Abbreviation for an air conditioner or an air conditioning system.

The exterior fan of an air conditioning system that cools and liquifies freon gas and returns it to the air conditioning coil.

The A/C condenser's ON-OFF switch.

Any material that controls or reduces the transmission of sound within a structure.

The ability of a coating to stick or adhere to a surface.

A Spanish word for sun-dried brick or a mixture of clay, quartz and minerals from which bricks are made. Since they are water soluble, their use is mainly restricted to dry or arid locations.

Material added to a concrete mixture to make it harden more quickly.

Any granular mineral material, including crushed stone, slag, gravel or a sand/stone mixture commonly used in making concrete.

A vertical, air-filled pipe that absorbs pressure caused by shutting off water and prevents the condition known as water hammer.

Lumber stored in yards or sheds and dried by exposure to air.

The one-inch gap between a building's wall insulation and the exterior wall.

The space between roof insulation and roofing material that increases air circulation.

Money reserved to pay for construction materials not specified in a construction contract.

The temperature of surrounding air.

The unit of measurement of electrical current found in a home, generally between 125 and 200 amps.

An organization that represents the United States in the International Organization for Standardization.

Steel bolts embedded in a concrete foundation that hold a structure's foundation and framing together.

The process of subjecting metal to controlled heating and cooling to make it less vulnerable to metal fatigue and failure under stress.

Any secondary building or structure attached or adjacent to a main building but still considered an integral part of the main building.

The trim board located beneath a window sill.

A state-licensed and approved person who plans, designs and supervises the construction of buildings or other large structures.

Multilayered shingles with a shakelike appearance that appears to be three-dimensional (see laminated shingles).

The open, subsurface area adjacent to a building or structure that admits light, air and/or entry to the basement area of that building or structure.

A galvanized metal or concrete wall surrounding a basement window to hold back and restrain soil movement (see window wells).

A skilled manual worker or craftsperson expert in a particular art.

ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

A brownish-black solid or semisolid mixture of bitumens (a mixture obtained from coal or petroleum distillation) obtained from native deposits or as a petroleum by-product, used in paving, roofing or waterproofing.

A molding strip attached to one of the two swinging double-doors in a set that acts as a stop for the other door.

The opening(s) in a building ceiling for access to the attic.

The screen-covered openings in the exterior walls of buildings that allow air to flow through attic spaces.

A decorative molding that usually surrounds a rectangular casing.

Wood installed between wall studs for added support for drywall or interior items such as cabinets, towel bars, shelving or handrails.

The work done by a framing contractor after work done by electrical, heating and plumbing subcontractors but before a municipal frame inspection.

The platform that projects from the wall of a building that is surrounded by a railing, balustrade or parapet.

The transformer that increases the voltage in a fluorescent lamp so that it operates properly.

The mechanism that controls the flow of water into a gravity-operated toilet tank (see float valve).

Refers to the size of a ball that can pass through a toilet trap or as a reference to trap size.

Framed walls that span the entire vertical length from the floor sill plate to the roof, making a gable end truss unnecessary.

The usually decorative vertical supports for a stairway railing.

A rail and the row of balusters or posts that support it, as along the front of a gallery.

A horizontal rafter beam that supports shorter rafters.

The horizontal board attached to rafter or truss ends at the eaves to which gutters are attached (see fascia board).

A wrench designed for proper fit and access to faucet mountings and couplings.

A trim board placed against the wall area where it meets the floor of a room.

The framed glass unit installed in the window buck.

Molding used next to the floor on the baseboard.

A half-brick.

Any amount of concrete mixed at one time.

A section of fiberglass or rock wool insulation measuring roughly two feet by eight feet long and of various thicknesses, sometimes including a paper covering or facing on one side (see blankets).

Narrow, usually decorative strips of wood used to cover joints between plywood or wide boards.

Horizontal boards fastened to posts set at the corners of an excavation to mark the desired level of the grade.

A window that extends outward and beyond an exterior wall.

A heavy, main support element made of concrete, steel or wood installed horizontally between columns or load bearing walls.

A partition that is also a weight or load-bearing support.

A pile that supports a vertical load.

The point at which part of a structure's weight is focused for transference to a foundation.

A wall that is also a weight or load-bearing support.

The perpendicular beam to which joists are nailed for framing openings, such as chimneys, doors, stairs or windows.

A concrete layer used to provide support to bricks, slabs and pipes.

A solid rock formation either at or below the surface of the earth.

The formal written offer by a contractor to perform project work that includes details of the work, pricing and terms.

A bond filed with a bid for a construction or other project that guarantees that, if the contractor has the low bid and is awarded the job, he will furnish the required performance bond.

A term that refers to contractors attempting to find or influence subcontractor and material prices lower than those they submitted in their original bid.

The rules, procedures and conditions for submitting bids.

Doors hinged in the middle requiring a smaller opening space.

Doors that slide by each other on tracks or rails.

A section of fiberglass or rock wool insulation measuring roughly two feet by eight feet long and of various thicknesses, sometimes including a paper covering on one side (see batt).

Excess water that forms on the surface of newly poured concrete.

A raised area on a surface with a cavity or open space below it.

Small wood pieces that brace framing members, such as door openings or rafters, or that provide a nailing base for gypsum board or paneling.

Placing a box or barrier within a foundation wall to prevent the entry of concrete so that protected areas can be used for installing entry doors or to allow for the passage of pipes and conduits.

Loose fiber insulation blown in to insulate attics and enclosed wall spaces.

A contract print of a drawing made by an architect or designer for the purpose of designing, planning, securing permits and/or constructing a building or structure.

A lumber measurement of a piece of wood 12 inches square and 1 inch thick.

An enclosed, pressurized vessel in which water is heated and circulated, either as hot water or as steam, for heating or power.

The amount a contractor must deposit with a governmental agency in order to receive a contractor's license.

A long pole extending upward from the mast of a derrick to support or guide objects being lifted or suspended, such as support beams or trusses.

2" x 4" or 2" x 6" lumber placed on sub-flooring to which studs are attached.

Angled or inclined framing lumber attached to support and strengthen walls or flooring.

The metal electrical box containing circuit breakers that distribute electricity to the circuits of a building.

