The Guide to a Glossary that can be used for Home and Building Inspections.----------------- GLOSSARY ------------------You do not learn much from a glossary except names and descriptions of words of the trade it is in relation with. In the meantime you may go to the Home Page link found at the bottom or the side bar Subjects. In a short time, you will be able to ask specific questions and the question will be listed in a question and answer section. Thanks. - A – Glossary - Air-dried lumberBuilding Inspector - Home inspector An inspector is an individual who has the capacity and expertise to be able to see, inspect, recognize, recommend explain, suggest the interrelation of different aspects and components of a property. He can take a property in it's present condition and recommend what is needed to improve the property and recognize latent defects which would be detrimental to its soundness and to its inhabitants. In order to do so, the inspector does a complete home or building inspection. He does a visual inspection of the house from top to bottom and recommends repairs, improvements, maintenance, and modernization priorities to protect and improve the property.
Lumber that has been piled in yards or sheds for any length of time. For the United States as a whole, the minimum moisture content of thoroughly air-dried lumber is 12 to 15 percent and the average is somewhat higher. In the South, air-dried lumber may be no lower than 19 percent. Airway A space between roof insulation and roof boards for movement of air. Alligatoring Coarse checking pattern characterized by a slipping of the new paint coating over the old coating to the extent that the old coating can be seen through the fissures. Anchor Anchoring mass of concrete Anchor bolts Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall. Apron The flat member of the inside trim of a window placed against the wall immediately beneath the stool. Areaway An open subsurface space adjacent to a building used to admit light or air or as a means of access to a basement. Asphalt Most native asphalt is a residue from evaporated petroleum. It is insoluble in water but soluble in gasoline when heated. Used widely in building for waterproofing roof coverings of many types, exterior wall coverings, flooring tile, and the like. Attic ventilators In houses, screened opening) provided to ventilate an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet ventilators and in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators. They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an exhaust system. (See also Louver) Return to top - B – Glossary - Backhand A simple molding sometimes used around the outer edge of plain rectangular casing as a decorative feature. Backfill The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation. Balusters Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail. Balustrade. A railing made up of balusters, top rail, and sometimes bottom rail, used on the edge of stairs, teal conies, and porches. Bargeboard A decorative board covering the projecting rafter (fly rafter) of the gable end. At the cornice, this member is a facie board. Base or baseboard A board placed against the wall around a room next to the floor to finish properly between floor and plaster. Base molding Molding used to trim the upper edge of interior baseboard. Base shoe Molding used next to the floor on interior baseboard. Sometimes called a carpet strip. Batten Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards. Batter board 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. Bay window Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan. Beam A structural member supporting a load that is applied across it Bearing partition A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight. Bearing wall A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight. Bed molding A molding in an angle, as between the over hanging cornice, or eaves, of a building and the sidewalls. Blind-nailing Nailing in such a way that the nail heads are not visible on the face of the work—usually at the tongue of matched boards. Blind stop A rectangular molding usually inches or more in width, used in the assembly of a window frame. Serves as a stop for storm and screen or combination windows and to resist air infiltration. Blue stain A bluish or grayish discoloration of the sapwood caused the growth of certain mold like fungi on the surface and in the interior of a piece, made possible by the same conditions that favor the growth of other fungi. Bodied linseed oil Linseed oil that has been thickened in viscosity by suitable processing with heat or chemicals. Bodied oils are obtainable in a great range in viscosity from a little greater than that of raw oil to just short of a jellied condition. Boiled linseed oil Linseed oil in which enough lead, manganese or cobalt salts have been incorporated to make the oil harden more rapidly when spread in thin coatings. Bolster A short horizontal timber or steel beam on top of a column to support and decrease the span of beams or girders. Boston ridge A method of applying asphalt or wood shingles at the ridge or at the hips of a roof as a finish. Brace An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to stifled the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed. Brick veneer A facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a frame wall or tile wall construction. Bridging 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 a spreading the action of loads. Inserted crossways between joists to brace them in order to stop them from falling over. Building Inspection - Home inspection A building or home inspection is the visual examination of the structure, parts, components