Glossary of Home Inspection Terms

An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning.

Alternating Current. The flow of current through a conductor first in one direction, then in reverse. It is used exclusively in residential and commercial wiring because it provides greater flexibility in voltage selection and simplicity of equipment design.

The outside fan unit of the air conditioning system. It removes the heat from the Freon gas and turns the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid back to the coil in the furnace.

The main electrical ON-OFF switch near the A/C condenser.

(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) Rigid black plastic pipe used only for drain lines.

Amount of moisture in the air, indicated in grains per cubic foot.

Any material added to stucco, plaster or mortar which speeds up the natural set.

An opening in the wall or ceiling near the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical system.

Can be approached or entered by the inspector safely, without difficulty, fear or danger.

43,560 square feet.

A glassy thermoplastic material that is vacuum-formed to cast and mold shapes that form the surface of fiberglass bathtubs, whirlpools, shower bases, and shower stalls.

To turn on, supply power, or enable systems, equipment, or devices to become active by normal operating controls. Examples include turning on the gas or water supply valves to the fixtures and appliances and activating electrical breakers or fuses.

The exact measurement of lumber after it has been cut, dried and milled.

A fitting that unites different types of pipe together, e.g. ABS to cast iron pipe.

The property of a coating or sealant to bond to the surface to which it is applied.

Loss of bond of a coating or sealant from the surface to which it is applied.

Constitute, or potentially constitute, a negative or destructive impact.

An apparatus that mixes air into flowing water. It is screwed onto the end of a faucet spout to help reduce splashing.

Crushed stone, slag or water-worn gravel that comes in a wide range of sizes which is used to surface built-up roofs.

A vertical, air-filled pipe that prevents water hammer by absorbing pressure when water is shut off at a faucet or valve.

Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry cooled or heated air to all rooms.

Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers that are coated with an adhesive liquid to which particles of lint and dust adhere. These filters will remove as much as 90% of the dirt if they do not become clogged. The more common filters are of the throwaway or disposable type.

The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.

The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1″ air gap.

Microorganisms that may grow to colonies in damp environments, including certain rooftops. They can discolor shingles. Often described as “fungus.”

Warning devices, installed or free-standing, including but not limited to: carbon monoxide detectors, flue gas and other spillage detectors, security equipment, ejector pumps and smoke alarms.

A space between roof insulation and roof boards provided for movement of air.

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.

A condition of paint or aged asphalt brought about by the loss of volatile oils and the oxidation caused by solar radiation. Causes a 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. “Alligatoring” produces a pattern of cracks resembling an alligator hide and is ultimately the result of the limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion or contraction.

The distance between two supporting points for load bearing lumber such as joists, rafters or a girder.

A sum of money set aside in the construction contract for items which have not been selected and specified in the construction contract. Best kept to a minimum number and used for items whose choice will not impact earlier stages of the construction. For example, selection of tile because flooring may require an alternative framing or underlayment material. (Also, money that your parents give you as a child.)

A conductor made of aluminum for carrying electricity. Aluminum is generally limited to the larger wire sizes. Due to its lower conductivity, aluminum wire smaller than No. 12 is not made. Aluminum is lighter and less expensive than copper, but does not conduct as well. It also breaks easily.

A payment plan by which a loan is reduced through monthly payments of principal and interest.

Refers to the how much current a wire can safely carry. For example, a 12-gauge electrical copper wire can safely carry up to 20 amps.

The rate of flow of electricity through wire – measured in terms of amperes.

The rate at which electricity flows through a conductor.

In residential construction, bolts used to secure a wooden sill plate to a concrete or masonry floor or wall. In commercial construction, bolts which fasten columns, girders or other members to concrete or masonry such as bolts used to anchor sills to masonry foundation.

A piece of iron that forms a right angle and is used to span openings and support masonry at the openings. In brick veneer, they are used to secure the veneer to the foundation. Also known as shelf angle.

A shutoff valve in which the inlet connects to the water supply pipe in the wall and the outlet angles 90 degrees upward toward the faucet or toilet.

In the manufacturing of float glass, the process of controlled cooling done in a Lahr to prevent residual stresses in the glass. Re-annealing is the process of removing objectionable stresses in glass by re-heating to a suitable temperature followed by controlled cooling.

Annual cost of credit over the life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items

A valve that restricts water flow to help prevent burn injuries. See Pressure Balancing Valve and Thermostatic Valve. In some areas, plumbing codes require anti-scald valves. Speak to a professional in your area for more information and help with code requirements.

A device that prevents waste water from being drawn back into supply lines and possibly contaminating the water supply.

No longer in use, useful or functioning, as in most home inspection associations. Obsolete.

Elastomeric blocks that limit lateral glass movement in the glazing channel which may result from thermal, seismic, wind load effects, building movement, and other forces that may apply.

Plywood that has been rated by the American Plywood Association (APA). For example, number one APA rated exterior plywood contains no voids between laminate layers.

The opening in pipes.

A household device operated by use of electricity or gas. Not included in this definition are components covered under central heating, central cooling or plumbing.

An expert valuation of property.

The area between the sidewalk and the street that leads to a driveway or the transition from the street as you approach a driveway.

A trim board that is installed beneath a window sill.

A service to resolve complaints, as in NACHI’s Arbitration Service.

A tradesman who designs and produces plans for buildings, often overseeing the building process.

Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a “scale.”

Any practice involving the art and science of building design for construction of any structure or grouping of structures and the use of space within and surrounding the structures or the design, design development, preparation of constructioncontract documents, and administration of the construction contrac

Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed around a basement window to hold back the earth.

An open subsurface space adjacent to a building used to admit light/air or as a means of access to a basement.

A common form of magnesium silicate which was used in various construction products due to its stability and resistance to fire. Asbestos exposure (caused by inhaling loose
asbestos fibers) is associated with various forms of lung disease. The name given to certain inorganic minerals when they occur in fibrous form. Though fire-resistant, its extremely fine fibers are easily inhaled, and exposure to them over a period of years has been linked to cancers of the lung or lung-cavity lining and to asbestosis a severe lung impairment. A naturally occurring mineral fiber sometimes found in older homes. It is hazardous to your health when a possibility exists of exposure to inhalable fibers.
Homeowners should be alert for friable (readily crumbled, brittle) asbestos and always seek professional advice in dealing with it.

A dark brown to black highly viscous hydrocarbon produced from the residue left after the distillation of petroleum. Asphalt is used on roofs and highways as a waterproofing agent.

An asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials.

A tax levied on a property, or a value placed on the worth of a property.

An indentured servant. Beginning level of inspection association membership. Slave. See Candidate.

A molding which is attached to one of a pair of swinging doors against which the other door strikes.

An opening that is placed in the dry-walled ceiling of a home providing access to the attic.

In houses, screened openings 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.

In carpentry, a wood-boring tool used by a carpenter to bore holes.

A window with hinges at the top allowing it to open out and up.

The practice of nailing roofing felts to the deck under the overlap, in addition to hot mopping, to prevent slippage of felts.

In glazing, a polyethylene or polyurethane foam material installed under compression and used to control sealant joint depth, provide a surface for sealant tooling, serve as a bond breaker to prevent three-sided adhesion, and provide an hour-glass contour of the finished bead.

The slope of the ground adjacent to the house. In any previously excavated area, i.e., the replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation. In
carpentry, the process of fastening together two pieces of board by gluing blocks of wood in the interior angle.

Movement of water (or other liquid) in any direction other than that intended.

A device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.

A simple molding sometimes used around the outer edge of plain rectangular casing as a decorative feature.

Self-powered excavation equipment that digs by pulling a boom mounted bucket towards itself. It is used to dig basements and/or footings and to install drainage or sewer systems.

Work the framing contractor does after the mechanical subcontractors (HeatingPlumbing-Electrical) finish their phase of work at the rough (before insulation) stage to get the home ready for a municipal frame inspection. Generally, the framing contractor repairs anything disturbed by others and completes all framing necessary to pass a rough Frame Inspection.

A raised integral portion of a wall mount sink or lavatory located at the rear to protect the wall.

Baffle or plate used to control the volume of flowing air in a confined area.

In carpentry, the lightest and most economical form of construction in which the studding and corner plates are set up in continuous lengths from the first floor line or sill to the roof plate to which all floor joists are fastened.

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

A railing made up of balusters, top rail, and sometimes bottom rail, used on the edge of stairs, teal conies, and porches.

Horizontal beam rafter that supports shorter rafters.

A decorative board covering the projecting rafter (fly rafter) of the gable end. At the cornice, this member is a facie board.

Instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.

A roof design which in a cross section is arched.

The upturned edge of a watertight membrane formed at a roof termination point by the extension of the felts vertically over the cant strip and up the wall for a varying distance where they are secured with mechanical fasteners.

Molding used to trim the upper edge of interior baseboard.

An asphalt-saturated and/or coated felt installed as the first ply with 4 inch laps in a built-up roof system under the following felts which can be installed in a shingle-like fashion.

Molding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip.

Usually wood or vinyl installed around the perimeter of a room to cover the space where the wall and floor meet. A board placed against the wall around a room next to the floor to properly finish between the floor and the plaster.

A heating system with the heating unit located along the perimeter of the wall where the baseboard would normally be located. It can be either an electric or hot water system.

The window frame and glass unit that is installed in the window buck.

Basket shaped strainer with holes allowing water to drain while catching food or other solids. Can also be closed to fill the sink with water.

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

Strips of insulation, usually fiberglass, that fit between studs or other framing.

A formed piece of metal designed to cover the joint between two lengths of metal edge.

