T

Tail Beam

A relatively short beam or joist supported in a wall on one end and by a header at the other.

Take Off

The list of materials necessary to complete a job.

Taping

The process of covering drywall joints with strips of paper or mesh and coating with joint compound to produce a smooth, seamless surface.

Term

The length of a loan.

Termite Shield

A shield, usually of non-corrodible metal, placed in or on a foundation wall or other mass of masonry or around pipes to prevent passage of termites.

Terrazzo Flooring

Wear-resistant flooring made of marble chips or small stones embedded in cement and polished smooth.

Thermal Mass

Materials, which can store large amounts of heat such as stone, masonry, or concrete.

Thermo Siphoning

Is the result of a fluid expanding and rising.

Thermostat

Automatic device for controlling temperature.

Threshold

A strip of wood or metal with beveled edges uses over the finish floor and the sill of exterior doors.

Title

Evidence indicating the rights a person has to the ownership and possession of land.

Top Plate

The horizontal member nailed to the top of the studding of a wall.

Topography

Usually refers to site characteristics such as contour of the land, trees, or other natural features.

Tract

A specified area of land.

Transom

A window placed above a door or permanent window, which is hinged for ventilation.

Trap

A u-shaped pipe below plumbing fixtures designed to create a water seal and prevent sewer odors and gases from being released into the habitable areas.

Tray Ceiling

A decorative ceiling treatment used to add volume and/or height to a room. 2 Common types are: 1) Angled area toward the center leading to a flat ceiling surface, and 2) Stepped square edged leading toward the center of the ceiling.

Tread

The horizontal board in a stairway on which the foot is placed.

Trim

The finish materials in a building, such as moldings, applied around openings (window trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice).

Trimmer

The longer floor framing member around a rectangular opening into which a header is joined.

Troweling

The finishing operation, which produces a smooth, hard surface on concrete slab.

Truss

Structural members arranged and fastened in triangular units to form a ridge framework for support of loads over a long span.

Truss Framing

A method of roof framing by which carefully designed framing members (trusses) are composed of multiple triangles and connected to metal fastener plates. Pre-engineered trusses are designed and assembled by the truss manufacturer and shipped to the building site.