Construction Terms Beginning With Letter I

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 bear down on the opening.

I-joist- Manufactured structural building component resembling the letter “I”. Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two key parts: flangesand webs. The flangeof the I joist may be made of laminated veneer lumber or dimensional lumber, usually formed into a 1 ½” width. The web or center of the I-joist is commonly made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Large holes can be cut in the web to accommodate duct work and plumbing waste lines. I-joists are available in lengths up to 60 feet long.

Incandescent lamp- A lamp employing an electrically charged metal filament that glows at white heat. A typical light bulb.

Infiltration- The passage of air from indoors to outdoors and vice versa; term is usually associated with drafts from cracks, seams or holes in buildings.

Inside corner- The point at which two walls form an internal angle, as in the corner of a room.

Insulating glass- Window or door in which two panes of glass are used with a sealed air space between. Also known as Double glass.

Insulation board, rigid- A structural building board made of coarse wood or cane fiber in ½- and 25/32-inch thickness. It can be obtained in various size sheets and densities.

Insulation- Any material high in resistance to heat transmission that, when placed in the walls, ceiling, or floors of a structure, and will reduce the rate of heat flow.

Interior finish- Material used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings.

Irrigation- Lawn sprinkler system.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter J

J Channel- Metal edging used on drywall to give the edge a better finished appearance when a wall is not “wrapped” Generally, basement stairway walls have drywall only on the stair side. J Channel is used on the vertical edge of the last drywall sheet.

Jack post- A type of structural support made of metal, which can be raised or lowered through a series of pins and a screw to meet the height required. Basically used as a replacement for an old supporting member in a building.

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. Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.

Joint- The location between the touching surfaces of two members or components joined and held together by nails, glue, cement, mortar, or other means.

Joint cement or Joint compound- A powder that is usually mixed with water and used for joint treatment in gypsum-wallboard finish. Often called “spackle” or drywall mud.

Joint trench- When the electric company and telephone company dig one trench and “drop” both of their service lines in.

Joist- Wooden 2 X 8′s, 10′s, or 12′s that run parallel to one another and support a floor or ceiling, and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls.

Joist hanger- A metal “U” shaped item used to support the end of a floor joist and attached with hardened nails to another bearing joist or beam.

Jumpers- Water pipe installed in a water meter pit (before the water meter is installed), or electric wire that is installed in the electric house panel meter socket before the meter is installed. This is sometimes illegal.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter K

Keeper- The metal latch plate in a door frame into which a doorknob plunger latches.

Keyless- A plastic or porcelain light fixture that operates by a pull string. Generally found in the basement, crawl space , and attic areas.

Keyway- A slot formed and poured on a footer or in a foundation wall when another wall will be installed at the slot location. This gives additional strength to the joint/meeting point.

Kilowatt (kw)- One thousand watts. A kilowatt hour is the base unit used in measuring electrical consumption.

King stud- The vertical “2 X’s” frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.

Knot- In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter L

Laminated shingles – Shingles that have added dimensionality because of extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance. May also be called “architectural shingles” or “three-dimensional shingles.”

Laminating- Bonding together two or more layers of materials.

Landing- A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction. Normally no less than 3 ft. X 3 ft. square.

Lap- To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.

Latch- A beveled metal tongue operated by a spring-loaded knob or lever. The tongue’s bevel lets you close the door and engage the locking mechanism, if any, without using a key. Contrasts with dead bolt.

Lateral (electric, gas, telephone, sewer and water)- The underground trench and related services (i.e., electric, gas, telephone, sewer and water lines) that will be buried within the trench.

Lath- A building material of narrow wood, metal, gypsum, or insulating board that is fastened to the frame of a building to act as a base for plaster, shingles, or tiles.

Lattice- An open framework of crisscrossed wood or metal strips that form regular, patterned spaces.

Ledger (for a Structural Floor)- The wooden perimeter frame lumber member that bolts onto the face of a foundation wall and supports the wood structural floor.

Ledger strip- A strip of lumber nailed along the bottom of the side of a girder on which joists rest.