One of a pair of horizontal boards nailed to posts set at the corners of an excavation, used to indicate the desired level, also used as a fastening for stretched strings to indicate outlines of foundation walls.

Temporary structures that hold strings used to locate and square the corners of a building.

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

In glazing, an applied sealant in a joint irrespective of the method of application, such as caulking bead, glazing bead, etc. Also a molding or stop used to hold glass or panels in position.

A supporting member either of wood or steel. Structural support member (steel, concrete, lumber) transversely supporting a load that transfers weight from one location to another.

(a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. (c) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for example over a door or window).

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

A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

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

A molding in an angle, as between the over hanging cornice or eaves of a building and the side walls.

In glazing, the bead compound or sealant applied between a light of glass or panel and the stationary stop or sight bar of the sash or frame. It is usually the first bead of compound or sealant to be applied when setting glass or panels.

A subsurface layer of earth that is suitable to support a structure.

In plumbing, a fitting shaped like a bell which has one opening of a smaller diameter used to reduce the size of the pipe in the line, and the opposite opening of larger diameter.

The portion of a building that is below ground level.

Flat glass that has been shaped while hot into curved shapes.

The angle of the front edge of a door usually from 1/8″ to 2.”

Wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern. This siding varies in butt thickness from ½ to ¾ inch and in widths up to 12 inches. Normally used over some type of sheathing.

A formal offer by a contractor, in accordance with specifications for a project, to do all or a
phase of the work at a certain price in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in the
offer.

A bond issued by a surety on behalf of a contractor that provides assurance to the recipient of the contractor’s bid that, if the bid is accepted, the contractor will execute a contract and provide a performance bond. Under the bond, the surety is obligated to pay the recipient of
the bid the difference between the contractor’s bid and the bid of the next lowest responsible
bidder if the bid is accepted and the contractor fails to execute a contract or to provide a
performance bond.

Drawings, details, and specifications for a particular project.

Funds or a bid bond submitted with a bid as a guarantee to the recipient of the bid that the contractor, if awarded the contract, will execute the contract in accordance with the bidding requirements of the contract documents.

A practice by which contractors, both before and after their bids are submitted, attempt to obtain prices from potential subcontractors and material suppliers that are lower than the contractors’ original estimates on which their bids are based, or after a contract is awarded, seek to induce subcontractors to reduce the subcontract price included in the bid.

The procedures and conditions for the submission of bids. The requirements are included on documents, such as the notice to bidders, advertisements for bids, instructions to bidders, invitations to bid, and sample bid forms.

Doors that are hinged in the middle to allow them to open in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.

Doors that slide by each other. Commonly used as closet doors.

A receipt for a deposit to secure the right to purchase a home at an agreed term by a buyer and seller.

A cutout in a rafter where it crosses the top plate of the wall providing a bearing surface for nailing. Also called a heel cut.

The dimension by which the framing system overlaps the edge of the glazing infill.

Any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons occurring naturally or obtained through the distillation of coal or petroleum. (See Coat Tar Pitch and Asphalt).

Fiber-glass or rock-wool insulation that comes in long rolls 15 or 23 inches wide.

The migration of a liquid to the surface of a component or into/onto an adjacent material.

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.

A rectangular molding, usually ¾ by 1-3/8 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.

An enclosed raised spot evident on the surface of a building. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.

To install a box or barrier within a foundation wall to prevent the concrete from entering an area. For example, foundation walls are sometimes “blocked” in order for mechanical pipes to pass through the wall, to install a crawl space door, or to depress the concrete at a garage door location.

Wood shims used between the door frame and the vertical structural wall framing members.

Short 2x4s used to keep rafters from twisting, and installed at the ends and at mid-span.

In carpentry, the process of fastening together two pieces of board by gluing blocks of wood in the interior angle.

Fiber insulation in loose form used to insulate attics and existing walls where framing members are not exposed.

Architectural plans for a building or construction project, which likely include floor plans, footing and foundation plans, elevations, plot plans, and various schedules and or details.

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.

Also Utility Notification. When a utility company (telephone, gas, electric, cable TV, sewer and water, etc) comes to the job site and locates and spray paints the ground and/or installs small flags to show where their service is located underground.

A method of siding in which the joints between vertically placed boards or plywood are covered by narrow strips of wood.

The volume of a piece of wood measuring 12 inches square and in inch thick. A piece of lumber 1/2″ thick and 6 inches wide and 24 inches long is equal to one board foot.

Yard lumber less than 2 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide.

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.

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.

A short horizontal timber or steel beam on top of a column to support and decrease the span of beams or girders.

A substance or a tape applied between two adjoining materials to prevent adhesion between them.

An amount of money (usually $5,000-$10,000) which must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor’s license. The bond may be used to pay for the unpaid bills or disputed work of the contractor. Not to be confused with a performance bond. They are an insurance policy which guarantees proper completion of a
project. Such bonds are rarely used in residential construction.

In addition to gypsum, bond plaster contains 2-5% lime by weight and chemical additives which improve the bond with dense non-porous surfaces such as concrete. It is used as a base coat.

A thin strip of metal inside armored or BX cable. This strip is meant to back up the primary ground.

A truck used to hoist heavy material up and into place, to put trusses on a home or to set a heavy beam into place.

A method of applying asphalt or wood shingles at the ridge or at the hips of a roof as a finish.

The lower or bottom horizontal member of a truss.

The 2x4s or 6s that lay on the subfloor upon which the vertical studs are installed. Also called the sole plate.

A curve, bend, warping or other deviation from flatness in glass or wood.

A cornice completely closed with trim work.

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

Ties and rods used for supporting and strengthening various parts of a building used for lateral stability for columns and beams.

Sheet metal that has been bent to the desired configuration.

Wiring that runs from a service panel or sub-panel to outlets. Branch circuits are protected by fuses or breakers at the panel.

A metal box that contains circuit breakers or fuses that control the electrical current in a home.

The electrical box that distributes electric power entering the home to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and composed of circuit breakers.

A roofed, open-sided passageway connecting two structures, such as a house and a garage.

Part of the foundation wall where brick (veneer) will rest.

The metal angle iron that brick rests on, especially above a window, door, or other opening.

Trim used around an exterior door jamb onto which siding butts.

A small, corrugated metal strip (1″x6″- 8″ long) nailed to wall sheeting or studs. They are inserted into the grout mortar joint of the veneer brick,and hold the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.

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

Small wood or metal members that are inserted in a diagonal position between the floor joists at midspan to act as both tension and compression members for the purpose of bracing the joists a spreading the action of loads.

One that acts as an agent for others, as in negotiating contracts, purchases, or sales in return for a fee or commission.

The coat of plaster directly beneath the finish coat. In three-coat work, the brown is the second coat.

A measure of the capacity of a heating or cooling system. Abbreviation of British Thermal Unit. The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water through a change of one degree Fahrenheit.

Often used in reference to rough frame opening members. Door bucks used in reference to metal door frame.

In glazing, open or closed pockets in a sealant caused by release, production or expansion of gasses.

The bending of a building material as a result of wear and tear or contact with a substance such as water.

Insurance coverage on a construction project during construction, including extended coverage that may be added for the contract for the customer’s protections.

Brick for building purposes not especially treated for texture or color, formerly called “common brick.” It is stronger than face brick.

Minimum local or state regulations established to protect health and safety. They apply to building design, construction, rehabilitation, repair, materials, occupancy and use. Community ordinances governing the manner in which a home may be constructed or modified.

A general term for papers, felts and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses. Generally comes in long rolls.

Written authorization from the city, county or other governing regulatory body giving permission to construct or renovate a building. A building permit is specific to the building project described in the application.

Beam (or girder) created by sistering or “scabbing” two or more pieces of lumber together.

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.

Rounded drywall corners.

A tool used to finish and flatten a slab. After screeding, the first stage in the final finish of concrete, smoothes and levels hills and voids left after screeding. Sometimes substituted
for darbying. A large flat or tool usually of wood, aluminum or magnesium with a handle.

A package of shingles. There are 3, 4 or 5 bundles per square.

A pipe fitting for joining pipes with different diameters. A bushing is threaded on the inside and outside.

The installation of glass products where the vertical glass edges are without structural supporting mullions.

The junction where the ends of two timbers or other members meet in a square-cut joint.

A roof assembly, which pitches sharply from either side toward the center.

In glazing, application of sealant or compound to the flat surface of some member before placing the member in position, such as the buttering of a removable stop before fastening the stop in place.

Type of non-curing and non-skinning sealant made from butylene. Usually used for internal applications.

A subsidy (usually paid by a builder or developer) to reduce monthly payments on a mortgage.

Armored electrical cable wrapped in galvanized steel outer covering. A factory assembly of insulated conductors inside a flexible metallic covering. It can be run anywhere except where exposed to excessive moisture. It should not be run below grade. It must always be grounded and uses its armor as an equipment ground. It is difficult to pull out old wires or insert new ones.

A 10″ or 12″ diameter hole drilled into the earth and embedded into bedrock 3 – 4 feet. The structural support for a type of foundation wall, porch, patio, monopost, or other structure. Two or more “sticks” of reinforcing bars (rebar) are inserted into and run the full length of the hole and concrete is poured into the caisson hole.

A chemical used to speed up curing of concrete in damp conditions.

To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument): calibrate a thermometer.

The act or process of calibrating or the state of being calibrated.

A slightly arched surface, as of a road, a ship’s deck, an airfoil, or a snow ski.

An arch whose intrados, though apparently straight, has a slightly concave curve upward.