and systems of a building or home. Building Inspector - Home inspector An inspector is an individual who has the capacity and expertise to be able to see, inspect, recognize, recommend explain, suggest the interrelation of different aspects and components of a property. He can take a property in it's present condition and recommend what is needed to improve the property and recognize latent defects which would be detrimental to its soundness and to its inhabitants. In order to do so, the inspector does a complete home or building inspection. He does a visual inspection of the house from top to bottom and recommends repairs, improvements, maintenance, and modernization priorities to protect and improve the property. Buck Often used in reference to rough frame opening members. Door bucks used in reference to metal door frame. Built-up roof 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. Butt joint The junction where the ends of two timbers or other members meet in a square-cut joint. Return to top - C – Glossary - Cant strip A triangular shaped piece of lumber used at the junction of a flat deck and a wall to prevent cracking of the roofing that is applied over it. Cap The upper member of a column, pilaster, door cornice molding, and the like. Casement frames and sash Frames of wood or metal enclosing part or the entire sash, which may be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges. Casing Molding of various widths and thicknesses used to trim door and window openings at the jambs. CATHEDRAL CEILING A ceiling that provides a large, vaulted space by eliminating the attic between the living area and the rafters, which may or may not be exposed; cathedral ceilings are usually insulated with high-performance batts or special, foam-filled panels. Caulking Seal to make a watertight and airtight joint. Also, the material used for this joint. Cement, Keene’s A white finish plaster that produces an extremely durable wall. Because of its density, it excels for use in bathrooms and kitchens and is also used extensively for the finish coat in auditoriums, public buildings, and other places where walls may be subjected to unusually hard wear or abuse. CFM This is an abbreviation for "cubic feet per minute," a rating that applies to power attic ventilators and other attic ventilation products. Checking Fissures that appear with age in many exterior paint coatings, at first superficial, but which in time may penetrate entirely through the coating. Checkrails Meeting rails sufficiently thicker than a window to fill the opening between the top and bottom sash made by the parting stop in the frame of double-hung windows. They are usually beveled. Circuit breaker Safety device to "trip", or shut down an electrical circuit in case of malfunction such as a short or overload. Collar beam A member normally of one or two inches thick by four to six inches wide connecting opposite roof rafters at or near the ridge board, It is also a beam to stiffen the roof structure Column In architecture: A perpendicular supporting member, circular or rectangular in section, usually consisting of a base, shaft, and capital. In engineering: A vertical structural compression member that supports loads acting in the direction of its longitudinal axis. Combination doors or windows Combination doors or windows used over regular openings. They provide winter insulation, summer protection, and often have self-storing or removable glass and screen inserts. This eliminates the need for handling a different unit each season. Concrete plain Concrete either without reinforcement, or reinforced only for shrinkage or temperature changes. Condensation In a building: Beads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior covering of a building when warm, moisture-laden air from the interior reaches a point where the temperature no longer permits the air to sustain the moisture it holds. Use of louvers or attic ventilators will reduce moisture condensation in attics. A vapor barrier under the gypsum lath or dry wall on exposed walls will reduce condensation in them. Conduit, electrical A pipe, usually metal, in which wire is installed. Construction dry wall A type of construction in which the interior wall finish is applied in a dry condition, generally in the form of sheet materials or wood paneling as contrasted to plaster. Construction, frame A type of construction in which the structural parts are wood or depend upon a wood frame for support. In codes, if masonry veneer is applied to the exterior walls, the classification of this type of construction is usually unchanged. Coped joint See Scribing Corbel out To build out one or more courses of brick or stone from the face of a wall, to form a support for timbers. Corner bead A strip of formed sheet metal, sometimes combined with a strip of metal lath, placed on corners before plastering to reinforce them. Also, a strip of wood finish three-quarters-round or angular placed over a plastered corner for protection. Corner boards Used as trim for the external corners of a house or other frame structure against which the ends of the siding are finished. Corner braces Diagonal braces at the corners of frame structure to stiffen and strengthen the wall. Let-in brace Nominal 1 inch-thick boards applied into notched studs diagonally. Cut-in brace Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4’s, cut in between each stud diagonally. Cornerite Metal-mesh lath cut into strips and bent to a right angle. Used in interior corners of walls and ceilings on lath to prevent cracks in plastering. Cornice Overhang of a pitched roof at the eaves line consisting of a fascia board (the vertical part) a soffit (the horizontal part under) and molding. There may be