The Glossary

A description of the measure and marking of land, including maps and field notes, which describe the property.

A ceiling system supported by hanging from the overhead structural framing.

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

The list of materials necessary to complete a job.

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

The length of a loan.

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.

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

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

Is the result of a fluid expanding and rising.

Automatic device for controlling temperature.

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

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

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

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

A specified area of land.

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

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.

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.

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

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).

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

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

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

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.

A material placed under finish coverings, such as flooring or shingles, to provide a smooth, even surface for applying the finish.

Insulation with no attached vapor retarder (kraft paper or foil-backed paper).

A room used for laundry, heating equipment, telephone wiring, or janitorial purposes.

The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof.

The diagonal rafter at the intersection of two intersecting sloping roofs.

A waterproof membrane or plastic sheet used in insulation. The sheathing faces the heated area to control dampness.

A ceiling that angles upward on one or both sides to create volume in the room.

Extremely thin sheets of wood produced by slicing or rotary-cutting a log.

Type of wall construction in which frame or masonry walls are faced with other exterior surfacing materials.

A vertical soil pipe connected to the drainage system to allow ventilation and pressure equalization.

Creates a positive flow of air that allows the house to "breathe" and helps prevent moisture build-up year-round.

An open porch alongside a building. Usually covered by a roof for protection from the sun or rain.

A unit of electrical force. Volts = Current (amps) x Resistance (OHMs).

Surfacing on the lower part of an interior wall when finished differently from the remainder of the wall.

A final inspection of a home before "closing" to look for and document problems that need to be corrected.