The portion of a foundation wall on which brick veneer rests.

An angle iron that supports brick installed above openings such as doors or windows.

Corrugated metal strips attached to wall sheeting or studs through mortar joints that support brick veneer walls.

A brick facing attached to an exterior wall.

Use of wood or metal diagonal inserts to brace and distribute weight between floor joists or rafters.

A measure of the amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree on the Fahrenheit scale.

The rough frame openings for doors or windows.

Sectioning of areas or territories for a specific purpose, such as a section of a city restricted to a particular type of building, enterprise or activity (see zoning).

The clearance area or distance between a building and the ends and sides of the property on which it rests, where construction is not allowed without a zoning variance (see setback).

The felt, paper and similar rolled sheeting used in construction (see paper, building).

built-up roof

Multi-layered roofing made with laminated felt and with a gravel surface usually used with flat roofs.

The description of a rounded corner of drywall.

A package consisting of two dozen standard shingles.

Curing or hardening bricks in a kiln.

A rigid, electrical conduit.

The bottom edge of shingle tabs.

A common hinge used for attaching doors to door-jambs.

The point where the edges of lumber or drywall meet.

Doors hinged in the middle requiring a smaller opening space (see bifold door).

Doors that slide by each other on tracks or rails (see bipass door).

The casing or cylinder used to sink shafts in unstable or wet placer ground (see pier).

Structural arches in metal members caused by pressure on a metal frame.

The intensity of light or luminescence expressed in candelas.

A projecting structure, such as a beam, supported at one end and carrying a load at the other end or along its length. It can also be a bracket or block supporting a balcony or a cornice or a beam that projects beyond a fulcrum and is supported by a balancing member or a downward force behind the fulcrum.

The top of a column, door cornice, or fireplace.

Sheet metal used to reinforce and weatherproof the joints and angles of a roof (see flashing).

The frames of wood or metal that partially or fully enclose a window unit or sash.

A framed window with hinges that operates like a door.

Molding installed around a door or window opening.

Concrete poured at the site where it is needed rather than precast elsewhere and transported to a site.

A flexible material used to close and seal gaps between two surfaces.

The trademark name for black fiberboard commonly used as exterior sheathing.

The framing used to support ceiling loads supported by large beams or bearing walls.

A building material made by grinding calcined (heated to a high temperature) limestone and clay to a fine powder that is mixed with water and poured to set as a solid mass or used in making mortar or concrete.

Interior wood trim installed horizontally about three feet above the floor on an interior wall, originally intended to protect walls from damage by the backs of chairs.

A line on a hard surface made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk against it.

A document that alters an element in a construction contract.

A framed space or channel created as a pass-through for a flue pipe or other object.

A narrow opening, such as a crack or fissure, in which fiberglass insulation around exterior doors, wall corners, gaps and window frames is installed.

A wood paneling product made of wood chips and glue and commonly used as a substitute for plywood (see wafer board).

A closed path followed by an electric current through a configuration of electrically connected components or devices.

An automatic switch located in a circuit breaker box that stops the flow of electric current in an overloaded electric circuit (see fuse).

The best or optimum fire rating issued by Underwriter's Laboratories for the fire safety of roofing materials.

The minimum fire rating issued by Underwriter's Laboratories for the fire safety of roofing materials.

An opening in a pipe with a threaded plug for access to a drain line for cleaning out blockage.

Sharp, metal wires that protrude from a concrete foundation wall and used to hold foundation form panels in place.

The ductwork part of a heating system that carries air back to the furnace for re-heating.

A flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roofing above the vent pipe opening (see vent sleeve).

Members that connect (and strengthen) opposing roof rafters.

A weight or load-bearing vertical structural member.

Duct work that supplies outside air to a furnace or water heater.

The portion of a truss system that connects and supports the bottom and top chords.

A mixture of cement, aggregate and water that hardens to a rocklike mass.

The declaration by a government agency that a building is unsafe or unfit for occupancy or the confiscation of private property for public use, with compensation to the affected property owner.

The outdoor component of a cooling system that includes a compressor and a condensing coil designed to give off heat.

An individually owned and occupied living unit within a building that contains multiple living units.

A pipe that contains and protects electrical wiring.

The legal document that specifies a wide variety of construction project details such as a contractor’s registration number, timetable, work quality statement, dispute clause, warranty, blueprints, specifications, price, materials and allowance information.

A short-term loan used to pay continuing construction costs as they occur.

An individual or a company licensed to perform certain types of construction activities. They include general contractors, remodeling and specialty (sewer, electrical, etc.) contractors and subcontractors to whom certain work is assigned by a general contractor.

Deep grooves made in concrete floors to "control" or limit the occurrence of cracks in the floor.

A multiunit residential building owned by a corporation, whose stockholders are the residents of the dwelling.

Woodwork cut to fit irregular surfaces (see scribing).

A preformed sheet metal strip placed on the outside of drywall corners before the drywall material is applied.

Used as trim for the external corners of sided, frame structures.

Braces placed diagonally at the corners of a frame wall for stability and strength.

The part of a pitched roof that hangs over an exterior wall, consisting of fascia board, trim molding and soffits.

corrosion - the natural erosion or deterioration of metal caused by exposure to weather, natural elements and the environment.

The sheet metal flashing installed on chimneys at the roofline to prevent rain or moisture from seeping into the building.

A section of a foundation wall connected perpendicularly to a longer section of foundation wall where each acts as reinforcement for the other.

A term that refers to horizontal rows of building materials or rows of shingles or roll roofing that runs the length of a roof surface.

Concave shaped wood molding used to finish inside corners of interior walls in buildings.

A low or narrow space, such as one beneath the floor of a house or building that gives workers access to plumbing, electrical or other utilities, and also allows a degree of airflow.

A random network of surface cracks on concrete surfaces caused by expansion because of moisture.

A roof built over a primary roof to change the slope or valley and improve drainage.

The short lumber member installed vertically in the frame above a door or window.

The diagonal bracing installed between floor joists to eliminate or reduce twisting.

A sewer or drain that crosses under a road or an embankment.

A small dome-like, vented structure on a roof that provides ventilation to the area enclosed by the roof.

A short elevation of an exterior wall above the roof deck.