A beam whose under side has a concave curve upward.

Casement windows with a curved top.

An indentured servant. Beginning level of inspection association membership. Slave. See Associate Member.

An overhanging roof.

A beveled support used at the junction of a flat surface and a vertical surface to prevent bends and/or cracking of the roofing membrane at the intersection of the roof deck and wall. Used with a base flashing to minimize breaking of the roofing felts.

A projecting beam or other structure supported only at one end. Any part of a structure that projects beyond its main support and is balanced on it.

Foundation void material used in unusually expansive soil conditions. This void is “trapezoid” shaped and has vertical sides of 6″ and 4″ respectively.

The upper member of a column, pilaster, door cornice, molding, and the like.

The portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

A top layer in built-up roofing.

In roofing, one to four plies of felt bonded and top-coated with bitumen that is laid over an existing roof as a treatment for defective roofs.

Tool used to clean out mortar joints on brick.

The principal part of a loan, i.e. the original amount borrowed.

A repayment loan and the most conventional form of home loan. The borrower pays an amount each month to cover the amount borrowed (capital or principal) plus the interest charged on capital.

The mortgage interest rate will not exceed a specified value during a certain period of time, but it will fluctuate up and down below that level.

CO. A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon.

Frames of wood or metal enclosing part or all of the sash, which may be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.

A sidehinged window that opens on hinges secured to the side of the window frame.

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

Heavy metal formed by casting on molds. The metal is covered with a porcelain enamel coating to make fixtures such as the cast iron tubs.

Drain and vent lines. Most older drain-waste venting systems are made of cast-iron pipes. Now increasingly supplanted by ABS and PVC. Pipes were originally joined with molten lead, but most plumbers now join them with no- hub couplers.

A variation of a pry bar used to pry up deep set (counter sunk) nails.

A drain for a low or wet spot, with pipe exiting the side and a pit at the bottom to collect sediment.

The application of sealant to a joint, crack or crevice. A compound used for sealing that has minimum joint movement capability; sometimes called low performance sealant.

Material used to seal exterior cracks and openings such as windows or foundations.

A pesticide that is forced into wood under high pressure to protect it from termites, other wood boring insects, and decay caused by fungus.

One of a series of parallel framing members used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams, girders or bearing walls. Also called roof joists.

The hollow spaces in concrete blocks.

Ground-up newspaper that is treated with a fire retardant.

Black fibrous board that is used as exterior sheething.

The gray powder that is the “glue” in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive.

Rich – 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 3 parts coarse aggregate. Used for concrete roads and waterproof structures. Standard – 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 4 parts coarse aggregate. Used for reinforced work floors, roofs, columns, arches, tanks, sewers, conduits, etc. Medium – 1 part cement, 2 1/2 parts sand, 5 parts coarse aggregate. Used for foundations, walls, abutments, piers, etc. Lean – 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, 6 parts coarse aggregate. Used for all mass concrete work, large foundations, backing for stone masonry, etc. Mixtures are always listed Cement to Sand to Aggregate.

A style of faucet that is installed on a lavatory with 4″ center-to-center faucet holes and that has the spout and handle(s) combined into a single part.

A type of valve that relies on two-part revolving disks in a sealed cylinder. Each disk has a port in it that, when aligned with the other, will allow water to pass through.

A man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally used in bathtub and shower enclosures and on counter tops.

A document stating that a building is approved for occupancy. The Building Authority issues the Certificate of Occupancy.

Having a formal document testifying to qualification or completion of requirements.

Measure of volume of air. When testing systems, find the CFM by multiplying the face velocity (amount of air passing through the face of an outlet or return) times the free area (the total area of the openings in the outlet or inlet through which air can pass) in square feet.

A molding that runs horizontally along the wall at about 3 feet from the ground. In storefront, window wall, or curtain wall systems, a chair rail is an aluminum extrusion applied horizontally to the inside of the system 3 feet from the floor to create a barrier in floor-to-ceiling glazing applications.

A line made on the roof by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes.

A written document which modifies the plans and specifications and/or the price of the Construction Contract.

The installation of glass products into U-shaped glazing channels. The channels may have fixed stops; however, at least one glazing stop on one edge must be removable.

A local group of members of a larger association, as in a local NACHI Chapter. A local branch.

A framed enclosed space around a flue pipe or a channel in a wall or through a ceiling for
something to lie in or pass through.

Fissures that appear with age in many exterior paint coatings. At first superficial, but in time may penetrate entirely through the coating. It produces a pattern of surface cracks running in irregular lines. When found in the top pour of an asphalt built-up roof, checking is the preliminary stage of alligatoring.

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.

Leak repair technique usually used below grade in cracks and joints in concrete walls and floors that involves the injection of sealant (usually urethane) that reacts with water to form a seal.

To install fiberglass insulation around all exterior door and window frames, wall corners, and small gaps in the exterior wall.

A manufactured wood panel made out of 1″- 2″ wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing. Also called OSB (Oriented
Strand Board) or Wafer Board.

A network of wiring that typically commences at a panel box, feeds electricity to outlets and ultimately returns to the panel box.

A protective device which automatically opens an electrical circuit when it is overloaded.

Reservoir for water. Common in houses built prior to the fifties in the Midwest.

The highest fire-resistance rating for roofing per ASTM E108. Indicates that roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing material is able to withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing material is able to withstand light exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

A fire resistant rating applied by the Underwriters Laboratories Classification for a door having a 1 to 1 1/2 hour rating.

A plug in a trap or drain pipe that provides access for the purpose of clearing an obstruction.

A drain fitting, usually a wye or a tee, with a removable plug to permit inspection and access for an auger or snake.

A wedge-shaped piece (usually of metal) which serves as a support or check. A strip fastened across something to give strength or hold something in position.

Sharp cut metal wires that protrude out of a concrete foundation wall that at one time held the foundation form panels in place.

A method of valley treatment in which shingles from one side of the valley extend across the valley, while shingles from the other side are trimmed 2 inches from the valley centerline. The valley flashing is not exposed.

A flexible rod with a curved end used to access the toilet’s built-in trap and remove clogs.

A curved fitting that connects the closet flange to the toilet drain.

Bolt whose head is fitted to a closet flange and protrudes up through a toilet base. A nut is tightened around it on the toilet base. Two (or four) bolts serve one toilet.

An anchoring ring secured to the floor. The base of the toilet is secured to this ring with bolts.

An abbreviation for “Certificate of Occupancy.”

A viscous liquid mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, derived, along with coke, from the destructive distillation of coal.

A bituminous material, which is a by-product from the coking of coal. It is used as the waterproofing material for tar and gravel built-up roofing.

Ethical standards of conduct for home inspectors.

Internal splitting of a compound resulting from over-stressing of the compound.

The ductwork (and related grills) that carries room air back to the furnace for re-heating.

Products that can be applied without heating. These are in contrast to products which need to be heated to be applied.

In roofing, a roof repair done with cold-applied material.

Special multipurpose adhesive for low-sloped, cold- applied roof construction. Bonds 19″ selvedge, mineral surface and cap sheets to the underlayment. Doubles as an adhesive on 2″ selvedge lap of mineral-, granule- or smooth-surfaced roofing. Available in both summer and winter grades.

Mastic prepared with SBS modifiers to adhere laps, flashing and joints of built-up or low slope roofing without hot-mopping or torching equipment.

In roofing, a conical metal cap flashing used in conjunction with vent pipes or stacks usually located several inches above the plane of the roof for the purpose of shedding water away
from the base of the vent.

In carpentry, a tie that keeps the roof from spreading. They serve to stiffen the roof structure. Connects similar rafters on opposite sides of roof.

A horizontal board attached perpendicular to rafters.

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 which supports loads acting in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Combination doors or windows are used over regular openings. They provide winter insulation and summer protection and often have self storing or removable glass and screen inserts. This eliminates the need for handling a different unit each season.

The duct work installed to bring fresh, outside air to the furnace and/or hot water heater. Normally 2 separate supplies of air are brought in: one high and one low.

The part of a boiler, furnace or woodstove where the burn occurs; normally lined with firebrick or molded or sprayed insulation.

Rafter that extends from the top plate to the ridge. Generally set 12, 16, or 24 inches apart.

Two or more substances, which can be mixed or blended without separating, reacting, or affecting either material adversely.

A permanently installed or attached fixture, element or part of a system.

An insulation board which has two different insulation types laminated together in 2 or 3 layers.

Used to join or connect pipes and conduit by causing a ring to compress against the connecting tube when tightening with a wrench.

A gasket designed to function under compression.

The permanent deformation of a material after removal of the compressive stress.

A type of valve that works by raising or lowering a stem. Water passes through the valve by turning the faucet handle, which causes the stem to drop or rise.

A member of a truss system which connects the bottom and top chords and which provides downward support.

A mechanical device that pressurizes a gas in order to turn it into a liquid, thereby allowing heat to be removed or added. A compressor is the main component of conventional heat pumps and air conditioners. In an air conditioning system, the compressor normally sits
outside and has a large fan (to remove heat).

Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the underlying course of roofing and covered by a cemented, overlapping course. Nails are not exposed to the weather.

A hollow concrete ‘brick’ often 8″x8″x16″ in size. Often used in low rise commercial and some residential construction. The original design and use is attributed to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

A panel made out of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a tile backing material.

A panel made out of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a tile backing material.

A mixture of 3/8-inch pea gravel, sand, cement and water which is poured into the cells of concrete-block walls to reinforce them.

Concrete either without reinforcement,or reinforced only for shrinkage or temperature changes.