Leech field- A method used to treat/dispose of sewage in rural areas not accessible to a municipal sewer system. Sewage is permitted to be filtered and eventually discharged into a section of the lot called a leech field.

Let-in brace- Nominal 1 inch-thick boards applied into notched studs diagonally. Also, an “L” shaped, long (@ 10′) metal strap that are installed by the framer at the rough stage to give support to an exterior wall or wall corner.

Level-True horizontal. Also a tool used to determine level.

Light- Space in a window sash for a single pane of glass. Also, a pane of glass.

Limit switch- A safety control that automatically shuts off a furnace if it gets too hot. Most also control blower cycles.

Lineal foot- A unit of measure for lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long. Examples: 1″ x 12″ x 16′ = 16 board feet, 2″ x 12″ x 16′ = 32 board feet.

Lintel- A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.

Load bearing wall- Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder. Normally, any wall that has a double horizontal top plate.

Lookout- A short wood bracket or cantilever that supports an overhang portion of a roof.

Louver- A vented opening into the home that has a series of horizontal slats and arranged to permit ventilation but to exclude rain, snow, light, insects, or other living creatures.

Lumens- Unit of measure for total light output. The amount of light falling on a surface of one square foot.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter M

Male- Any part, such as a bolt, designed to fit into another (female) part. External threads are male.

Mantel- The shelf above a fireplace opening. Also used in referring to the decorative trim around a fireplace opening.

Manufactured wood- A wood product such as a truss, beam, gluelam, microlam or joist which is manufactured out of smaller wood pieces and glued or mechanically fastened to form a larger piece. Often used to create a stronger member which may use less wood.

Manufacturer’s specifications- The written installation and/or maintenance instructions which are developed by the manufacturer of a product and which may have to be followed in order to maintain the product warrantee.

Masonry- Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other similar building units or materials. Normally bonded together with mortar to form a wall.

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 to form openings within the lath. Used as a plaster base for walls and ceilings and as reinforcing over other forms of plaster base.

Microlam- A manufactured structural wood beam. It is constructed of pressure and adhesive bonded wood strands of wood. They have a higher strength rating than solid sawn lumber. Normally comes in l ½” thickness’ and 9 ½”, 11 ½” and 14″ widths.

Millar (mylar)- Plastic, transparent copies of a blueprint.

Millwork- Generally all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants. Includes all doors, window and door frames, blinds, mantels, panel work, stairway components (balusters, rail, etc.), moldings, and interior trim. 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 45° angle.

Molding- A wood strip having an engraved, decorative surface.

Monopost- Adjustable metal column used to support a beam or bearing point.

Mortar- A mixture of cement (or lime) with sand and water used in masonry work.

Mortise- A slot cut into a board, plank, or timber, usually edgewise, to receive the tenon (or tongue) of another board, plank, or timber to form a joint.

Mudsill- Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called sill plate. Also sole plate, bottom member of interior wall frame.

Mullion- A vertical divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings.

Muntin- A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors.

Muriatic acid- Commonly used as a brick cleaner after masonry work is completed.

Mushroom- The unacceptable occurrence when the top of a caisson concrete pier spreads out and hardens to become wider than the foundation wall thickness.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter N

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.

Neutral wire- Usually color-coded white, this carries electricity from an outlet back to the service panel. Also see hot wire and ground.

Newel post- The large starting post to which the end of a stair guard 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 or the front edge of a stair tread.

Notch- A crosswise groove at the end of a board.

Nozzle- The part of a heating system that sprays the fuel of fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter O

O C- On Center- The measurement of spacing for studs, rafters, and joists in a building from the center of one member to the center of the next.

Oakum- Loose hemp or jute fiber that’s impregnated with tar or pitch and used to caulk large seams or for packing plumbing pipe joints.

Oriented Strand Board or OSB- A manufactured 4′ X 8′ wood panel made out of 1″- 2″ wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood.

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.

Outside corner- The point at which two walls form an external angle, one you usually can walk around.

Overhang- Outward projecting eave-soffit area of a roof; the part of the roof that hangs out or over the outside wall.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter P

Padding- A material installed under carpet to add foot comfort, isolate sound, and to prolong carpet life.