A capped, cast iron pipe installed vertically into the ground for access to a home's water cut-off valve.

To prepare, preserve or finish a substance by a chemical or physical process, such as cement hardening properly after it is poured.

A lightweight, nonweight- or load-bearing wall.

Wood 2" x 4"s installed diagonally between wall studs for reinforcement.

The time required for a toilet tank to refill after it has been flushed.

An adjustable plate, as in a furnace flue, for controlling draft and other air movement.

To make impervious to or unaffected by water or coating, or treating with rubber, plastic or a sealing agent to prevent penetration by water (see waterproofing).

The nonmoving, fixed window section of a window unit.

Installation of plywood or wafer board attached to floor joists, trusses or rafters.

An electrical circuit serving only one appliance (i.e., dishwasher or electric range).

The act of splitting or separating a laminate into layers.

The evaporation or removal of water vapor from building material.

A horizontal ceiling or flooring structure that resists and transfers lateral force to a vertical weight- or load-bearing wall.

A high voltage ON-OFF switch.

The casing surrounding a door, consisting of two side jambs and a head jamb and including a doorstop.

The edge of a doorjamb against which a closed door rests.

The opening in a sloping roof where the projecting framing forms a wall for openings, typically windows.

Door or window glass made up of a sealed air space between two separate glass panes (see insulating glass).

A window with two separate sashes, each capable of vertical movement.

A pipe connected to gutters in a building that carries water away from the home.

A perforated, corrugated pipe installed at the bottom of a foundation wall to drain excess water away from the building foundation.

Lumber having one or more sides planed to a smooth surface.

A projection on a cornice or sill from which rainwater can drip, protecting the exterior wall below.

Flashing or molding installed above a door or window frame to shed water away from the exterior wall of a structure.

Granular grouting.

A prefabricated panel consisting of gypsum plaster enclosed by cardboard. Some versions are more water resistant for use in bathrooms or high moisture areas.

A mixture of powder and water similar to plaster used to cover joints or the heads of nails or screws in plasterboard (see joint cement).

A usually enclosed passage or channel for conveying a substance such as a liquid or gas. Commonly used to circulate air between a home's heating/cooling system and its living areas.

The characteristics of a material that enable it to be shaped, molded, drawn or hammered into a shape.

Any plumbing system that transports and removes water and sewer gases from a home.

A load (weight) capable of shifting, moving or changing.

A right afforded a person to make limited use of another's real property, such as a right of way or for placing utility, power or telephone lines or sewers.

The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.

The growth of salt crystals on a surface caused by the evaporation of salt-laden water.

A path or opening for exiting or going out of a building, usually a door or window.

A plumbing or electrical fitting that changes the direction of electrical or plumbing runs.

The area in a yard or on property where the electric service line is located.

Wires heated by electric current and commonly used in baseboard or electric water heaters.

The location where electric service enters a home or building, including the electric meter and circuit breaker or fuse panel.

Electrical installation work done by a contractor, such as wiring, outlets, switches and fixture boxes.

A term that refers to the last stage of electrical work, such as installing lights, plugs, appliance outlet boxes, ventilation fans, furnace wiring, and circuit breakers.

Blueprints, plans or scale drawings of the side, front or rear of a building or structure.

A condition in which all acting influences are cancelled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced or unchanging system.

An ornamental plate or grill that frames a hole around a floor or wall pipe.

A statement of the approximate cost of work to be done by a contractor, including labor, materials, allowances and other related costs.

The part of a home cooling system that absorbs heat from the air.

Leakage or seepage of moisture from material or a structure.

Material inserted in spaces around concrete slabs that allows some movement or shifting of the slab without causing damage to it or to adjacent property.

A concrete surface (such as a driveway) where the top layer of concrete and sand have eroded to reveal aggregate material.

Work that is more than or beyond what is usual, normal, expected or necessary, and is billed separately, since it was not part of the original estimate or bid.

A nail hammered into the vertical face of a load-bearing header wood beam.

A finish on the exposed surfaces of a concrete patio, porch or step.

Brick used in exterior walls that have a finished texture.

The horizontal board attached to rafter or truss ends at the eaves to which a building's gutters are attached.

The weakening or failure of a material, such as metal or wood, from repeated or prolonged stress.

A nonwoven fabric of matted compressed fibers placed on a roof surface for waterproofing over which shingles are attached.

The design and placement of windows in a building.

A metal ring or cap placed around a pole or shaft for reinforcement or a bushing used to secure a pipe joint.

The actual measurements for interior features of a home, such as cabinets or countertops, rather than taking them from blueprints.

Joining two shorter pieces of lumber or molding at their ends to create a longer piece, commonly used in door jambs and window casings.

Any solid object or sealed concealed space that prevents the spread of fire and smoke (see fire stop).

A refractory brick, usually made of fire clay, used to line furnaces, fireboxes, chimneys or fireplaces.

Sheet metal inserted horizontally around a fireplace flue pipe to reduce or eliminate the spread of fire and/or smoke.

The measure of resistance of materials to fire or heat, expressed in hours (see fire-resistive).

The measure of resistance of materials to fire or heat, expressed in hours (see fire rating).

Any solid object or sealed concealed space that prevents the spread of fire and smoke.

A fireproof wall used as a barrier to prevent the spread of fire.

A construction contract or agreement that specifies prices for hourly labor, overhead, materials and/or profit instead of specifically indicating a maximum project cost (see time and materials contract).

A large flat slab of stone used as paving material for walks, steps and floors.

An oil burner with an efficient nozzle design that holds a flame near the surface of the nozzle.

The broad flexible part of a toilet flush valve that permits the flow and storage of water into the tank during the flush cycle (see flush ball).

Sheet metal used to reinforce and weatherproof the joints and angles of a roof.

Horizontal concrete surfaces, such as basements, driveways, floors and walks.

A self-regulating device controlling the water level of a tank, cistern or toilet by a float connected to a valve that opens or closes with changes in water levels.

The mechanism that controls the flow of water into a gravity-operated toilet tank (see ball cock).

The final stage of concrete work where the surface is smoothed by a hand float to bring excess water to the surface.