The copper pipe that runs from the outside air conditioning condenser to the inside furnace (where the A/C coil is located).

Water condensing on walls, ceiling and pipes. Normal in areas of high humidity, usually controlled by ventilation or a dehumidifier.

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

The visible and conspicuous state of being of an object.

The standards that define how a property may be used and the protections the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision.

The flow of heat from one part of a substance to another part. A piece of iron with one end placed in a fire will soon become warm from end to end due to the transfer of heat by the actual collision of the air molecules.

The rate at which heat is transmitted through a material.

In roofing, a pipe for conveying rainwater from the roof gutter to a drain, or from a roof drain to the storm drain; also called a leader, downspout, or downpipe. In electrical contracting, a wire through which a current of electricity flows, better known as an electric wire.

A hollow pipe casing through which electric lines run.

Anything that conducts or carries electricity.

Tubing used to protect wiring.

A table-like lavatory in which the basin is attached to a wall at the back and by table or piano legs at the front.

Thick-bodied adhesive, suited to a wide range of repair and construction tasks. Packaged in convenient cartridges for caulking guns.

A legal document which specifies the details of a construction project. A good construction contract will include: 1.The contractors registration number. 2.A statement of work quality such as ‘Standard Practices of the Trades’ or ‘according to Manufacturers Specifications.’ 3.A set of blue prints or plans. 4.A set of specifications. 5.Any allowances. 6.A construction timetable including starting and completion dates. 7.A fixed price for the work, or a time and materials formula. 8.A payment schedule. 9.A written warrantee. 10.A clause which outlines how any disputes will be resolved.

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.

A loan provided by a lending institution specifically to construct or renovate a building.

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.

Ongoing education, often a requirement for membership in a home inspection association. For example, NACHI’s Continuing Education Policy.

An electrical tool used to identify and diagnose a circuit as either open or closed.

: An individual licensed to perform certain types of construction activities. In most
states, the generals contractor’s license and some specialty contractor’s licenses don’t require of compliance with bonding, workmen’s compensation and similar regulations.
Some of the specialty contractor licenses involve extensive training, testing and/or insurance requirements. There are various types of contractors: General Contractor – responsible for the execution, supervision and overall coordination of a project and may also perform some of the individual construction tasks. Most general contractors are not licensed to perform all specialty trades and must hire specialty contractors for such tasks, e.g. electrical, plumbing. Remodeling Contractor – a general contractor who specializes in remodeling work. Specialty Contractor – licensed to perform a specialty task e.g. electrical, side sewer, asbestos abatement. Sub Contractor – a general or specialty contractor who works for another general contractor.

A control joint controls or accommodates movement in the surface component of a roof.

A method of transferring heat by the actual movement of heated molecules, usually by a freestanding unit such as a furnace.

A mortgage loan not insured by a government agency (such as FHA or VA).

The ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate schedule to a fixed rate schedule.

The amount of cooling required to keep a building at a specified temperature during the summer, usually 78° Fahrenheit, regardless of outside temperature.

A large device mounted on roofs, consisting of many baffles over which water is pumped in order to reduce its temperature.

Removing the top and bottom flange of the end(s) of a metal I-beam. This is done to permit it to fit within, and bolted to, the web of another I-beam in a “T” arrangement.

Cutting and fitting woodwork to an irregular surface.

A construction unit placed at the top of the parapet wall to serve as a cover for the wall.

The intersection of a roof slope and an exterior vertical wall.

Type K has the heaviest or thickest wall and is generally used underground. It has a green stripe. Type L has a medium wall thickness and is most commonly used for water service and for general interior water piping. It has a blue stripe. Type M has a thin wall and many codes permit its use in general water piping installation. It has a red stripe.

The triangular, decorative and supporting member that holds a mantel or horizontal shelf.

To build out one or more courses of brick or stone from the face of a wall to form a support for timbers.

A small section cut from any material to show internal composition.

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.

Used as trim for the external corners of a house or other frame structure against which the ends of the siding are finished.

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.

Diagonal braces at the corners of frame structure to stiffen and strengthen the wall.

A horizontal projecting course on the exterior of a building, usually at the base of the parapet. In residential construction, the overhang of a pitched roof at the cave line, usually
consisting of a facie board, a soffit for a closed cornice, and appropriate moldings.

The portion of the cornice that returns on the gable end of a house.

The deterioration of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction resulting from exposure to weathering, moisture, chemicals or other agents or media.

Folded or shaped into parallel ridges or furrows so as to form a symmetrically wavy surface.

A breakdown of all the anticipated costs on a construction or renovation project.

See Time and Materials Contract.

The formed metal secured to a wall, curb, or roof top unit to cover and protect the upper edge of a base flashing and its associated fasteners. This type of flashing is usually used in residential construction on chimneys at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and to prevent moisture entry.

A foundation wall section that strengthens (and is generally perpendicular to) a long section of foundation wall.

In plumbing, a short collar with only inside threads at each end, for receiving the ends of two pipes which are to be fitted and joined together. A right/left coupling is one used to join 2 gas pipes in limited space.

A single layer of brick or stone or other building material.

A molding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners.

Rules usually developed by a builder or developer regarding the physical appearance of buildings in a particular geographic area. Typical covenants address building height, appropriate fencing and landscaping, and the type of exterior material (stucco, brick, stone,
siding, etc) that may be used.

Amount of weather protection provided by the roofing material. Depends on number of layers of material between the exposed surface of the roofing and the deck; i.e. single coverage, double coverage, etc.

Plastic water piping.

Rigid plastic pipe used in water supply systems where code permits.

Pit in the surface of concrete resulting from cracking of the mortar due to expansive forces associated with a particle of unsound aggregate or a contaminating material, such as wood
or glass.

A shallow open area between the floor of a building and the ground, normally enclosed by the foundation wall.

The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor structural component.

A series of hairline cracks in the surface of weathered materials, having a web- like appearance. Also, hairline cracks in pre-finished metals caused by bending or forming (see Brake Metal).

A report ordered by a lender from a credit agency to determine a borrower’s credit habits.

A peaked saddle construction at the back of a chimney to prevent accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water around the chimney.

Short stud used as support in wall openings that replaces a normal 93 inch or 96 inch stud.

In a wood-frame house, the section of wall under the house between the concrete foundation and the floor joists. Also called crawl space walls.

Used in the ground to hold water for pumping sump pumps.

Short metal “T” beam used in suspended ceiling systems to bridge the spaces between the main beams.

Diagonal bracing between adjacent floor joists, placed near the center of the joist span to prevent joists from twisting.

Cutting across the wood grain; to crosscut a board is to cut across its width.

A molding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered.

Round, corrugated drain pipe (normally 15″ or 18″ in diameter) that is installed beneath a driveway parallel to and near the street.

A small dome at the peak of a pitched roof.

A type of warping that causes boards to curl up at their edges.

A short wall or masonry built above the level of the roof that provides a means of flashing the deck equipment.

A roof with an upper and lower set of rafters on each side, the under-set being less inclined to the horizon than the upper; a mansard roof.

In concrete application, the process in which mortar and concrete harden. The length of time is dependent upon the type of cement, mix proportion, required strength, size and shape of
the concrete section, weather and future exposure conditions. The period may be 3 weeks or
longer for lean concrete mixtures used in structures such as dams or it may be only a few days for richer mixes. Favorable curing temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Design strength is achieved in 28 days.

The process of paint bonding to a surface. Curing and drying are not the same.

One part of a multi-part sealant which, when added to the base, will cause the base to change its physical state by chemical reaction between the two parts.

A ditch sometimes filled with gravel and a drain tile which diverts storm and drain water away from a structure.

A thin wall, supported by the structural steel or concrete frame of the building independent of the wall below. Also a metal (most often aluminum) framing system on the face of a building containing vision glass panels and spandrel panels made of glass, aluminum, or other material.

A piece of roofing membrane consisting of one or more narrow plies of felt usually mopped in hot to seal the edge of insulation at the end of a day’s work.

Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2x4s, cut in between each stud diagonally.

In roofing, basic asphalt or tar which has been “cut back” with solvents and oils so that the material become fluid.

Valves used to shut water off, generally located under sinks or behind bathtub and shower access panels. They cut off hot and/or cold water at the source without cutting all water off throughout the house.

A rectangular groove across the width of a board or plank. In interior decoration, a special type of wall treatment.

An air valve that regulates the flow of air inside the flue of a furnace or fireplace.

A process used on concrete, masonry or stone surfaces to repel water, the main purpose of which is to prevent the coated surface from absorbing rain water while still permitting moisture vapor to escape from the structure. (Moisture vapor readily penetrates coatings of this type.) “Dampproofing” generally applies to surfaces above grade; “waterproofing” generally applies to surfaces below grade.

A flat tool used to smooth concrete flatwork immediately after screeding. See Bullfloating.

A control mechanism used to operate a mechanical ventilation system based upon the relative humidity in the home.

The constant, design-weight (of the roof) and any permanent fixtures attached above or below.

Disintegration of wood or other substance through the action of fungi

An elevated platform. “Deck” is also commonly used to refer to the above-ground floors in multi-level parking garage.

An enamel with a high degree of resistance to mechanical wear designed for use on such surfaces as porch floors.

not required for the operation of essential systems and components of a home.

To bend or deform under weight.

The amount of bending movement of any part of a structural member perpendicular to the axis of the member under an applied load.

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.

Report in writing on a system or component by its type or other observed characteristics to distinguish it from other components used for the same purpose.

Specified pressure a product is designed to withstand.