gutters attached to the fascia to collect rainwater. Cornice return That portion of the cornice that returns on the gable end of a house. Counter flashing A flashing usually used on chimneys at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and to prevent moisture entry. Course A continuous horizontal line of bricks, concrete blocks, siding boards, or shingles. Cove molding A molding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners. Cracks A crack is a clear separation between two sides. It can be a perfect face-to-face separation or it can be with movement in 2 or 3 directions. Up or down, backward or frontward movement or away from the other side. There can also be toppling of one side in relation to the other. Crawl space A shallow space below the living quarters of a basementless house, normally enclosed by the foundation walls. Cricket A small drainage-diverting roof structure of single or double slope placed at the junction of larger surfaces that meet at an angle, such as above a chimney. Cross-bridging Diagonal bracing between adjacent floor joists, placed near the center of the joist span to prevent joists from twisting. Crown molding A molding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered. Return to top - D – Glossary - Dado A rectangular groove across the width of a board or plank. In interior decoration, a special type of wall treatment. Decay Disintegration of wood or other substance through the action of fungi. Deck paint Enamel with a high degree of resistance to mechanical wear, designed for use on such surfaces as porch floors. Density The mass of substance in a unit volume. When expressed in the metric system, it is numerically equal to the specific gravity of the same substance. Depression or sinking The decent or sinking of localized area in relation to the surroundings. Dewpoint Temperature at which a vapor begins to deposit as a liquid. Applies especially to water in the atmosphere. See Lumber dimension. Direct nailing To nail perpendicular to the initial surface or to the junction of the pieces joined. Also termed face nailing. Doorjamb, interior The surrounding case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a horizontal head jamb. Dormer A roofed projection from a sloped roof into which a dormer window or vent opening is set. An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows, a door or other openings. Downspout A pipe for carrying water from the roofs gutters. Drainpipe Any of the pipes in the plumbing system that carry wastewater as opposed to human wastes from the toilet. Dressed and matched (tongued and grooved) Boards or planks machined in such a matter that there is a groove on one edge and a corresponding tongue on the other. Drier paint Usually oil-soluble soaps of such metals as lead manganese, or cobalt, which, in small proportions, hasten the oxidation and hardening (drying) of the drying oils in paints. Drip (a) A member of a cornice or other horizontal exterior finish course that has a projection beyond the other parts for throwing off water. (b) A groove in the under-side of a sill or drip cap to cause water to drop off on the outer edge instead of drawing back and running down the face of the building. 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. Drywall Interior covering material that is applied in large sheets or panels. The name has become synonymous with gypsum wallboard, most commonly known under the brand name Sheetrock or gyp-rock, or gypsrock. Ducts Round or rectangular galvanized metal pipes for circulating warm or cold air in forced-air heating or air-conditioning systems. Also the return conduits to the furnace. Return to top - E – Glossary - Eaves The lower margin of a roof that projects over the wall. Exhaust vent Located at the ridge of a roof or in gables, exhaust vents are designed to permit an efficient, unobstructed outflow of attic air. Expansion joint A bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion because of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs. Return to top - F - Glossary Facia or fascia A flat board, band, or face, used sometimes by itself but usually in combination with moldings, often located at the vertical outer face of the cornice. Filler (wood) A heavily pigmented preparation used for fining and leveling off the pores in open-pored woods. Fire-resistive In the absence of a specific ruling by the authority having jurisdiction, applies to materials for construction not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and that will withstand such fires without serious impairment of their usefulness for at least 1 hour. Fire retardant chemical A chemical or preparation of chemicals used to reduce flammability or to retard spread of flame. Fire stop A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Fishplate A wood or plywood piece used to fasten the ends of two members together at a butt joint with nails or bolts. Sometimes used at the junction of opposite rafters near the ridgeline. Flagstone (flagging or flags) Flat stones, from 1 to 4 inches thick, used for rustic walks, steps, floors, and the like. Flashing Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage. Flat paint An interior paint that contains a high proportion of pigment and dries to a flat or lusterless finish. Flue The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage is called a flue, which together with any others and the surrounding masonry make up the chimney. Flue lining Fire clay or terra-cotta pipe, round or square, usually made in all ordinary flue sizes and in 2-foot lengths, used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work around the outside. Flue lining in chimneys runs from about a foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney. Fly