A nonload-bearing wall constructed so that the bottom two floor plates move and shift when a concrete floor moves or shifts.

A pipe, tube or channel for conveying hot air, gas, steam or smoke, as from a furnace or fireplace to a chimney.

The metal ring surrounding a flue pipe at the point where the pipe passes through the roof.

The door installed inside a flue that closes automatically and reduces heat loss when the burner turns off.

Firebrick material surrounding a fireplace flue that prevents the escape of heat or fumes until properly vented out through a chimney.

The broad flexible part of a toilet flush valve that prevents the flow and storage of water into the tank during the flush cycle (see flapper).

A toilet flushing system with compressed water that provides a pressurized flush instead of a gravity flush.

The supporting base or groundwork of a structure, as for a wall.

A mold for the setting of concrete.

The base on which a thing stands or is supported, such as a concrete base for a structure. It may be a slab, crawl space or basement.

A substance similar to black tar used for moisture protection and applied to the below grade portions of exterior concrete and masonry walls (see foundation waterproofing).

Metal wire or mesh that keeps foundation wall panels and rebar in place during concrete pours.

A substance similar to black tar used for moisture protection and applied to the below-grade portions of exterior concrete and masonry walls (see foundation coating).

An inspection of a home construction project by a municipal or government entity to ensure that the construction complies with local building codes and requirements.

The carpentry contractor who builds the structural frame, such as the walls, floors and supports, and who is responsible for following construction blueprints and complying with local building codes.

Lumber used for the structural components of a building, such as beams, joists, studs and trusses.

A day where the temperature neither rises above nor falls below the freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

Small wood strips used in the preparation of a wall, ceiling or floor to provide a level substratum for plaster, flooring or another surface to create an air space.

An automatic switch located in a fuse box that stops the flow of electric current in an overloaded electric circuit (see circuit breaker).

An instrument that measures the structural condition of layers of pavement.

The generally triangular section of wall at the end of a pitched roof that occupies the space between the two slopes of a roof.

The condition where pressure causes extreme wear or abrasion between two touching surfaces.

A steel reinforcing plate nailed to both sides of the joint of a truss.

The installation of the gas service for a home, and the trench or area of the yard or property where the gas line is located.

A valve that stops or starts the flow of water or a liquid through a pipe.

The contractor who enters into a written agreement for a construction job or project and who is completely responsible for proper completion of it.

The large wood or steel beam that supports weight loads at one or more points of its span.

Glasswork or glass set or made to be set in frames. Also, the act or process of applying a glaze.

A valve that allows adjustment of water flow at many points between fully on and fully off.

A structural beam made from layers of glued wood laminates.

Abbreviation for "gallons per flush."

A term with several meanings, including ground level, any point of elevation, the quality of manufactured wood or the act of leveling dirt.

A foundation wall level with or just below grade, like the area that will be used for a garage door.

To level or smooth to a desired or horizontal gradient.

A toilet that uses the natural downward pressure of tank water for flushing waste.

The system of supports for a suspended ceiling or the decorative slats inserted between glass panels.

Subsurface water or water from an underground source.

A thin mortar used to fill cracks and crevices in masonry or a thin plaster used for finishing walls and ceilings.

A triangular metal bracket used to strengthen a joist.

A trough fixed under or along the eaves for draining rainwater from a roof, or a channel at the edge of a street or road for carrying off surface water.

A prefabricated panel consisting of gypsum plaster enclosed by cardboard. Some forms are more water resistant for use in bathrooms and high moisture areas (see drywall).

Plaster made from a mixture of gypsum, sand and water.

Abbreviation for heat, ventilation and air conditioning.

A small, rounded protrusion from a foundation wall used to support a concrete patio or porch.

A beam that crosses and supports the ends of joists, studs or rafters.

The brick, stone or cement floor of a fireplace, usually extending into a room.

A mechanical device that warms a building by transferring heat from a relatively low-temperature reservoir to one at a higher temperature.

The initial work of a heating contractor, such as installing flues, pipes and ducts.

The final or finish work of a heating contractor, such as installing grills, registers, thermostats, venting water heaters, and installing range hoods.

A notch cut from a rafter so that its end can be fitted against a wall and on top of a wall plate.

The external angle formed by the meeting of two adjacent sloping sides of a roof or a roof made up of four sloping sides.

The cable that carries electric current from the main circuit breaker box to the first electrical box, plug or switch in the circuit.

The condition of concrete riddled with holes or voids due to loss of mortar.

A sensor device that measures the width of concrete joints.

A water faucet located on an outside wall of a house or building (see sill cock).

The wire that carries electric current to an outlet, switch or appliance.

The term used to describe installing drywall.

Metal straps nailed into roof rafters and trusses to a top horizontal wall plate to increase building resistance to damaging winds (see teco).

The process by which cement loses water content and hardens.

A joist with an "I"-shaped cross section used for supporting floors.

The leakage of water or air into material or a structure.

The corner of a room where two interior walls meet to form an inside angle.

Undisturbed soil and in its original position.

Door or window glass made up of a sealed air space between two separate glass panes.

Sheets or boards made from cane fiber, coarse wood or other nonconducting material that prevents the passage of heat or sound into or out of the surrounding area.

In plumbing, a trap that collects material such as hair, grease or glass and metal chips that cannot be treated at a sewage treatment plant.

Condensation that forms within an element or a component of a building.

The casing that houses a door or window consisting of two side jambs, a head jamb and a doorstop for a door opening.

A place or part at which two or more construction members meet, are joined and are kept together in any number of ways.

A mixture of powder and water similar to plaster used to cover joints or the heads of nails or screws in plasterboard (see spackle).

The excavated trench in which installed telephone and electrical service lines are placed.

Any wood, steel or concrete beams set parallel from wall to wall or across or abutting girders to support a floor, roof or ceiling and supported by other beams, girders or load-bearing walls.

A "U"-shaped metal device that supports joists or connects the ends of joists.

A light fixture that turns on and off with a pull string, typically used in attics and basements.

A space or slot formed at the point on a footer or foundation wall where another wall is installed that strengthens the footer or foundation joint.

Any of a variety of ovens used for controlled drying of lumber or other materials.

The framing lumber at the sides of door or window openings that runs vertically between the bottom and top plates.