Pad out, pack out- To shim out or add strips of wood to a wall or ceiling in order that the finished ceiling/wall will appear correct.

Paint- A combination of pigments with suitable thinners or oils to provide decorative and protective coatings. Can be oil based or latex water based.

Pallets- Wooden platforms used for storing and shipping material. Forklifts and hand trucks are used to move these wooden platforms around.

Panel- A thin flat piece of wood, plywood, or similar material, framed by stiles and rails as in a door (or cabinet door), or fitted into grooves of thicker material with molded edges for decorative wall treatment.

Parapet- A wall placed at the edge of a roof to prevent people from falling off.

Parting stop or strip- A small wood piece used in the side and head jambs of double hung windows to separate the upper sash from the lower sash.

Particle board- Plywood substitute made of course sawdust that is mixed with resin and pressed into sheets. Used for closet shelving, floor underlayment, stair treads, etc.

Partition- A wall that subdivides spaces within any story of a building or room.

Paver, paving- Materials—commonly masonry—laid down to make a firm, even surface.

Payment schedule- A pre-agreed upon schedule of payments to a contractor usually based upon the amount of work completed. Such a schedule may include a deposit prior to the start of work. There may also be a temporary ‘retainer’ (5-10% of the total cost of the job) at the end of the contract for correcting any small items which have not been completed or repaired.

Pedestal- A metal box installed at various locations along utility easements that contain electrical, telephone, or cable television switches and connections.

Penalty clause – A provision in a contract that provides for a reduction in the amount otherwise payable under a contract to a contractor as a penalty for failure to meet deadlines or for failure of the project to meet contract specifications.

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“. Normally, 16d (16 “penny”) nails are used for framing.

Percolation test or perc. test- Tests that a soil engineer performs on earth to determine the feasibility of installing a leech field type sewer system on a lot. A test to determine if the soil on a proposed building lot is capable of absorbing the liquid affluent from a septic system.

Performance bond- An amount of money (usually 10% of the total price of a job) that a contractor must put on deposit with a governmental agency as an insurance policy that guarantees the contractors’ proper and timely completion of a project or job.

Perimeter drain- 3″ or 4″ perforated plastic pipe that goes around the perimeter (either inside or outside) of a foundation wall (before backfill) and collects and diverts ground water away from the foundation. Generally, it is “day lighted” into a sump pit inside the home, and a sump pump is sometimes inserted into the pit to discharge any accumulation of water.

Permeability- A measure of the ease with which water penetrates a material.

Permit – A governmental municipal authorization to perform a building process as in:

Zoning\Use permit – Authorization to use a property for a specific use e.g. a garage, a single family residence etc.

Demolition permit – Authorization to tear down and remove an existing structure.

Grading permit – Authorization to change the contour of the land.

Septic permit – A health department authorization to build or modify a septic system.

Building permit – Authorization to build or modify a structure.

Electrical permit – A separate permit required for most electrical work.

Plumbing permit – A separate permit required for new plumbing and larger modifications of existing plumbing systems.

Pigtails, electrical- The electric cord that the electrician provides and installs on an appliance such as a garbage disposal, dishwasher, or range hood.

Pier- A column of masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross section, used to support other structural members.

Pigment- A powdered solid used in paint or enamel to give it a color.

Pilot hole- A small-diameter, pre-drilled hole that guides a nail or screw.

Pilot light- A small, continuous flame (in a hot water heater, boiler, or furnace) that ignites gas or oil burners when needed.

Pitch- The incline slope of a roof or the ratio of the total rise to the total width of a house, i.e., a 6-foot rise and 24-foot width is a one-fourth pitch roof. Roof slope is expressed in the inches of rise, per foot of horizontal run.

Plan view- Drawing of a structure with the view from overhead, looking down.

Plate- Normally a 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 that lays horizontally within a framed structure, such as:

· Sill plate- A horizontal member anchored to a concrete or 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.

Plenum- The main hot-air supply duct leading from a furnace.

Plot plan- An overhead view plan that shows the location of the home on the lot. Includes all easements, property lines, setbacks, and legal descriptions of the home. Provided by the surveyor.