One who designs houses, interiors, landscaping or other objects. When used it the context of residential construction it usually suggests that a designer is not a licensed architect. Most jurisdictions don’t require an architectural license for most single family construction.

To arrive at an opinion or conclusion pursuant to examination.

Temperature at which vapor condenses from the atmosphere and forms water.

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.

Passive solar heating system in which sunlight penetrates and warms the house interior directly.

To nail perpendicular to the initial surface or to the junction of the pieces joined. Also termed Face Nailing.

To open, take apart or remove any component, device or piece that would not typically be opened, taken apart or removed by an ordinary occupant.

A device that grinds food sufficiently to enter drains for disposal without clogging them.

Alteration of viewed images caused by variations in glass flatness or in homogeneous portions within the glass. An inherent characteristic of heat-treated glass.

A device that changes the direction of water flow from one faucet to another.

Valves which have a single inlet and direct water to one of two outlets. Diverters are used with handshowers, shower risers, tub & shower combinations, and kitchen faucet sprayers.

Beveled wood siding which is rabbeted on the bottom edge.

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.

A converted attic with windows projecting through a sloping roof.

Application of asphalt roofing so that the lapped portion is at least 2 inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of roofing material over the deck.

A window with sashes that slide vertically and allow opening from the top and bottom.

When two layers of 2x4s are placed on top of studs in framing a wall.

In float glass, approximately 1/8″ (3 mm.) thick.

Refers usually to a precast roof deck panel poured with two fins in its underside to impart flexural rigidity

In general, any use of two lights of glass, separated by an air space within an opening to improve insulation against heat transfer and/or sound transmission. In insulating glass units, the air between the glass sheets is thoroughly dried and the space is sealed, eliminating possible condensation and providing superior insulating properties.

The pipe that carries water down from the gutter or scupper. Also called a leader.

The amount of progress billings on a contract that is currently available to a contractor under a contract with a fixed payment schedule.

A top view drawing of a building or roof showing the roof perimeter and indicating the projections and roof mounted equipment, drawn to scale.

Boards or planks machined in such a manner that there is a groove on one edge and a corresponding tongue on the other.

The dimension of lumber after shrinking from green dimension and after machining to size or pattern.

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.

A molding placed on the exterior top side of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.

(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 underside 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.

A device designed to prevent water from running back or under an overhang.

Bitumen material that drips through roof deck joints, or over the edge of a roof deck.

Usually ¾ inch thick and 6 and 8 inches wide with tongued-and-grooved or shiplap edges. Often used as siding without sheathing in secondary buildings.

In carpentry, “dropping” a stringer refers to cutting short on the bottom of a stairs to allow for thickness of the first tread.

Also called compression glazing, a term used to describe various means of sealing monolithic and insulating glass in the supporting framing system with synthetic rubber and
other elastomeric gasket materials.

See Fungal Wood Rot.

Accomplishment of weather seal between glass and sash by use of strips or gaskets of Neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other flexible material. A dry seal may not be completely watertight.

A ply mechanically attached to wood or gypsum decks to prevent asphalt or pitch from penetrating the deck and leaking into the building below.

To make a building waterproof.

A gypsum board material used for walls or ceilings.

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.

A special hammer used for nailing up gypsum board. Also known as an ax or hatchet. Edges should be smooth and the corners rounded off. The head has a convex round & checkered head.

Nails used for hanging regular drywall that is to be taped and finished later must have adequate holding power and a head design that does not cut the face paper. They must also
be of the proper depth to provide exactly 1 inch penetration into the framing member. Nails
commonly used are chemically-etched and are designed with a cupped head.

A cylindrical or rectangular “tube” used to move air either from exhaust or intake, and for distributing warm air from the heating plant to rooms, or air from a conditioning device or as
cold air returns. The installation is referred to as “duct work.”

A system of distribution channels used to transmit heated or cooled air from a central system (HVAC) throughout a home.

A clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the property.

An elevator with a maximum footage of not more than 9 sq. ft. floor area; not more than 4″ headroom and a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. used for carrying materials only.

A panel made out of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a ceramic tile backing material. Commonly used on bathtub decks. Sometimes called Wonder Board.

A gauge to measure the hardness of an elastomeric material.

The pipes in a plumbing system that remove waste water.

Errors and Omissions Insurance.

A sum paid to the seller to show that a potential purchaser is serious about buying.

A metal strap used to secure gas hot water heaters to the framing or foundation of a house. It is intended to reduce the chances of having the water heater fall over in an earthquake and causing a gas leak.

A formal contract which allows a party to use another party’s property for a specific purpose, e.g. a sewer easement might allow one party to run a sewer line through a neighbor’s property.

The part of the roof which extends beyond the side wall.

Additional layer of roofing material applied at the eaves to help prevent damage from water backup.

Nominal spacing between the edge of the glass product and the bottom of the glazing pocket (channel).

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 45° or more with the surface of the piece.

A term relating to brake or extruded metal around the perimeter of a roof.

Boards nailed along eaves and rakes to provide secure edges for re- roofing with asphalt shingle after cutting back existing wood shingles.

Energy Efficiency Ratio is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts.

A white powder on the surface of walls due to evaporation of water. It forms on the surface of bricks.

A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement. Normally a 4×4 window is the minimum size required.

Exterior Insulating and Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco.

An elastic rubber-like substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Of or pertaining to any of the numerous flexible membranes that contain rubber or plastic.

An angled fitting that alters the direction of the water line.

The trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the electric service to a home.

Metal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters.

The entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the ‘strike’ or location where the overhead electrical lines connect to the house. (2) The meter which measures how much power is used. (3) The ‘panel,’ ‘circuit breaker box ‘or ‘fuse box’ where the power can be shut off and overload devices such a fuses or circuit breakers and located.

Work performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all electrical wires, and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (before insulation).

Work performed by the Electrical Contractor when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance “pig tails”, bath ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and “makes up” the electric house panel. The electrician does all work necessary to get the home ready for and to pass the municipal
electrical final inspection.

A fitting required to join copper to galvanized pipe and gasketed to prevent galvanic action. Connecting pipes of different materials may result in electrolysis.

A side of a building.

The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as if a vertical plane were passed through the structure.

See Elbow.

The measure of a surface’s ability to emit long-wave infrared radiation.

Electrical pipe, also called thin-wall conduit, which may be used for both concealed and exposed areas. It is the most common type of raceway used in single family and low rise residential and commercial buildings.

In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.

Internal flashing (dam) that prevents water from moving laterally within a curtain wall or window wall system.

The amount or location of overlap at the end of a roll of roofing felts in the application.

An air conditioning efficiency rating system which indicates the number of BTU’s delivered per watt of power consumed.

Any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education, training, and experience and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such professional service or creative work as consultation,
investigation, evaluation, planning, design and supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring compliance with the specifications and design, in conjunction with structures,
buildings, machines, equipment, works or processes.

To go into an area to observe all visible components.

A single ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber; usually 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered or mechanically attached.

The “valuation” that you own in your home, i.e. the property value less the mortgage loan outstanding.

The handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf of the buyer and/or seller.

A trim piece or decorative flange that fits beneath the faucet handle to conceal the faucet stem and the hole in the fixture or wall.

The anticipated cost of materials, labor, and associated cost for a proposed construction, repair, or remodeling project.

The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process.

To assess the systems, structures or components of a dwelling.

To visually look. See Inspect.

To dig the basement and/or all areas that will need footings/foundations below ground.

Extracts air or excess heat from the interior of a home.

The amount that a specific material will vary in any one dimension with a change of temperature.

A device used to permit a structure to expand or contract without breakage. In residential construction, a bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs.

Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present.

A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture of the top layer of the aggregate – usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate – usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the cemented, overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the weather.

Type of plywood approved by the American Plywood Association for exterior use.

The portion of the roofing exposed to the weather after installation.

Glazing infills set from the exterior of the building.

The molding or bead that holds the light or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the light or panel.

Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but increase the cost of
building the home.

An item formed by forcing a base metal (frequently aluminum) or plastic, at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape.

A flat, normally concrete, projection which protrudes horizontally from a building wall; Eyebrows are generally located above windows.

The end of a building as distinguished from the front or rear side. The triangular end of an exterior wall from the level of the eaves to the ridge of a double-sloped roof. In house construction, the portion of the roof above the eave line of a double-sloped roof.

An end wall having a gable.

A type of roof with sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Has a gable at each end.

To coat a metal with zinc by dipping it in molten zinc after cleaning.

A type of roof which has its slope broken by an obtuse angle, so that the lower slope is steeper than the upper slope. A double sloped roof having two pitches.

A steel plate attached to both sides at each joint of a truss. Sometimes called a Fishplate or Gusset.

The trench or area in the yard where the gas line service is located, or the work of installing the gas service to a home.

Pre-formed shapes, such as strips, grommets, etc., of rubber or rubber-like composition, used to fill and seal a joint or opening either alone or in conjunction with a supplemental
application of a sealant.

A valve that lets you completely stop, but not modulate, the flow within a pipe.

The thickness of sheet metal and wire, etc.

Board used to carry grout needed to patch small jobs.

A contractor responsible for all facets of construction of a building or renovation.

A contractor responsible for all facets of construction of a building or renovation.

Special devices capable of opening a circuit when even a small amount of current is flowing through the grounding system.

Material used in wall systems that resembles but generally does not perform as well as concrete. Usually a thin cementitious material laminated to plywood or other lightweight backing.

A main beam upon which floor joists rest. Used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length, usually made of steel or wood.

A large principal beam made of steel, reinforced concrete, wood or combination of these,
used to support other structural members at isolated points along its length.