rafters End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof sheathing and lookouts. Footing A masonry section, usually concrete, in a rectangular form wider than the bottom of the foundation wall, column or pier it supports. Foundation The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction, or below grade, including the footings. Framing, balloon 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 sin plate to the roofplate and to which all floor joists are fastened. Framing, platform A system of framing a building in which floor joists of each story rest on the top plates of the story below or on the foundation sill for the first story, and the bearing walls and partitions rest on the subfloor of each story. Frieze In house construction a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice. Frostline The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement. Fungi, wood Microscopic plants that live in damp wood and cause mold, stain, and decay. Fungicide A chemical that is poisonous to fungi. Furring Strips of wood or metal applied to a wall or other surface to even it and normally to serve as a fastening base for finish material. Return to top - G – Glossary - Gable In house construction, the portion of the roof above the eave line of a double-sloped roof or the vertical triangular end of a house, extending from the eaves to the ridge. Gable end An end wall having a gable. Gable roof The most common roof design consisting of two planes that meet at a central peak and slope down to the building's long walls. Gloss enamel A finishing material made of varnish and sufficient pigments to provide opacity and color, but little or no pigment of low opacity. Such an enamel forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and a high degree of gloss. Gloss (paint or enamel) A paint or enamel that contains a relatively low proportion of pigment and dries to a sheen or luster. Girder A large or principal beam of wood or steel used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length. Grain The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibers in wood. Grain, edge (vertical) Edge-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately at right angles to the growth rings; i.e., the rings form an angle of 45Á or more with the surface of the piece. Grain, flat Flat-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately tangent to the growth rings, i.e., the rings form an angle of less than 45Á with the surface of the piece. Grain, quartersawn Another term for edge grain. Grounds Guides used around openings and at the floorline to strike off plaster. They can consist of narrow strips of wood or of wide subjambs at interior doorways. They provide a level plaster line for installation of casing and other trim. Grout Mortar made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will just flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry work and fill them solid. Gusset A flat wood, plywood, or similar type member used to provide a connection at intersection of wood members. Most commonly used at joints of wood trusses. They are fastened by nails, screws, bolts, or adhesives. Gutter or nave trough A shallow channel or conduit of metal or wood set below and along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater from the roof. Gypsum plaster Gypsum formulated to be used with the addition of sand and water for base-coat plaster. Return to top - H – Glossary - Header (a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. Hearth The inner or outer floor of a fireplace usually made of brick, tile, or stone. Heartwood The wood extending from the pith to the sapwood, the cells of which no longer participate in the life processes of the tree. Hip The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof. Hip roof A roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. Humidifier A device designed to increase the humidity within a room or a house by means of the discharge of water vapor. They may consist of individual room size units or larger units attached to the heating plant to condition the entire house. Return to top - I – Glossary - I-beam A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings, such as a double garage door, when wall and roof loads are imposed on the opening. Ice dam Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and refreezing of melted snow on the overhang. Ice dams can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks. Intake vent Usually located on the underside of an eave or in soffits, an intake vent allows needed air to enter the attic. IIC A new system utilized in the Federal Housing Administration recommended criteria for impact sound insulation. INR (Impact Noise Rating). A single figure rating which provides an estimate of the impact sound insulating performance of a floor-ceiling assembly.
Inspector Building Inspector - Home inspector An inspector is an individual who has the capacity and expertise to be able to see, inspect, recognize, recommend explain, suggest the interrelation of different aspects and components of a property. He can take a property in it's present condition and recommend what is needed to improve the property and recognize latent defects which would be detrimental to its soundness and to its inhabitants. In order to do so, the inspector does a complete home or building inspection. He does a visual inspection of the house from top to bottom and recommends repairs, improvements, maintenance, and modernization priorities to protect and improve the property.
Inspection Building Inspection - Home inspection A building or home inspection is the visual examination of the structure, parts, components and systems of a building or home.
