Reference Library

The Glossary

Definitions Explained in Plain English

Cupola
A small, decorative structure built on the roof of a house. It is often placed over an attached garage and may also be used for ventilating purposes.
Current
Term used to describe electrical flow.
Curtain Wall
An exterior or interior wall, which provides no structural support.
Dado Joint
A groove cut across the face of a board to receive the end of another board. Often used in quality shelf and cabinet construction.
Damper
A movable plate, which regulates the draft of a stove, fireplace, or furnace.
Dead Load
All the unmovable weight in a structure and the weight of the structure itself.
Deed
Actually, any one of many conveyancing or financing instruments, but generally a conveyancing instrument, given to pass fee title to property upon sale.
Dentil
One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an overhang, most common in colonial-style homes.
Dimension Lumber
Framing lumber, which is 2 in. thick and from 4 to 12 in. wide.
Distribution Panel
The main box through which electrical power is brought into the home and then distributed.
Dome
A roof used over an entryway or a complete structure in the form of a hemisphere.
Dome Structures
Structures incorporating design elements of the geodesic dome or triangular space frames.
Door
A sliding or hinged structure, covering an opening to a cupboard, closet, room, building, etc. May be used as an entrance or exit. Usually constructed of wood, glass, or metal, depending on its service.
Doorjamb
Two vertical pieces held together by a head jamb forming the inside lining of a door opening.
Doorstop
The strips on the doorjambs against which the door closes.
Dormer
An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.
Double Glazing
Making a pane of two pieces of glass with air space between and sealed to provide insulation.
Double Header
Two or more timbers or lumber joined for strength.
Double Hung
Refers to a window having top and bottom sashes, each capable of movement up and down.
Douglas Fir
A yellow to pale reddish soft wood. The leading veneer wood primarily converted into plywood and widely used in building and construction. Lumber used in general construction. Mill products used for sash, flooring, and doors.
Downspout
A pipe, usually of metal, for carrying rainwater from roof gutters.
Dressed Size
The actual size of lumber after jointing and surfacing.
Drip Cap
A molding placed on the exterior topside of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.
Dry Wall
Interior covering material, such as gypsum board or plywood, which is applied in large sheets or panels.
Dry Well
A pit located on porous ground, walled up with rock, which allows water to seep through; used for the disposal of rainwater or as the effluent from a septic tank.
Ducts
In a house, usually round or rectangular metal pipes for distributing warm air from the heating plant to rooms, or air from a conditioning device or as cold air returns. Ducts are also made of composition materials.
Duplex Outlet
Electrical wall outlet having two plug receptacle.
Dwarf Wall
A low wall built to retain an excavation or embankment.
Earnest Money
A partial payment made as part of the purchase price to bind a contract for property.
Earth Sheltered Dwelling
A structure, which uses soil to reduce heat loss (or gain).
Easement
An area of a piece of property given rights to another for the purpose of placing power lines, drains, and other specified uses.
Eastern fir
A softwood similar to spruce in its general characteristics. Used for siding, moldings, and general construction.
Eave Vent
Vent opening located in the soffit under the eaves of a house to allow the passage of air through the attic and out the roof vents.
Eaves
The lower portion of the roof that overhangs the wall.
Egress
A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement.
Electrical Service Panel
Refers to the high-voltage electrical system's first point of entry into a home beyond the meter.
Elevations
The exterior view of a home design that shows the position of the house relative to the grade of the land.
Ell
An extension or wing of a building at right angles to the main section.
Energy Efficient
Method of construction or building practice by which less energy is used or consumed to produce the same level of energy service. 2. Materials, appliances, or other items designed to reduce consumption of energy while providing a specific energy output.
Equity
The market value less any loans against a property.