A hard, brittle substance, usually transparent, made by fusing silicates under high temperatures with soda, lime, etc.

Roll roofing product built on a fiberglass base sheet constructed with a heavyweight TAMKO fiberglass mat, coated with weathering-grade asphalt. Used as a base sheet in select TAMKO modified asphalt and fiberglass roofing systems and as an alternate for TAMKO Type 43 Coated Base Sheet in any TAMKO specification. Hot- asphalt applied or mechanically fastened.

3-tab self-sealing fiberglass shingles with a traditional square-tab design. A thick layer of weathering-grade asphalt gives them extra waterproofing protection. They are U.L. Class A
fire rated and backed by a 20-year limited warranty. Algae-resistant granules optional.

In roofing, a light uniform mopping of bitumen on exposed felts to protect them from the weather, pending completion of the job.

A generic term used to describe an infill material such as glass, panels, etc. Also, the process of installing an infill material into a prepared opening in windows, door panels,
partitions, etc.

In glazing, a strip surrounding the edge of the glass in a window or door which holds the glass in place.

In glazing, a three-sided, U-shaped sash detail into which a glass product is installed and retained.

A valve that lets you adjust the flow of water to any rate between fully on and fully off. Also see Gate Valve.

A paint or enamel that contains a relatively low proportion of pigment and dries to a sheen or luster.

A structural beam composed of wood laminations or lams. The lams are pressure bonded with adhesives to attain a typical thickness of 1 ½” . (It looks like 5 or more 2x4s are glued together).

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.

The unit of measurement by which flow rate of toilets are measured and regulated. Current U.S. regulations for toilets require a maximum of 1.6 GPF.

The unit of measurement by which the flow rate of faucets and showerheads is measured and regulated.

A foundation wall that is poured level with or just below the grade of the earth. An example is the area where the 8′ or 16′ overhead garage door “block out” is located, or a lower (walk out basement) foundation wall is poured.

Moderate Weather grade of brick for moderate resistance to freezing used, for example, in planters.

No Weather brick intended for use as a back-up or interior masonry.

Severe Weather grade of brick intended for use where high resistance to freezing is desired.

A fixed-rate, fixed-schedule loan. It starts with lower payments than a level payment loan; payments rise annually, with the entire increase being used to reduce the outstanding balance. The increase in payments may enable the borrower to pay off a 30-year loan in 15 to 20 years, or less.

The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibers in wood.

The mineral particles of a graded size which are embedded in the asphalt coating of shingles and roofing.

Loose fragments of rock used for surfacing built-up roofs, in sizes varying from 1/8″ to 1¾.”

The completed assembly of main and cross tees in a suspended ceiling system before the
ceiling panels are installed. Also the decorative slats (munton) installed between glass panels.

Refers to electricity’s habit of seeking the shortest route to earth. Neutral wires carry it there in all circuits. An additional grounding wire or the sheathing of the metal- clad cable or conduit protects against shock if the neutral leg is interrupted.

The plumbing drain and waste lines that are installed beneath the basement floor. Cast iron was once used, but black plastic pipe (ABS) is now widely used.

The connection of current-carrying neutral wire to the grounding terminal in the main switch which in turn is connected to a water pipe. The neutral wire is called the ground wire.

Rod used to ground an electrical panel.

Guides used around openings and at the floorline to strike off plaster. They can consist of narrow strips of wood or of wide sub-jambs at interior doorways. They provide a level plaster line for installation of casing and other trim.

Water from an aquifer or subsurface water source.

A hydrous mortar whose consistency allows it to be placed or pumped into small joints or cavities, as between pieces of ceramic clay, slate, or tile. Also, various mortar mixes used in
foundation work to fell voids in soils, usually injected through drilled holes.

A cement mortar mixture made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will flow into joints and cavities of masonry work to fill them solid.

Sealant formulated in a degree of viscosity suitable for application through the nozzle of a caulking gun.

A construction material composed of cement, sand or crushed slag and water mixed together and forced through a cement gun by pneumatic pressure, used in the construction of swimming pools.

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.

Metal or wood trough at the eaves of a roof to carry rain water from the roof to the
downspout.

Metal bands used to support the gutter.

A strong steel wire or cable strung from an anchor on the roof to any tall slender projection for the purpose of support.

See Drywall.

Gypsum formulated to be used with the addition of sand and water for base-coat plaster.

Material used to obtain a smooth finish coat of plaster, for use over gypsum plastic base coats only and in areas not subject to moisture. It is the hardest plaster.

Small metal clips formed like an “H” that fits at the joints of two plywood (or wafer board) sheets to stiffen the joint. Normally used on the roof sheeting.

Metal accessories such as door knobs, towel bars, toilet paper holders, etc.

An opening in a deck, floor or roof. The usual purpose is to provide access from inside the building.

An extension, knee-like protrusion of the foundation wall that a concrete porch or patio will rest upon for support.

A flat wood or metal tool 10 inches to 14 inches square with a handle used by plasterers to carry plaster mortar or mud.

Insurance for a building while it is under construction.

Framing members over windows, doors, or other openings. A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for chimney, stairway, or other opening. Also, a wood lintel.

The inner or outer floor of a fireplace, usually made of brick, tile, or stone.

The wood extending from the pith to the sapwood, the cells of which no longer participate in the life processes of the tree.

An electrical municipal inspection of the electric meter breaker panel box.

A device which uses compression and decompression of gas to heat and/or cool a house.

Work performed by the heating contractor after the stairs and interior walls are built. This includes installing all duct work and flue pipes. Sometimes the furnace and fireplaces are installed at this stage of construction.

Flat or bent glass that has been heat-treated to a specific surface and/or edge compression range to meet the requirements of ASTM C 1048, kind HS. Heat-strengthened glass is approximately two times as strong as annealed glass of the same thickness when exposed to uniform static pressure loads. Heat-strengthened glass is not considered safety glass and will not completely dice in the manner fully tempered glass will.

Work done by the heating contractor to get the home ready for the municipal final heat Inspection. This includes venting the hot water heater, installing all vent grills, registers, air
conditioning services, turning on the furnace, installing thermostats, venting ranges and hoods, and all other heat related work.

The amount of heating required to keep a building at a specified temperature during the winter, usually 65° Fahrenheit, regardless of outside temperature.

Sealant applied at the base of a channel, after setting the light or panel and before the removable stop is installed, one of its purposes being to prevent leakage past the stop.

A notch cut in the end of a rafter to permit it to fit flat on a wall and on the top, doubled, exterior wall plate.

Vacuum seal between panes of a double-paned window, i.e. insulated glass unit or IGU. Failure of a hermetic seal causes permanent fogging between the panels of the IGU.

A portland cement sold as Type III which sets up to its full strength faster than other types.

A light spot, area, or streak on a painted surface.

A jointed or flexible device that allows the turning or pivoting of a part, such as a door or lid, on a stationary frame.

The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.

A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle.

A roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building.

Shingles used to cover the inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

A shaftway for the travel of one or more elevators.

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

Areas in a foundation wall where the aggregate (gravel) is visible. Honeycombs can be usually be remedied by applying a thin layer of grout or other cement product over the affected area. Also, a method by which concrete is poured and not puddled or vibrated, allowing the edges to have voids or holes after the forms are removed.

Parallel to or in the plane of the horizon.

An outdoor faucet with hose threads on the spout. Also commonly used to supply washing machines and wash basins.

The wire that carries electrical energy to a receptacle or other device—in contrast to a neutral, which carries electricity away again. Normally the black wire. Also see Ground.

In plumbing, the enlarged end of a pipe which is made to provide a connection into which the end of the joining pipe will fit.

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.

Metal straps that are nailed and secure the roof rafters and trusses to the top horizontal wall plate. Sometimes called a Teco Clip.

Metal fasteners used to secure rafters in structures subject to hurricane winds.

An elevator where liquid is pumped under pressure directly into the cylinder by a pump driven by an electric motor without an accumulator between the pump and cylinder.

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

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.

Manufactured structural building component resembling the letter “I.” Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two key parts: flanges and webs. The flange of 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.

The diameter measurement taken from the inside of a pipe. A common method for sizing pipe.

A new system utilized in the Federal Housing Administration recommended criteria for impact sound insulation.

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

Descriptive of two or more materials which are not suitable to be used together.

Provision in a contract in which one party agrees to be financially responsible for specified types of damages, claims, or losses.

The interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the changes in monthly payments for an adjustable rate loan.

The process by which air leaks into a building. To find the infiltration heating load factor (HLF), the formula to account for the extra BTUs needed to heat the infiltrated air is BTU/HR = building volume x air changes x BTU/cu.ft/hr x TD (temperature difference).

An opening providing a means of entrance or intake.

A single figure rating which provides an estimate of the impact sound insulating performance of a floor-ceiling assembly.

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

In roofing, a drain positioned on a roof at some location other than the perimeter. It drains surface water inside the building through closed pipes to a drainage system.

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

Two or more lights of glass spaced apart and hermetically sealed to form a single-glazed unit with an air space between each light. Commonly called IG units.

Generally, any material which slows down or retards the flow or transfer of heat. Building insulation types are classified according to form as loose-fill, flexible, rigid, reflective,
and foamed-in-place. All types are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow (R-Value). In electrical contracting, rubber, thermoplastic, or asbestos wire covering. The thickness of insulation varies with wire size and type of material, application or other code limitations.

A rigid structural building board made of coarse wood or cane fiber in 1/2 and 25/32 inch thickness. It can be obtained in various size sheets, in various densities, and with several treatments.