Insulation board, rigid
A structural building board made of coarse wood or cane fiber in 1ò2- and 25/32-inch thickness. It can be obtained in various size sheets, in various densities, and with several treatments. Insulation, thermal Any material high in resistance to heat transmission that, when placed in the walls, ceiling, or floors of a structure, will reduce the rate of heat flow. Interior finish Material used to cover the interior framed areas, or materials of walls and ceilings Return to top - J – Glossary - Jack rafter A rafter that spans the distance from the wall plate to a hip or from a valley to a ridge. Jamb The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening. Joint The space between the adjacent surfaces of two members or components joined and held together by nails, glue, cement, mortar, or other means. Joint cement A powder that is usually mixed with water and used for joint treatment in gypsum-wallboard finish. Often called "spackle." Joist One of a series of parallel beams, usually 2 inches in thickness, used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls. Return to top - K – Glossary - Kiln dried lumber Lumber that has been kiln dried often to a moisture content of 6 to 12 percent. Common varieties of softwood lumber, such as framing lumber are dried to a somewhat higher moisture content. Knot In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece. Return to top - L – Glossary - Landing A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. 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 See Downspout Ledger strip A strip of lumber nailed along the bottom of the side of a girder on which joists rest. Light Space in a window sash for a single pane of glass. Also, a pane of glass. Lintel A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window. Lookout A short wood bracket or cantilever to support an overhang portion of a roof or the like, usually concealed from view Louver An opening with a series of horizontal slats so aranged as to permit ventilation but to exclude rain. See also Attic ventilators
Lumber Lumber is the product of the sawmill and planning mill not further manufactured other than by sawing, resawing, and passing lengthwise through a standard planning machine, crosscutting to length, and matching. Lumber, boards Yard lumber less than 2 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide. Lumber, dimension Yard lumber from 2 inches to, but not including, 5 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide. Includes joists, rafters, studs, plank, and small timbers. Lumber, dressed size The dimension of lumber after shrinking from green dimension and after machining to size or pattern. Lumber, matched Lumber that is dressed and shaped on one edge in a grooved pattern and on the other in a tongued pattern. Lumber, shiplap Lumber that is edge-dressed to make a close rabbeted or lapped joint. Lumber, timbers Yard lumber 5 or more inches in least dimension. Includes beams, stringers, posts, caps, sills, girders, and purlings Lumber, yard Lumber of those grades, sizes, and patterns, which are generally intended for ordinary construction, such as framework and rough coverage of houses. Return to top - M – Glossary - Mantel The shelf above a fireplace. Also used in referring to the decorative trim around a fireplace opening. Masonry Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, gypsum block, or other similar building units or materials or a combination of the same, bonded together with mortar to form a wall, pier, buttress, or similar mass Mastic A pasty material used as a cement (as for setting tile) or a protective coating (as for thermal insulation or waterproofing) Metal lath Sheets of metal that are slit and drawn out to form openings. Used as a plaster base for walls and ceilings and as reinforcing over other forms of plaster base. Millwork Generally, all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants and planing mills are included under the term "millwork." It includes such items as inside and outside doors, window and doorframes, blinds, porchwork, mantels, panelwork, stairways, moldings, and interior trim. It normally does not include flooring, ceiling, or siding. Miter joint The joint of two pieces at an angle that bisects the joining angle. For example, the miter joint at the side and head casing at a door opening is made at a 45Á angle. Moisture content of wood Weight of the water contained in the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the weight of the ovendry wood. Molding A wood strip having a coned or projecting surface used for decorative purposes. Mortise A slot cut into a board, plank, or timber, usually edgewise, to receive tenon of another board, plank, or timber to form a joint. Mullion A vertical bar or divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings. Muntin A small member that divides the glass or openings of sash or doors. Return to top - N – Glossary - Natural finish A transparent finish which does not seriously alter the original color or grain of the natural wood. Natural finishes are usually provided by sealers, oils, varnishes, water-repellent preservatives, and other similar materials. Net free Area Total unobstructed area through which air can enter or exhaust. Newel A post to which the end of a stair railing or balustrade is fastened. In addition, any post to which a railing or balustrade is fastened. Nonbearing wall A wall supporting no load other than its own weight. Nosing The projecting edge of a molding or drip. Usually applied to the projecting molding on the edge of a stair tread. Notch A crosswise rabbet at the end of a board. Return to top - O – Glossary - On center The measurement of spacing for studs, rafters, joists, and