Multilayered shingles with a shakelike appearance that appear to be three-dimensional.

An intermediate platform on a flight of stairs or the area at the top or bottom of a staircase.

To place or lay something so as to overlap another or to lie partly over or on, as each shingle lapping the next one.

A fastening device, as for a door or gate, typically consisting of a bar that fits into a notch or slot and lifted from either side by a lever, a string or a spring-loaded handle or knob.

lateral

An underground trench containing wiring or pipes for utilities, such as gas, electricity or telephone.

A source of weight or a force that moves horizontally, such as wind.

A thin strip of wood or metal usually nailed in rows to framing supports as a substructure for plaster, stucco, shingles, slates or tiles.

An open framework made of strips of metal, wood or similar material overlapped or overlaid in a regular, usually crisscross, pattern.

Property or land in or on which soluble filtered (leached) sewage or other constituents are discharged, usually only in rural locations or settings.

Lumber bolted to a foundation wall as a support for a wood floor or a horizontal timber in a scaffold, attached to the uprights and supporting the putlogs (short pieces of lumber supporting the floor of a scaffold).

A strip of lumber nailed across the bottom side of a girder on which joists rest.

A tool used to determine true level or a reference to true horizontal.

A measure of lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long.

A horizontal structural member, such as a beam or a stone, as between the uprights of a door or window.

A moving variable weight added to the dead load or the intrinsic weight of a structure or a vehicle.

Any exterior or interior wall that supports part of the weight of a building or structure.

A cantilever or wood bracket that supports a roof overhang.

A framed opening, as in a door or a window, fitted with horizontal slats for admitting air and light and for shedding rain.

Timber sawed into boards, planks or other structural members of standard or specified length or other dimension.

Any beam, joist or truss formed by gluing and/or fastening smaller wood pieces together.

Building material consisting of stonework or brickwork used to form floors or walls and including brick, concrete, stone, tile or similar materials.

A pastelike cement used in highway construction made with powdered lime or brick and tar.

A thin sheet of natural or synthetic material making up a single, unbroken roof covering.

Woodwork, such as doors, window casings, paneling and baseboards, but not including flooring or siding, manufactured and ready-made by a lumber mill.

A joint made with two surfaces each beveled at a 45-degree angle to form a corner with a 90-degree angle.

Ornamentation in strip form made of wood or other structural material and used to decorate or finish a surface, such as the surface of a door.

A massive, solid and uniform continuous pour of concrete containing no joints.

An adjustable metal column that supports beams or points where structural loads are concentrated (see jack post).

Any of various bonding materials used in masonry, surfacing and plastering, usually consisting of a mixture of cement or lime, sand and water to bind together bricks or stones.

A usually rectangular opening or cavity in wood, stone or other materials, prepared to receive a tenon for the purpose of forming a joint.

The horizontal lumber at the bottom of an exterior wall frame that lies directly on top of the foundation (see sill plate).

A vertical member, as of stone or wood, dividing a window or other opening.

A strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window. Also, a vertical framing member set between two rails in a door or in paneling.

The undesirable spreading of the top of a concrete caisson where its width exceeds the width of the foundation wall.

A trademark used for a thin, strong polyester film.

The situation where nail heads appear on the surface of drywall because the nails have loosened over time.

The uniform national standard on proper and safe electrical wiring methods.

Typically, the white wire that carries electric current away from an outlet, switch or appliance and then back to the circuit breaker box.

A post that supports the handrail at the bottom or at the landing of a staircase or a vertical support at the center of a circular staircase.

A wall that supports only its own weight.

The horizontally projecting edge of a stair tread, a shield covering this edge or the projecting edge of a molding.

A crosscut groove at the end of a board.

The component of a heating system that sprays fuel or a fuel mixture into the combustion chamber.

A wood paneling product made of wood chips and glue and commonly used as a substitute for plywood (see chipboard or wafer board).

Loose hemp or jute fiber, sometimes treated with tar, creosote or asphalt, used for caulking seams in wooden ships, other wide seams, and packing pipe joints.

The formal inspection of an excavation site and the evaluation of its soil to determine the proper type of foundation to install.

A pipe placed vertically into the ground to locate and measure the water table.

A receptacle connected to a power supply and equipped with a socket for a plug.

The name for any rafter that extends beyond a wall to form a cornice or an overhang.

The outside point formed at the junction of two exterior walls.

A vertical tube that is a component of the flush valve that releases excess water inside a toilet tank if the ball cock malfunctions.

The portion of the roof that projects over the outside wall of a building or structure.

A soft material underlying carpet that increases the carpet’s life span, increases its comfort and reduces sound.

Adding wood strips to a wall or ceiling to correct its finished appearance (see pack out).

A portable platform made of wood or other materials for storing or moving cargo or freight.

A metal form used to create cavities in cast-in-place concrete pourings.

A thin flat piece of (typically) wood, framed and used as a decorative wall treatment.

The felt, paper and similar rolled sheeting used in construction (see building paper).

A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof, which keeps persons from falling off the roof, and can restrict the spread of fire.

A structural material made of wood fragments that are mechanically pressed into sheet form and bonded together with resin.

A wood piece separating the upper and lower sashes of a double-hung window.

Something that divides or separates, as a wall dividing one room or cubicle from another.

Masonry or similar material laid out to form a firm, even surface.

A contractually arranged schedule of payments that usually includes a deposit and subsequent payments and usually depends on the percentage or phase of work completed.

A metal box usually located along utility easements that contains electrical, telephone or cable television switches and connectors.

A provision in a contract that calls for payment deductions that penalize a contractor who misses deadlines or doesn't meet job specifications.

A reference to the length of a nail and abbreviated as "d," such as 16d. The lower the number, the larger the nail.

An engineering test to determine if land or ground is suitable for septic system use.

A larger diameter, perforated plastic pipe installed around building foundations to drain water away from it.

The rate of flow of a liquid or gas through a porous material.

A written document or permission such as a license or warrant, giving permission to do something, usually issued by a government entity for construction or contracting work.

The electrical cord on certain appliances.

The casing or cylinder used to sink shafts in unstable or wet placer ground (see caisson).