Plough, plow- To cut a lengthwise groove in a board or plank. An exterior handrail normally has a ploughed groove for hand gripping purposes.

Plumb- Exactly vertical and perpendicular.

Plumb bob- A lead weight attached to a string. It is the tool used in determining plumb.

Plumbing boots- Metal saddles used to strengthen a bearing wall/vertical stud(s) where a plumbing drain line has been cut through and installed.

Plumbing ground- The plumbing drain and waste lines that are installed beneath a basement floor.

Plumbing jacks- Sleeves that fit around drain and waste vent pipes at, and are nailed to, the roof sheeting.

Plumbing rough- Work performed by the plumbing contractor after the Rough Heat is installed. This work includes installing all plastic ABS drain and waste lines, copper water lines, bath tubs, shower pans, and gas piping to furnaces and fireplaces. Lead solder should not be used on copper piping.

Plumbing stack- A plumbing vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Plumbing trim- Work performed by the plumbing contractor to get the home ready for a final plumbing inspection. Includes installing all toilets (water closets), hot water heaters, sinks, connecting all gas pipe to appliances, disposal, dishwasher, and all plumbing items.

Plumbing waste line- Plastic pipe used to collect and drain sewage waste.

Ply- A term to denote the number of layers of roofing felt, veneer in plywood, or layers in built-up materials, in any finished piece of such material.

Plywood- A panel (normally 4′ X 8′) of wood made of three or more layers of veneer, compressed and joined with glue, and usually laid with the grain of adjoining plies at right angles to give the sheet strength.

Point load- A point where a bearing/structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

Portland cement- Cement made by heating clay and crushed limestone into a brick and then grinding to a pulverized powder state.

Post- A vertical framing member usually designed to carry a beam. Often a 4″ x 4″, a 6″ x 6″, or a metal pipe with a flat plate on top and bottom.

Post-and-beam- A basic building method that uses just a few hefty posts and beams to support an entire structure. Contrasts with stud framing.

Power vent- A vent that includes a fan to speed up air flow. Often installed on roofs.

Preservative- Any pesticide substance that, for a reasonable length of time, will prevent the action of wood-destroying fungi, insect borers, and similar destructive agents when the wood has been properly coated or impregnated with it. Normally an arsenic derivative. Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) is an example.

Pressure Relief Valve (PRV)- A device mounted on a hot water heater or boiler which is designed to release any high steam pressure in the tank to prevent tank explosions.

Pressure-treated wood- Lumber that has been saturated with a preservative.

Primer- The first, base coat of paint when a paint job consists of two or more coats. A first coating formulated to seal raw surfaces and holding succeeding finish coats.

P trap- Curved, “U” section of drain pipe that holds a water seal to prevent sewer gasses from entering the home through a fixtures water drain.

Pump mix- Special concrete that will be used in a concrete pump. Generally, the mix has smaller rock aggregate than regular mix.

Punch list- A list of discrepancies that need to be corrected by the contractor.

Punch out- To inspect and make a discrepancy list.

Putty- A type of dough used in sealing glass in the sash, filling small holes and crevices in wood, and for similar purposes.

PVC or CPVC – Poly Vinyl Chloride-A type of white or light gray plastic pipe sometimes used for water supply lines and waste pipe.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter Q

Quarry tile- A man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally 6″ X 6″ X 1/4″ thick .

Quarter round- A small trim molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle.

Construction Terms Beginning With Letter R

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. Also electrically heated panels.

Radiation- Energy transmitted from a heat source to the air around it. Radiators actually depend more on convection than radiation.

Radon system- A ventilation system beneath the floor of a basement and/or structural wood floor and designed to fan exhaust radon gas to the outside of the home.

Rafter- Lumber used to support the roof sheeting and roof loads. Generally, 2 X 10′s and 2 X 12′s are used. 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, a wall or open balustrade placed at the edge of a staircase, walkway bridge, or elevated surface to prevent people from falling off. Any relatively lightweight horizontal element, especially those found in fences (split rail).