the like in a building from the center of one member to the center of the next. O. G.,or ogee A molding with a profile in the form of a letter S; having the outline of a reversed curve. Outrigger An extension of a rafter beyond the wall line. Usually a smaller member nailed to a larger rafter to form a cornice or roof overhang. Return to top - P – Glossary - Paint A combination of pigments with suitable thinners or oils to provide decorative and protective coatings. Panel In house construction, a thin flat piece of wood, plywood, or similar material, framed by stiles and rails as in a door or fitted into grooves of thicker material with molded edges for decorative wall treatment. Paper, building A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses. Paper, sheathing A building material, generally paper or felt, used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and sometimes moisture. Parting stop or strip A small wood piece used in the side and head jambs of double-hung windows to separate upper and lower sash. Partition A wall that subdivides spaces within any story of a building. Penny As applied to nails, it originally indicated the price per hundred. The term now series as a measure of nail length and is abbreviated by the letter d. Perm A measure of water vapor movement through a material (grains per square foot per hour per inch of mercury difference in vapor pressure). Pier A column of masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross section, used to support other structural members. Pigment A powdered solid in suitable degree of subdivision for use in paint or enamel. Pitch The incline slope of a roof or the ratio of the total rise to the total width of a house, i.e., an 8-foot rise and 24-foot width is a one-third-pitch roof. Roof slope is expressed in the inches of rise per foot of run. Pitch pocket An opening extending parallel to the annual rings of growth, that usually contains, or has contained, either solid or liquid pitch Pith The small, soft core at the original center of a tree around which wood formation takes place. Plaster grounds Strips of wood used as guides or strike off edges around window and door openings and at base of walls. Plate Sill plate: a horizontal member anchored to a masonry wall. Sole plate: bottom horizontal member of a frame wall. Top plate: top horizontal member of a frame wall supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other members. Plough To cut a lengthwise groove in a board or plank. Plumb Exactly perpendicular; vertical. Pl A term to denote the number of thicknesses or layers of roofing felt, veneer in plywood, or layers in built-up materials, in any finished piece of such material. Plywood A piece of wood made of three or more layers of veneer joined with glue, and usually laid with the grain of adjoining plies at right angles. Almost always, an odd number of plies are used to provide balanced construction. Pores Wood cells of comparatively large diameter that have open ends and are set one above the other to form continuous tubes. The openings of the vessels on the surface of a piece of wood are referred to as pores. POWER VENTILATORS A powered fan that can be installed on the roof or gable end of the house. A thermostat turns the fan on and off to ventilate the attic. Some power ventilators also have a humidistat to vent excess moisture from the attic. Preservative Any substance that, for a reasonable length of time, will prevent the action of wood-destroying fungi, borers of various kinds, and similar destructive agents when the wood has been properly coated or impregnated with it. Primer The first coat of paint in a paint job that consists of two or more coats; also the paint used for such a first coat. Putty A type of cement usually made of whiting and boiled linseed oil, beaten or kneaded to the consistency of dough, and used in sealing glass in sash, filling small holes and crevices in wood, and for similar purposes. Return to top - Q – Glossary - Quarter round A small molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle. Return to top - R – Glossary - Rabbet A rectangular longitudinal groove cut in the corner edge of a board or plank. Radiant heating A method of heating, usually consisting of a forced hot water system with pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling; or with electrically heated panels. Rafter One of a series of structural members of a roof designed to support roof loads. The rafters of a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists. Rafter, hip A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle. Rafter, valley A rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle. The valley rafter is normally made of double 2-inch-thick members. Rail Cross members of panel doors or of a sash. Also the upper and lower members of a balustrade or staircase extending from one vertical support, such as a post, to another. Rake Trim members that run parallel to the roof slope and form the finish between the wall and a gable roof extension. Raw linseed oil The crude product processed from flaxseed and usually without much subsequent treatment. Reflective insulation Sheet material with one or both sun faces of comparatively low heat emissivity, such as aluminum foil. When used in building construction the surfaces face air spaces, reducing the radiation across the air space. Reinforcing Steel rods or metal fabric placed in concrete slabs, beams, or columns to increase their strength. Relative humidity The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of the maximum quantity that could be present at a given temperature. (The actual amount of water vapor that can be held in space increases with the temperature.) Resorcinol Glue