The Glossary

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.

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

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

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

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

A handrail with supporting posts used alongside a stairway.

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

A molding used next to the floor in interior baseboards.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

A structural member transversely supporting a load.

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

A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

A facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a frame wall or tile wall construction.

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.

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

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.

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

The branch of government in charge of surveying public lands.

A projecting structure supported on one end, such as a balcony.

A garage not fully enclosed.

A hinged window, usually metal, that opens out.

Molding of various widths and thickness used to trim door and window openings at the jambs.

A waterproof material used to seal cracks.

A system, which uses ducts to distribute cooling and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses, pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.

A system by which the heat from a single source is distributed with ducts.

A unit of land measurement 66 ft. in length.