Railroad tie- Black, tar and preservative impregnated, 6″ X 8″ and 6′-8′ long wooden timber that was used to hold railroad track in place. Normally used as a member of a retaining wall.

Rake- Slope or slanted.

Rake fascia- The vertical face of the sloping end of a roof eave.

Rake siding- The practice of installing lap siding diagonally.

Ranch- A single story, one level home.

Ready mixed concrete- Concrete mixed at a plant or in trucks en route to a job and delivered ready for placement.

Rebar, reinforcing bar-Ribbed steel bars installed in foundation concrete walls, footers, and poured in place concrete structures designed to strengthen concrete. Comes in various thickness’ and strength grade.

Receptacle- An electrical outlet. A typical household will have many 120 volt receptacles for plugging in lams and appliances and 240 volt receptacles for the range, clothes dryer, air conditioners, etc.

Recording fee – A charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid to a city, county, or other appropriate branch of government.

Redline, red lined prints- Blueprints that reflect changes and that are marked with red pencil.

Reducer- A fitting with different size openings at either end and used to go from a larger to a smaller pipe.

Reflective insulation- Sheet material with one or both faces covered with aluminum foil.

Refrigerant- A substance that remains a gas at low temperatures and pressure and can be used to transfer heat. Freon is an example and is used in air conditioning systems.

Register- A grill placed over a heating duct or cold air return.

Reglaze- To replace a broken window.

Relief valve- A device designed to open if it detects excess temperature or pressure.

Remote- Remote electrical, gas, or water meter digital readouts that are installed near the front of the home in order for utility companies to easily read the home owners usage of the service.

Retaining wall- A structure that holds back a slope and prevents erosion.

R factor or value- A measure of a materials resistance to the passage of heat. New home walls are usually insulated with 4″ of batt insulation with an R value of R-13, and a ceiling insulation of R-30.

Ribbon (girt)- Normally a 1 X 4 board let into the studs horizontally to support the 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 the ridge of the roof onto which the upper ends of other rafters are fastened.

Ridge shingles- Shingles used to cover the ridge board.

Rim joist- A joist that runs around the perimeter of the floor joists and home.

Rise- The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge. Also the vertical distance from stair tread to stair tread (and not to exceed 7 ½”).

Riser- Each of the vertical boards closing the spaces between the treads of stairways.

Riser and panel- The exterior vertical pipe (riser) and metal electric box (panel) the electrician provides and installs at the “Rough Electric” stage.

Road base- A aggregate mixture of sand and stone.

Rock 1, 2, 3- When referring to drywall, this means to install drywall to the walls and ceilings (with nails and screws), and before taping is performed.

Roll, rolling- To install the floor joists or trusses in their correct place. (To “roll the floor” means to install the floor joists).

Roll roofing- Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form. 36-inch wide rolls with and 108 square feet of material. Weights are generally 45 to 90 pounds per roll.

Romex- A name brand of nonmetallic sheathed electrical cable that is used for indoor wiring.

Roof jack- Sleeves that fit around the black plumbing waste vent pipes at, and are nailed to, the roof sheeting.

Roof joist- The rafters of a flat roof. Lumber used to support the roof sheeting and roof loads. Generally, 2 X 10′s and 2 X 12′s are used.

Roof sheathing or sheeting- The wood panels or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters or trusses on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid.

Roof valley- The “V” created where two sloping roofs meet.

Rough opening- The horizontal and vertical measurement of a window or door opening before drywall or siding is installed.

Rough sill- The framing member at the bottom of a rough opening for a window. It is attached to the cripple studs below the rough opening.

Roughing-in- The initial stage of a plumbing, electrical, heating, carpentry, and/or other project, when all components that won’t be seen after the second finishing phase are assembled. See also Heat Rough, Plumbing Rough, and Electrical Rough.

Run, roof – The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge. One half the span.

Run, stair- the horizontal distance of a stair tread from the nose to the riser.

R Value- A measure of insulation. A measure of a materials resistance to the passage of heat. The higher the R value, the more insulating “power” it has. For example, typical new home’s walls are usually insulated with 4″ of batt insulation with an R value of R-13, and a ceiling insulation of R-30.