A glue that is >high in both wet and dry strength and resistant to high temperatures. It is used for gluing lumber or assembly joints that must withstand severe service conditions. Ribbon (Girt) Normally a 1- by 4-inch board let into the studs horizontally to support ceiling or second-floor joists. Ridge The horizontal line at the junction of the top edges of two sloping roof surfaces. Ridge board The board placed on edge at the ridge of the roof into which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened. Rise In stairs, the vertical height of a step or flight of stairs. Riser Each of the vertical boards closing the spaces between the treads of stairways. Roll roofing Roofing material composed of fiber and satin rated with asphalt that is supplied in 36-inch wide rolls with 108 square feet of material. Weights are generally 45 to 90 pounds per roll. Roof sheathing The boards or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid. Rubber-emulsion paint Paint, the vehicle of which consists of rubber or synthetic rubber dispersed in fine droplets in water. Run In stairs, the net width of a step or the horizontal distance covered by a flight of stairs. Return to top - S – Glossary - Saddle Two sloping surfaces meeting in a horizontal ridge, used between the backside of a chimney, or other vertical surface, and a sloping roof. Sand float finish Lime mixed with sand, resulting in a textured finish. Sapwood The outer zone of wood, next to the bark. In the living tree, it contains some living cells (the heartwood contains none), as well as dead and dying cells. In most species, it is lighter colored than the heartwood. In all species, it is lacking in decay resistance. Sash A single light frame containing one or more lights of glass. Sash balance A device usually operated by a spring or tensioned weather-stripping designed to counterbalance double-hung window sash. Saturated felt A felt that is impregnated with tar or asphalt. Scratch coat The first coat of plaster, which is scratched to form a bond for the second coat. Screed A small strip of wood, usually the thickness of the plaster coat, used as a guide for plastering. Scribing Fitting woodwork to an irregular surface. In moldings, cutting the end of one piece to fit the molded face of the other at an interior angle to replace a miter joint. Sealer A finishing material, either clear or pigmented, that is usually applied directly over uncoated wood for the purpose of sealing the surface. Seasoning Removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its serviceability. Semigloss paint or enamel A paint or enamel made with a slight insufficiency of nonvolatile vehicle so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy. Shake A thick hand split shingle, resawed to form two shakes; usually edge-grained. Sheathing The structural covering, usually wood boards or plywood, used over studs or rafters of a structure. Structural building board is normally described only as wall sheathing. Sheathing paper See Paper, sheathing. Sheet metal work All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts. Shellac A transparent coating made by dissolving a resinous secretion of the lac bug (a scale insect that thrives in tropical countries, especially India), in alcohol. Shingles Roof covering of asphalt, asbestos, wood, tile, slate, or other material cut to stock lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Shingles, siding Various kinds of shingles, such as wood shingles or shakes and nonwood shingles, that are used over sheathing for exterior sidewall covering of a structure. Shiplap See Lumber, shiplap. Shutter Usually lightweight louvered or flush wood or nonwood frames in the form of doors located at each side of a window. Some are made to close over the window for protection; others are fastened to the wall as a decorative device. Siding The finish covering of the outside wall of a frame building, whether made of horizontal weatherboards, vertical boards with battens, shingles, or other material. Siding, bevel Wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern. This siding varies in butt thickness from 1ò2 to 3ò4 inch and in widths up to 12 inches. Normally used over some type of sheathing. Siding, Dolly Varden Beveled wood siding, which is rabbeted on the bottom edge. Siding, drop Usually 3ò4 inch thick and 6 and 8 inches wide with tongued-and-grooved or shiplap edges. Often used as siding without sheathing in secondary buildings. Sill The lowest member of the frame of a structure, resting on the foundation and supporting the floor joists or the uprights of the wall. The member forming the lower side of an opening, as a doorsill, windowsill, etc. Sleeper Usually, a wood member embedded in concrete, as in a floor, that serves to support and to fasten subfloor or flooring. Soffit Usually the underside of an overhanging part of a roof that extends beyond a home's exterior walls. Soil cover (ground cover) A light covering of plastic film, roll roofing, or similar material used over the soil in crawl spaces of buildings to minimize moisture permeation of the area. Soil pipe Pipe in waste system that carries liquid waste and excrement Soil stack A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping. Sole or sole plate See Plate Solid bridging A solid member placed between adjacent floor joists near the center of the span to prevent joists from twisting. Span The distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses. Splash block A small masonry block laid with the top close to the ground surface to receive roof drainage from downspouts and to carry it away from the building. Square A unit of measure—100 square feet—usually applied to roofing material. Sidewall coverings are sometimes