A small, continuous flame in a furnace or water heater that ignites gas or oil burners on a schedule or based on temperature or other settings.

The amount or degree of deviation from the horizontal (see slope).

The primary hot air duct leading from a furnace.

An overhead view diagram of a house or building on its lot, including the legal description and locations of easements, property lines and setbacks.

A lengthwise groove cut in a board, plank or rail.

A weight on the end of a line used to establish true and exact vertical or perpendicular.

The weight attached to the end of a plumb line.

Metal saddles installed to reinforce a bearing wall or stud(s) previously cut to install plumbing drain lines.

Water drains and wastewater disposal lines installed under a basement floor.

The initial plumbing contractor work at a jobsite, such as installing gas pipes to furnaces, drains and water supply lines, wastewater disposal lines and tubs.

A pipe that vents fumes from plumbing lines up and out through a roof.

The final plumbing contractor work at a jobsite, such as installation of garbage disposals, dishwashers, sinks, toilets and water heaters.

The plastic drainpipe that collects and drains away household wastewater.

One of the sheets or thicknesses of wood glued together to form plywood.

A structural material made of layers of wood glued together with the grain of adjoining layers at right angles to each other.

The point where the weight of a structure is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

A type of construction where the ceiling and floor structural support is provided by large wood members or vertical logs.

The accumulation of water on a roof, highway or other surface.

A hydraulic cement made by heating a limestone and clay mixture in a kiln and pulverizing the resulting material into a powder.

A simple building method where the structure is placed on top of large posts and beams.

Water that is safe and fit to drink.

A valve installed on boilers, water heaters and other pressure vessels that releases the pressurized material when the pressure in the object or vessel exceeds a preset level.

An inspection or examination to determine the boundaries, area or elevations of land or structures on the surface of the earth.

A "P"-shaped section of drainpipe with a water seal that prevents sewer gasses from backing up and seeping through a water drain.

A concrete mixture with smaller aggregate material specifically formulated for use in a concrete pump.

A list of items or errors needing to be corrected to comply with a contract.

A jobsite inspection where errors or discrepancies needing correction are collected on a punch list.

A doughlike cement made by mixing whiting and linseed oil and used to fill holes in woodwork and to secure panes of glass in their frames.

A type of durable, rigid plastic pipe suitable for draining wastewater.

A trim molding with a quarter circle cross section usually attached to baseboards at floor level.

The joint made of boards with rabbet cuts.

One of the sloping beams that supports a pitched roof.

A rafter that forms the intersection of an exterior angle of a roof.

A rafter that forms the intersection of an inside angle of a roof.

A bar extending horizontally between supports, as in a fence or a structure made of such bars and supports and forming a barrier or guard, such as a railing.

The vertical face of a sloping roof eave.

An abbreviation for "reinforcing bar" made of steel and used in a variety of concrete applications, such as foundations, walls, floors and stairs to give additional strength.

A fitting connected to a power supply and equipped to receive a plug.

In plumbing, a fitting with different size openings at either end used to join pipes with different diameters.

An adjustable grill-like device through which heated or cooled air is released into a room.

Work done to restore property to good condition, operation or capacity.

A valve installed on boilers, water heaters and other pressure vessels that releases the pressurized material when the pressure in the object or vessel exceeds a preset level (see pressure relief valve).

A wall built to support or prevent the advance of a mass of earth or water, or to reduce or eliminate erosion.

ridge board
The horizontal beam at the edge of a roof to which the rafters are attached.

The shingles at the uppermost part of a roof that cover the ridge board.

The joist surrounding the perimeter of a home's floor joists.

The height of a flight of stairs or of a single riser or the vertical distance of the eave line of a roof to its ridge.

The vertical part of a stair step.

The exterior vertical pipe (riser) and circuit breaker box (panel) installed by electrical contractors during the rough electric construction phase of a job or project.

The aggregate mixture of sand and stone forming the foundation for the surface of a road.

The correct positioning and installation of floor joists or trusses.

Any of several forms of rolled roofing material that are unrolled and installed on roofs, instead of using shingles.

A brand name of sheathing used to cover electrical cable.

The framing used to support ceiling loads supported by large beams or bearing walls (see ceiling joist).

Panels or sheets fastened to roof rafters that are then overlaid with shingles or other roofing material.

The "V-shape" or notch where two sloping roofs meet or intersect.

The covered access opening to a roof.

A support for stair treads consisting of a wide plank notched to accept the treads (see stair carriage).

The unfinished door and window openings in a building or structure before drywall or siding is installed.

The wood piece along the bottom of the rough opening for a window.

The distance from a finished wall or a point on a floor to the center of a door or window opening, or the mounting holes for a plumbing fixture.

In plumbing, the valve body installed inside a wall.

The initial or beginning stages of any contractor's work.

The horizontal distance from the eaves of a building to a point directly under the ridge.

The distance of a stair tread from its nose to the riser of the next stair tread.

The measure of insulation resistance to the passage of heat.

A small secondary or auxiliary roof built behind a chimney to prevent water leakage or seepage.

A mixture of water, lime and sand that produces a textured wall finish.

A specialized sewer system for collecting and disposing of household wastewater only.

sash
A frame in which window or door panes are set.

sash balance
The device that holds a single hung window sash in place when the window is open.

The listing, descriptions, sizes and locations of the doors and windows of a house on its blueprints.

The term for removing debris from a building after drywall has been installed in it.

The first coat of plaster that has been etched or scratched so that the second coat will adhere better.

A smooth final surface of concrete applied to a floor.

A strip of wood, metal or plaster placed on a wall as a guide for the even application of plaster.

Woodwork cut to fit irregular surfaces (see coped joint).

The covered access opening to a roof (see roof hatch).

To cure, treat or dry green lumber to remove moisture until ready for use.

Methods of strengthening a structure to make it more resistant to earthquake damage.

A sink or tub mounted on top of a counter or platform.

Roofing shingles with adhesive strips that form a seal after installation.

A wastewater and sewage-disposal system in which a continuous flow of waste material is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria in a septic tank and then dispensed into a drain field buried in the ground.

An underground utility supply line.

The clearance, area or distance between a building and the ends and sides of its property on which it rests, in which construction is not allowed without a zoning variance.

