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation.

Baffles

Device to help achieve a ventilation space between insulation and roof sheathing. It helps assure airflow from the eave vents in attics and cathedral ceilings.

Balcony

a deck projecting from the wall of a building above ground level.

Balloon Framing

A system of framing a building in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions consist of single pieces extending from the top of the foundation sill plate to the roof plate and to which all floor joists are fastened.

Balloon Loan

A loan that comes due and must be paid off or refinanced because the final payment is much higher than the monthly payments.

Balusters

Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail.

Balustrade

A series of balusters connected by a rail; generally used for porches and balconies.

Band Joist

Vertical member that forms the perimeter of a floor system in which the floor joists tie in. Also known as the rim joist.

Banister

A handrail with supporting posts used alongside a stairway.

Barrel Vault

A vaulted ceiling of semi-circular shape, creating a dome-like appearance.

Base Shoe

A molding used next to the floor in interior baseboards.

Baseboard

The finish board covering the interior wall where the wall and the floor meet.

Basement Foundation

A basement is a usable foundation that typically has ceiling heights of 8' and is often finished off as living or storage space.

Batt

a roll or sheet of insulation designed to be installed between members of frame construction.

Batten

Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards.

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.

Bay Window

Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan.

Beam

A structural member transversely supporting a load.

Beam Ceiling

A ceiling in which the ceiling beams are exposed to view.

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.

Beech

A whitish to reddish brown hardwood used especially in construction for interior and exterior cabinet parts. Blends well with birch for stained kitchen cabinets and vanities.

Bench Mark

A mark on some permanent object fixed to the ground from which land measurements and elevations are taken.

Birch

Hard and heavy light reddish brown hardwood. The most widely used hardwood veneer for flush doors, cabinetwork, and paneling. Mill products include interior trim, flooring, sash, and trim.

Blind Nailing

A method of nailing so that the nail is not visible.

Board Foot

A method of lumber measurements using nominal dimensions of 1 in. thick, 12 in. wide, and 12 in. long, or the equivalent.

Bonus Room

A room with no specifically designated function, unlike a living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Is not included in the initial square footage.

Bottom Plate

The lowest horizontal member of a wall, which rests on the rough floor, to which the studding is nailed.

Brick

A solid masonry unit composed of clay or shale. Formed into a rectangular prism while soft and burned or fired in kiln.

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 mid span to act both as tension and compression members for the purpose of bracing the joists and spreading the action of loads.

Building Code

A comprehensive set of laws that controls the construction or remodeling of a home or other structure.

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.

Bundle

A package of shingles. Normally, there are 3 bundles per square and 27 shingles per bundle.

Bureau of Land Management

The branch of government in charge of surveying public lands.