packed to cover 100 square feet and are sold on that basis. Stain, shingle A form of oil paint, very thin in consistency, intended for coloring wood with rough surfaces, such as shingles, without forming a coating of significant thickness or gloss. Stair carriage Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2-inch plank notched to receive the treads; sometimes called a "rough horse." Stair landing See Landing. Stair rise. See Rise STC. (Sound Transmission Class) A measure of sound stopping of ordinary noise. Stile An upright framing member in a panel door. Stool A flat molding fitted over the windowsill between jambs and contacting the bottom rail of the lower sash. Storm sash or storm window An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather. Story That part of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above. Strip flooring Wood flooring consisting of narrow, matched strips. String or stringer String, stringer A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest; also stringboard. Stucco A plaster for exterior use, made with cement as a base for Stucco and finishes. Most commonly refers to an outside plaster made with Portland cement as its base. Stud One of a series of slender wood or metal vertical structural members placed as supporting elements in walls and partitions. (Plural: studs or studding.) Subfloor Boards or plywood laid on joists over which a finish floor is to be laid. Suspended ceiling A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing. Return to top - T – Glossary - Tail beam A relatively short beam or joist supported in a wall on one end and by a header at the other. Termites Insects that superficially resemble ants in size, general appearance, and habit of living in colonies; hence, they are frequently called "white ants." Subterranean termites establish themselves in buildings not by being carried in with lumber, but by entering from ground nests after the building has been constructed. If unmolested, they eat out the woodwork, leaving a shell of sound wood to conceal their activities, and damage may proceed so far as to cause collapse of parts of a structure before discovery. There are about 56 species of termites known in the United States; but the two major ones, classified by the manner in which they attack wood, are ground inhabiting or subterranean termites (the most common) and dry wood termites, which are found almost exclusively along the extreme southern border and the Gulf of Mexico in the United States. Note: Termites have not been found yet in Montreal. Termite shield A shield, usually of noncorrosive metal placed in or on a foundation wall or other mass of masonry or around pipes to prevent passage of termites. Terneplate Sheet iron or steel coated with an alloy of lead and tin. Threshold A strip of wood or metal with beveled edges used over the finish floor and the sill of exterior doors. Toenailing To drive a nail at a slant with the initial surface in order to permit it to penetrate into a second member.] Tongued and grooved See Dressed and matched. 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, and other moldings) Trimmer A beam or joist to which a header is nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. Truss A frame or jointed structure designed to act as a beam of long span, while each member is usually subjected to longitudinal stress only, either tension or compression. Turpentine A volatile oil used as a thinner in paints and as a solvent in varnishes. Chemically, it is a mixture of terpenes. Return to top - U – Glossary - Undercoat A coating applied prior to the finishing or top coats of a paint job. It may be the first of two or the second of three coats. In some usage of the word it may, become synonymous with priming coat. Underlayment A material placed under finish coverings, such as flooring, or shingles, to provide a smooth, even surface for applying the finish. Return to top
- V – Glossary - Valley The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof. Vapor barrier Material used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation in them. Usually considered as having a perm value of less than 1.0. Applied separately over the warm side of exposed walls or as a part of batt or blanket insulation. Veneer Thin sheets of wood made by rotary cutting or slicing of a log. Ventilation A system of intake and exhaust that creates a flow of air. Vermiculite A mineral closely related to mica, with the faculty of expanding on heating to form lightweight material with insulation quality. Used as bulk insulation and also as aggregate in insulating and acoustical plaster and in insulating concrete floors. Volatile thinner A liquid that evaporates readily and is used to thin or reduce the consistency of finishes without altering the relative volumes of pigment and nonvolatile vehicles Return to top - W - Glossary Wane Bark, or lack of wood from any cause, on edge or corner of a piece of wood. Water-repellent preservative A liquid designed to penetrate into wood and impart water repellency and a moderate preservative protection. It is used for millwork, such as sash and frames, and is usually applied by dipping. Weather-strip Narrower or jamb-width sections of thin metal or other material to prevent infiltration of air and moisture around windows and doors. Compression weather stripping prevents air infiltration, provides tension, and acts as a counter balance. Wood rays Strips of cells extending radially within a tree and varying in height from a few cells in some species to 4 inches or more in oak. The rays serve primarily to store food and to transport it horizontally in the tree. Return to top - X – Glossary -
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