The pump usually found in basements or other locations below sewer level that raises wastewater to a gravity sanitary sewer line for disposal.

The part of a sanitary sewer system that connects the waste drainage pipe of a house or building to the main sewer line.

The coupling point where the sewer line of a building is connected to the municipal sewer system.

The physical connection point where the sewer line of a building is joined to a municipal sewer line.

A building component constructed of plywood, metal connectors and a wood frame that is installed around window and door openings anywhere requiring increased lateral resistance, such as with an earthquake.

Plywood nailed to the ends of the short wall studs above wall openings to prevent lateral movement.

Terms that refer to any structural wood panel that covers joists, rafters, studs or trusses.

sheet metal work
Any product made of sheet metal, such as ductwork, flashing, gutters and downspouts, used in a building or other construction project.

Enclosed metal passages or channels of various sizes and shapes used to distribute warm air from a furnace or heating system or cold air from an air conditioning or cooling system in a house or building.

A prefabricated panel consisting of gypsum plaster enclosed by cardboard (see drywall).

A thin, often tapered piece of material such as wood, stone or metal, used to fill gaps, make something level or adjust something to fit properly.

A thin, oblong piece of material such as wood, asphalt, slate or tile, laid in overlapping rows to cover the roof or sides of a house or other building.

A low-resistance connection between two points in an electric circuit, causing the current to bypass the rest of the circuit, and often resulting in excess current flow.

The part of a sanitary sewer system that connects the waste water line of a building to the main sewer line.

Material, such as boards, used for surfacing the outside walls of a wood frame building.

A water faucet located on an outside wall of a house or building (see hose bib).

sill plate
The horizontal lumber at the bottom of an exterior wall frame that lies directly on top of the foundation.

A window and casement with only one sash that moves vertically.

A broad, flat and thick piece of concrete, such as in driveways, garages and basement floors.

A broad, flat and thick type of foundation with a concrete floor installed directly on the ground. The edge of the slab is usually thicker and acts as a footing for exterior walls.

sleeper
A horizontal structural member on or near the ground that supports weight.

A pipe, duct, passage or channel installed under driveways or walks and used for running electrical wires for exterior lighting, or plumbing for in-ground lawn sprinklers.

The amount or degree of deviation from horizontal (see pitch).

The measure of the wetness of a concrete mixture.

The underside of an architectural element, such as a cantilever, arch, staircase, cornice, eave or overhang.

Metal shafts sunk into soil in order to increase its stability.

A large wastewater pipe that removes waste to a sewer or septic tank.

A plumbing vent pipe that penetrates the roof and is used to vent gases.

An investigation of the soil at a site, including boring exploration holes and testing the soil to determine its characteristics.

The horizontal lumber making up the bottom side of an interior wall frame.

Wood members installed between floor joists and rafters, near their centers, to prevent joists or rafters from twisting.

A mixture of powder and water similar to plaster used to cover joints or the heads of nails or screws in plasterboard (see joint cement).

A chip, fragment or flake from a piece of stone usually caused by a blow, pressure or the weather.

The extent or measure of space between two points or extremities, such as the distance that a framing member carries a load between structural supports or the horizontal distance between eaves.

A detailed exact statement of particulars or a statement prescribing materials, dimensions and quality of work for something to be built, installed or manufactured and which supplements blueprint information.

A channel made of any material placed under an exterior faucet or downspout to divert rainwater away from the building.

A term that can refer to a unit of measure, such as 100 square feet of roofing or siding material, the situation of two elements at right angles to each other, or to tools for determining if a joint is "square."

Fine pea gravel used to grade a floor before concrete is poured.

A term that refers to the correct positioning of trusses on top of exterior walls.

A support for stair treads consisting of a wide plank notched to accept the treads (see rough horse).

The vertical distance or space between stair treads.

standard practices of the trade(s)
A term that refers to any common and generally understood minimum construction standard that any construction professional should be able to perform.

The asphalt roofing installed at the eaves of the building that provides protection by filling in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first row of roof shingles.

Loads that do not change or have motion but are fixed or stationary.

A vent not equipped with a fan.

A municipal and/or engineering inspection of a concrete foundation wall made before concrete is poured to verify that reinforcing bar, window bucks and other required elements are installed and comply with the foundation plan.

A house or building completely built and erected on the jobsite without any prefabricated elements, sometimes known as a conventional building.

Inserting new bricks in place of or to replace existing damaged bricks.

A cast iron pipe with a lid placed vertically into the ground near the water tap cut-off valve of a building.

A term for the molding along the inner edges of a door or window frame or to a water fixture shut-off valve.

A device installed in a water supply line near a fixture that allows the water to be shut off to that fixture without shutting off water to the rest of the building.

A secondary window attached over the usual window to protect against wind and cold temperatures.

The plate on the frame of a door that engages a latch or a dead bolt.

A long, heavy, horizontal timber used as a support or connector, or a horizontal timber supporting upright posts.

Wood flooring made of narrow, matching strips.

A framed wood floor installed as the basement floor instead of concrete because of soil expansion issues and considerations.

A durable finish for exterior walls usually composed of cement, sand and lime and applied while wet.

An upright post in the framework of a wall for supporting sheets of lath, wallboard or similar material.

A building technique that distributes structural loads evenly to a series of studs.

A metal bracket that reinforces a vertical stud commonly installed on exterior bearing walls having been cut to accommodate plumbing.

A rough floor over which a finished floor, flooring material or carpet is laid.

The process and requirements involved in making submittals or requirements during a project, including certificates, drawings, tests and reports.

A hole at the lowest point of a house or building into which water drains to be subsequently pumped out.

A pump located in a sump pit that removes water from a sump.

An interior ceiling system supported by hanging or suspending it from the overhead structural framing of the building or structure.

Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally between the wall plates to prevent it from twisting or collapsing (see wind bracing).

A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

A projection, flap or short strip attached to an object to facilitate opening, handling or identification, as in the exposed portion of shingles defined by cutouts.

A piece forming an end and tailed into a wall or a short beam or joist supported between a wall and a header.

A term used to refer to any materials or supplies needed to finish a construction job.

The act of covering drywall joints with paper tape and joint compound.

