L

Lally Column

A steel column used as a support for girders and beams.

Laminated Beam

A beam made of superimposed layers of similar materials by uniting them with glue and pressure.

Landing

A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs.

Lap Siding

Slightly wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern over the exterior sheathing. Varies in butt thickness from to inch and in widths up to 12".

Lath

A building material of wood, metal, gypsum, or insulating board that is fastened to the frame of a building to act as a plaster base.

Lattice

A framework of crossed wood or metal strips.

Leader

A vertical pipe or downspout that carries rainwater from the gutter to the ground or storm sewer.

Lease

A contract for the use of land for a period of years with a designated payment of a monthly or annual rental.

Ledger Strip

A strip of lumber nailed along the bottom of the side of a girder on which the joists rest.

Legal Description

A written indication of the location and boundaries of a parcel of land. Reference is generally made to a recorded plat of survey.

Lien

A legal right or claim that one party has against a property as a security for a payment obligation.

Lintel

A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.

Live Load

A load that is not derived from the actual structure, but from furniture, snow, people, or other weight placed upon surfaces.

Load

The amount of power or watts on a circuit or distribution panel.

Load-Bearing Wall

Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder. Normally, any wall that has a double horizontal top plate.

Lookout

A short wooden framing member used to support an overhanging portion of a roof. It extends from the wall to the underside surfacing of the overhang.

Lot

A measured amount of property (land) having fixed boundaries.

Lot Line

The line forming the legal boundary of a piece of property.

Louver

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