Any of several specialized mechanical fasteners designed to hold insulation down to a steel or a nailable deck.

The cost paid to a lender for borrowed money.

Material used to cover the interior framed areas, or materials of walls and ceilings

Glazing infills set from the interior of the building.

In glazing, any material used to bond two lights of glass and/or plastic together to form a laminate.

Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.

Between two layers of roofing felts that have been laminated together.

Pipe thread sizing system. Also measurement of the outside diameter of a pipe.

In this system the roof membrane is laid directly on the roof deck, covered with extruded foam insulation and ballasted with stone, minimum of 1000 lbs. per square.

Lawn sprinkler system.

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.

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. See Monopost.

A rafter that spans the distance from the wall plate to a hip, or from a valley to a ridge.

The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening.

The space between the adjacent surfaces of two members or components joined and held
together by nails, glue, cement, mortar, or other means.

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

A material applied to threaded connections to help prevent leaks in plumbing. Also, in carpentry, a wet gypsum material applied to sheetrock joints.

A form of ownership in which the tenants own a property equally. If one dies, the other automatically inherits the entire property.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Thermometer scale on which a unit of measurement equals the Celsius degree.

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

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.

A defect frequently found in perimeter flashings arising from being stepped on or kicked. A small fracture of the base flashing in the area of the cant.

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.

One thousand watts. A kilowatt hour is the base unit used in measuring electrical consumption. Also see Watt.

The vertical 2×4 frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.

Compound formulated in a degree of firmness suitable for application with a putty knife such as used for face glazing and other sealant applications.

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

A heavy, water-resistant paper.

Architectural coating that is UV stable and suitable for exterior use on aluminum and other metal surfaces.

A standard in which one person’s labor is performed in one hour.

A ladder which is permanently attached to a building.

Two or more lights of glass permanently bonded together with one or more inter-layers.

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.”

Bonding together two or more layers of materials.

A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs.

To extend one material partially over another; also, the distance so extended.

An asphalt-based cement used to adhere overlapping plies of roll roofing.

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

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.

The most common wall finish prior to the introduction of drywall. Thin wood strips (lath) were nailed onto the framing as a base for the sand/lime plaster.

A framework of crossed wood or metal strips.

Bathroom or washroom sink.

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.

A malleable metal once extensively used for flashings.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk,
because their bodies are growing quickly.

See Downspout.

The sloping roof of a building addition, having its rafters or supports pitched against and supported by the adjoining wall of a building.

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

Nominal 1 inch-thick boards applied into notched studs diagonally.

Term use to describe any horizontal surface whereby all sides are at the same elevation.

A tool used to check for level.

A mortgage with identical monthly payments over the life of the loan.

A rod with graduated marks for measuring heights or vertical distances between given points and the line of sight of a leveling instrument. They are longer than a yardstick and are held by a surveyor in a vertical position.

An encumbrance that usually makes real or personal property the security for payment of a debt or discharge of an obligation.

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

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

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.

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

A monetary amount agreed upon by two parties to a contract prior to performance under the contract that specifies what a either party owes the other if that party defaults under the contract.

Generally applied to cast-in-place concrete surfaces in one or more coats to provide fully-adhered waterproof membranes which conform to all contours.

(Not the beer!) Another term for a pane of glass. Also spelled “light” in industry literature.

Loads produced by use and occupancy of the building or other structure and do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, ice load, rain load, seismic load, or dead load.

A wall which is supporting its own weight and some other structural elements of the house such as the roof and ceiling structures.

The amount to be borrowed.

The ratio of the loan amount to the property valuation and expressed as a percentage; e.g. if a borrower is seeking a loan of $200,000 on a property worth $400,000 it has a 50% loan to value rate. If the loan were $300,000, the LTV would be 75%. The higher the loan to value, the greater the lender’s perceived risk. Loans above normal lending LTV ratios may
require additional security.

A short wood bracket or cantilever to support an overhang portion of a roof or the like, usually concealed from view.

In roofing, a membrane “laid loosely,” i.e. not adhered, over a roof deck or Burm.

A parcel of ground with boundaries determined by the county.

An opening with a series of horizontal slats arranged so as to permit ventilation but to exclude rain, sun. light, or vision. See also Attic Ventilators.

Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 2 and 4 inches per foot.

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

The product of the sawmill and planning mill not further manufactured other than by sawing, re-sawing, and passing lengthwise through a standard planning machine, crosscutting to length, and matching.

Principal vent to which branch vents may be connected. See Stack.

Pipe connection where the threads are on the outside of the fitting. See MIP.

See MIP

A roof which rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. The sloping roofs on all four sides have two pitches, the lower pitch usually very steep and the upper pitch less steep.

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

A wood product such as a truss, beam, Glue Lam 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. See Oriented Strand Board.

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.

Tool shaped like a chisel to trim brick or stone.

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.

An asphalt-based primer used to prepare masonry surfaces for bonding with other asphalt products.

Heavy-consistency compound that may remain adhesive and pliable with age. Is typically a waterproof compound applied to exterior walls and roof surfaces.

Lumber that is dressed and shaped on one edge in a grooved pattern and on the other in a tongued pattern.

The maximum number of people permitted in a room. It is measured per foot for each width of exit door. The maximum is 50 per foot of exit.

A lien on real property, created by statue in many years, in favor of persons supplying labor or materials for a building or structure for the value of labor or materials supplied by them. In some jurisdictions, a mechanics lien also exists for the value of professional services. Clear title to the property cannot be obtained until the claim for the labor, materials, or professional services is settled. Timely filing is essential to support the encumbrance, and prescribed filing dates vary by jurisdiction.

The temperature at which solid asphalt becomes a liquid.

A generic term relating to a variety of sheet goods used for certain built-up roofing repairs and application.

Brake metal or metal extrusions which are secured at the perimeter of the roof to form a weather-tight seal.

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.

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 saw lumber. Normally comes in l ½” thickness’ and 9 ½”, 11 ½” and 14″ widths.

Spreading or creeping of a constituent of a compound onto/into adjacent surfaces. See bleeding.

Measurement used to determine thickness of a coating. 1 mil = .001 inch (1/1000).

Plastic, transparent copies of a blueprint.

Generally, all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants and planning mills are included under the term “millwork.” It includes such items as inside and outside doors, window and doorframes, blinds, porch work, mantels, panel work, stairways, moldings, and interior trim. It normally does not include flooring, ceiling, or siding.

A by-product of petroleum, clear in color, used as a solvent for asphalt coatings.

Finely ground limestone, slate, traprock or other inert materials added to asphalt coatings for durability and increased resistance to fire and weathering.

Asphalt shingles and roll roofing that are covered with granules.

A smaller variation of a widespread faucet with separate spout and handles designed small enough to fit 4″ center-to-center faucet holes.

Standard threads that are on the outside of a pipe or fitting.

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.

A valve that mixes hot and cold water in the valve to obtain a set temperature prior to delivery.

Durable one-coat application prolongs the life of mobile home roofs while reflecting sun’s rays and providing a decorative surface. Reduces energy costs.

Controlled air, water and structural performance testing of existing or new glazing systems.

A roof covering that is typically composed of a factory- fabricated composite sheet consisting of a copolymer-modified bitumen, often reinforced with polyester and/or fiberglass, and installed in one or more plies. The membrane is commonly surfaced with field-applied coatings, factory-applied granules or metal foil. The roofing system may incorporate rigid insulation.

Stress at a given strain. Also tensile strength at a given elongation.

Weight of the water contained in the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.

A wood strip having a coned or projecting surface used for decorative purposes, e.g., door and window trim.

A large structure rising above the surrounding roof planes, designed to give light and/or ventilation to the building interior.

Adjustable metal column used to support a beam or bearing point. Normally 11 gauge or Schedule 40 metal, and determined by the structural engineer.

In roofing, a layer of hot bitumen mopped between plies of roofing felt. Full mopping is the application of bitumen by mopping in such a manner that the surface being mopped is entirely coated with a reasonably uniform coating. Spot Mopping is the procedure of applying
hot bitumen in a random fashion of small daubs, as compared to full mopping. Sprinkle
mopping is a special application of installing insulation to the decks. It is done by dipping a roof mop into hot bitumen and sprinkling the material onto the deck. Strip Mopping is the
application of bitumen in parallel bands.

Type M is suitable for general use and is recommended specifically for masonry below grade and in contact with earth, such as foundations, retaining walls and walks. Type M is the strongest type. Type S is suitable for general use and is recommended where high resistance to lateral forces is required. Type N is suitable for general use in exposed masonry above grade and is recommended specifically for exterior walls subject to severe exposures. Type O is recommended for load-bearing walls of solid units where the compressive stresses do not exceed 100 lbs. per square inch and the masonry wall not be subjected to freezing and thawing in the presence of excessive moisture.

Loan secured by land.

A broker who represents numerous lenders and helps consumers find affordable mortgages; the broker charges a fee only if the consumer finds a loan.

A company that borrows money from a bank, lends it to consumers to buy homes, then sells the loans to investors.

Legal document establishing a loan on property.

A charge for work involved in preparing and servicing a mortgage application (usually one percent of the loan amount).

The lender who makes the mortgage loan.

A slot cut into a board, plank, or timber, usually edgewise, to receive tenon of another board, plank, or timber to form a joint.

Cracks developing from the normal shrinkage of an emulsion coating when applied too heavily.

A wood foundation member, usually a pressure treated 2×4 or 2×6, bolted to the foundation and on which other framing members can be attached.

Horizontal or vertical bars that divide the sash frame into smaller lights of glass. Muntins are smaller in dimensions and weight than mullions.