A flat metal "T-shaped" bar with bottoms driven into the earth and used as fence post supports.

Metal clips nailed into roof rafters and trusses to a top horizontal wall plate to increase building resistance to damaging winds (see hurricane clip).

Glass that has been heat-treated to increase its strength.

A sheet of galvanized metal installed on the outside of a foundation wall or around outside pipes to prevent access to the premises by termites.

A hard, semi-fired, waterproof ceramic clay with a textured or sculpted surface used in building construction.

A device, as in a home heating system, that automatically responds to temperature changes and activates switches controlling the equipment.

An adjustable piece of wood, metal or stone in the frame beneath a door; a doorsill.

A construction contract or agreement that specifies prices for hourly labor, overhead, materials and/or profit instead of specifically indicating a maximum project cost.

A nickname for a heating contractor.

To drive a nail obliquely or at a slant to join and secure vertical and horizontal beams and joists.

A joint made by fitting a tongue on the edge of a board into a matching groove on another board (see T&G).

The upper or top member of a truss.

The uppermost horizontal member of a frame wall that supports ceiling joists, rafters or other construction parts.

A device for sealing a passage against the escape of gases by a bend in a drainpipe that prevents the return flow of sewer gas by means of a water barrier.

The upper horizontal part of a step in a staircase.

The exterior ornamentation on a building or the last work done by contractors to finish a project.

The finishing materials in a building, such as moldings and trim applied around door and window openings or baseboards, cornices and moldings on floors and ceilings, as well as other finishing features.

A rigid framework, usually of wood or metal beams or bars, designed to support a structure, such as a roof.

The curved, "U-shaped" section of a bathtub drainpipe that holds a water seal to prevent sewer gases from entering the home through the tub water drain.

The term used to describe a job or project where the contractor provides all the materials and labor.

The common name for any very low water consumption flush toilet.

A modern look method of mounting a sink or tub under a counter top or platform.

The plumbing, drains and waste lines beneath a basement floor or below the surface of the earth.

underlayment

The 1/4" material between the subfloor and the finished floor that creates a smooth, even surface. Also, a secondary water-resistant layer of roofing between a roofing deck and shingles.

Any evenly distributed load.

A plumbing coupling device that connects pipes end to end.

An upright plumbing fixture that eliminates liquid body wastewater by means of a gravity drainage system.

A right,given to a utility to make limited use of the real property of another to repair or service utility lines on that property, such as a right of way.

The reinforcing and weatherproofing sheet metal installed at the bottom of a valley.

Plastic or similar sheeting material installed on exterior walls and ceilings under drywall and on the warm side of insulation to reduce or prevent condensation.

A thin surface layer, such as wood, glued to a base of inferior material. Any of the thin layers glued together to make plywood.

A pipe, duct or opening permitting the escape of fumes, liquids, gas or steam. Also, a term for the moving glass part (vent) of a window sash.

A flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roofing above the vent pipe opening (see collar).

Any of a group of micaceous hydrated silicate minerals related to chlorites and used in heat-expanded form as insulation.

A form of plastic sheeting of varying thicknesses.

A fire-treated ceramic material resembling or having the nature of glass used in making certain kinds of plumbing fixtures.

Cardboard rectangular boxes installed between the earth and the concrete foundation wall between caissons when expansive soils are present.

A concrete slab containing ribs that form a waffle (grid) pattern.

A decorative or protective facing or paneling, usually of wood, applied to the inside walls of a room.

The final home inspection, intended to identify and document problems needing correction, and performed before closing a loan.

A prefabricated panel consisting of gypsum plaster enclosed by cardboard (see drywall).

A plastic plumbing pipe that removes and transports wastewater to a municipal sewage system.

A usually blue or green water-resistant drywall used in bathtub and shower area applications.

Another name for a toilet.

The box or cast iron bonnet and concrete rings that house a water meter.

To make impervious to or unaffected by water, or coating or treating with rubber, plastic or a sealing agent to prevent penetration by water (see damp proofing).

Any toilet that uses between 1.6 and 3.5 gallons of water per flush.

The point where the water line of a house or building connects to the main water line of a municipal water system.

The abbreviation for water closet (toilet).

Any chemical or mechanical process by which materials exposed to the weather undergo changes in character and break down, erode or degrade. Also a term for the use of a slope to shed rainwater.

To protect a structure against cold or hot weather in order to reduce energy consumption by adding insulation, installing storm windows and doors, caulking cracks, and applying weather stripping.

A narrow piece of material installed around doors and windows to protect the interior from external extremes of temperature, such as plastic, rubber, felt or metal.

The small holes in storm window frames that allow moisture or water to escape.

A fan designed to move air through and out of a home, normally installed in the ceiling.

Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally between the wall plates to prevent them from twisting or collapsing (see sway brace).

A square or rectangular box installed in a concrete foundation or block wall in which a window will be installed at the appropriate point in construction.

The stationary part of a window unit in which the window sash is placed.

The operating or movable part of a window, consisting of window panes, their supports and the frame.

A galvanized metal or concrete wall surrounding a basement window to hold back and restrain soil movement.

A plastic device used to connect bare wires together.

The trademark name for panels made from concrete and fiberglass normally used in bathtub and shower area applications.

Structures made of lumber, shingles and wood or stucco siding nailed or bolted together.

Joints in exterior walls that allow for limited expansion or contraction without losing structural integrity.

The damage to a structural member by an external cause that forces it to go out of plumb.

Areas such as bifold, "pocket" or bipass doorway openings that get complete drywall coverage.

A small furrow, ridge or crease on a normally smooth surface, such as a roof, caused by crumpling, folding or shrinking.

No entries

One cubic yard (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet volume) of concrete that forms 80 square feet of standard depth basement or garage flooring or sidewalk.

Material permanently deformed due to being pressured, stressed or forced beyond its elastic limit.

The area where a water meter is installed between two copper pipes in a pit.

A section of a building that requires service by a separate heating and cooling loop because of its distinct features, characteristics or location within the building.

A device placed near a heating or cooling unit, and regulated by a zone thermostat, which controls the flow of water or steam into the building.

Sectioning of areas or territories for a specific purpose, such as a section of a city restricted to a particular type of building, enterprise or activity.