A vertical bar or divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings that supports and holds such items as panels, glass, sash, or sections of a curtain wall.

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

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

A Maryland based charitable organization funded by members of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

A piece of lumber secured to non-nailable decks and walls by bolts or other means, which
provides a suitable backing onto which roof components may be mechanically fastened.

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.

A base coat plaster which does not contain aggregates and is used where the addition of aggregates on the job is desired.

A set of rules governing safe wiring methods. Local codes— which are backed by law—may differ from the NEC in some ways.

A synthetic rubber having physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber. It is made by polymerizing chloroprenes, which are produced from acetylene and hydrogen chloride.

A method of re-roofing with new asphalt shingles over old shingles in which the top edge of the new shingles is butted against the bottom edge of the existing shingle tab.

Usually color-coded white, the neutral wire carries electricity from an outlet back to the service panel. Also see Hot Wire and Ground.

A post to which the end of a stair railing or balustrade is fastened. Also, any post to which a railing or balustrade is fastened.

A short pipe installed between fittings. A pipe coupling that is threaded on both ends.

A type of Romex cable (nonmetallic sheathed cable that contains several conductors). The
cable, which is flame-retardant, is limited to use in dry locations only and can not be exposed to excessive moisture.

A type of Romex cable (nonmetallic sheathed cable that contains several conductors). NMC may be used in damp or corrosive locations as well as dry areas.

Shingles consisting of a single, solid tab with no cutouts.

Size used for identification only; not literal dimensions.

A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.

A phrase describing a method of examining the interior of a component whereby no damage is done to the component itself.

A sealant that does not set up or cure. See Butyl.

Thin but efficient reflective barrier to reflect sun’s harmful rays and prolong surface life. Also works on metal surfaces.

A sealant formulation having a consistency that will permit application in vertical joints without appreciable sagging or slumping. This performance characteristic allows the
sealant to be installed in a sloped or vertical joint application without appreciable sagging or
slumping.

Descriptive of a product that does not form a surface skin.

Characteristic of a compound that will not stain a surface.

Any wood-based panel that does not contain veneer and carries an APA span rating, such as wafer board or oriented strand board.

Dual purposed, this thin-viscosity material doubles as a nonfibered roof or foundation coating.

Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 4 inches and 21 inches per foot.

The projecting edge of a molding or drip. Usually applied to the projecting molding on the edge of a stair tread.

A crosswise rabbet at the end of a board.

A formal document showing the existence of a debt and stating the terms of repayment.

The tubular tip of a caulking gun through which the compound is extruded.

A device used to detect moisture by measuring slowed, deflected neutrons.

Round rubber washer or gasket that is compressed to create a watertight seal, typically in a compression fitting.

A molding with a profile in the form of a letter S; having the outline of a reversed curve.

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

A measurement of the diameter of a pipe as taken from the outside edge. A common method for sizing pipe.

A tubular component which permits the offsetting of a drainage run in the same basic direction.

States that, in a given electrical circuit, the amount at current in amps is equal to the pressure in volts divided by the resistance in ohms. The formula is: I (Current) = V voltage or
V = I x R R resistance or R = V/I.

In electrical contracting, a device to measure the resistance across a load. They are never used on a live circuit. Used to track down broken wires.

The term describing distortion of thin-gauge metal panels which are fastened in a manner restricting normal thermal movement.

A measurement term meaning a certain distance between like materials. Studs rafters, joists, and the like in a building placed at 16 inches O.C. will be laid out so that there is 16 inches from the center of one stud to the center of the next.

When an engineer (or municipal inspector) inspects the open excavation and examines the earth to determine the type of foundation (caisson, footer, wall on ground, etc.) that should be installed in the hole.

Method of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are trimmed along a chalk line snapped on each side of the valley. Shingles do not extend across the valley. Valley flashing is exposed.

Method of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are trimmed along a chalk line snapped on each side of the valley. Shingles do not extend across the valley. Valley flashing is exposed.

A term designating any chemical compound which contains carbon and hydrogen.

An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from cellulose fibers.

A manufactured wood panel made out of 1″- 2″ wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing.

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.

To combine with oxygen in the air.

That part of the roof structure which extends horizontally beyond the vertical plane of the exterior walls of a building.

P-shaped section of drain pipe that prevents sewer odors from escaping into your home. Water is trapped in the pipe blocking gases from escaping through the drain.

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

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

A combination of pigments with suitable thinners or oils to provide decorative and protective coatings.

Wooden platforms used for storing and shipping bundles of shingles.

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.

A low wall around the perimeter of a roof deck.

A thin application of plaster for coating a wall.

The area in front of a building between the sidewalk and the street usually landscaped with grass. The parking strip serves as a buffer between the road and pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.

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

A wall that subdivides spaces within any story of a building.

A type of rolled glass having a pattern impressed on one or both sides. Used extensively for light control, bath enclosures and decorative glazing. Sometimes call “rolled,” “figured,” or “obscure” glass.

Usually pre-cast concrete slabs used to create a traffic surface.

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. Payments are often scheduled for the beginning of the month and allow the contractor to subcontractors and suppliers by the 10th of the month. There may also be a temporary ‘holdout’ at the end of the contract for any small items which have not been completed.

A lavatory in which the bowl is supported by a single pedestal leg.

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.

As applied to nails, it originally indicated the price per hundred. The term now serves as a measure of nail length and is abbreviated by the letter “D.”

A relatively small structure built above the plane of the roof.

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.

Guaranty by a surety company that if a contractor fails to perform under a contract, the surety company will complete the work.

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.

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 “daylighted” into a sump pit inside the home, and a sump pump is sometimes inserted into the pit to discharge any accumulation of water.

An aggregate formed by heating and expanding siliceous volcanic glass.

A measure of water vapor movement through a material (grains per square foot per hour per inch of mercury difference in vapor pressure).

The amount by which a material fails to return to its original dimensions after being deformed by an applied force or load.

A governmental authorization to perform a building process as in: Zoning\Use permit –
authorization to use a property for a specific use e.g. a factory, a single family residence etc. Grading permit – authorization to change the contour of the land. Septic permit – a health dept. 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.

Oxidation caused by rays of the sun.

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

A concrete block used to support foundation members such as posts, beams, girders and joist.

A powdered solid in suitable degree of subdivision for use in paint or enamel.

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

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

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

(a) 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. A term frequently used to designate coal tar pitch.

A container, usually formed of sheet metal, around supporting connections with roof-mounted machinery. Filling the container with pitch, or better yet, plastic roof cement, helps seal out water even when vibration is present.

An opening extending parallel to the annual rings of growth, that usually contains, or has contained, either solid or liquid pitch.

The small, soft core at the original center of a tree around which wood formation takes place.

Principal, interest, taxes and insurance (the four major components of monthly housing payments).

Submission of construction plans to the city or county in order to obtain a Building Permit.

See Blue Prints.

Strips of wood used as guides or strike off edges around window and door openings and at base of walls.

Used as a waterproofing medium in new construction and as a general-purpose exterior repair and maintenance material. Stops roof and other leaks fast. Available in both summer and winter grades.

A map of a geographical area as recorded by the county.

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.

The top horizontal line of a building wall upon which the roof rests.

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. (Usually one story constitutes a platform.)

Chamber or container for moving air under a slight positive pressure to which one or more ducts are connected.

A bird’s eye view showing how a building sits on the building lot, typically showing setbacks (how far the building must sit from the road), easements, rights of way, and drainage.

To cut a lengthwise groove in a board or plank.

Exactly perpendicular; vertical.

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

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

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

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

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.

A plumbing vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

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.

Plastic pipe used to collect and drain sewage waste.

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.

A layer in built-up roofing.

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.

A three-sided, U-shaped opening in a sash or frame to receive glazing infill. Contrasted to a rabbet, which is a two-sided, L-shaped sections as with face glazed window sash.

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

The process where joints between masonry units, brick, etc., are filled with mortar.

Wired glass that has been ground and polished on both surfaces.

A substance consisting of large molecules which have been formed from smaller molecules of similar make-up.

Polysulfide liquid polymer sealant which is mercaptan terminated, long chain aliphatic polymers containing disulfide linkages. They can be converted to rubbers at room temperature without shrinkage upon addition of a curing agent.

An organic compound formed by reaction of a glycol with an isocyanate.

Polymer formed by polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer. Sometimes called vinyl.

A condition where water stands on a roof for prolonged periods due to poor drainage and/or deflection of the deck.

Fasteners used to join pieces of metal that are installed by either compressed-air-assisted or hand-operated guns. Unique in that they are installed from one side of the work.

See Stucco Pop-Out.

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.

The density of substance and its capacity to pass liquids.

A mixture of certain minerals which when mixed with water form a gray colored paste and cure into a very hard mass.

A vertical member of wood, steel, concrete or other material that transfers weight from the top of the post to whatever the post is resting on.

Most common type of wall framing, using posts which carry horizontal beams on which joists are supported. It allows for fewer bearing partitions and less material.

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

The time interval following the addition of an accelerator before chemically curing material will become too viscous to apply satisfactorily. See Shelf Life.

Water that is safe to drink.

A technique for applying paint to metal surfaces. The metal is covered with a powder of dry paint particles and is baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and harden into a tough, colorful finish.

The energy rate, usually measured in watts. Power equals voltage times amps, or W = E x
1. The heavier the flow of amps at a given supply, the higher the rate at which energy is being supplied and used.

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

A sealant having a pre-formed shape containing solids or discrete particles that limit its deformation under compression.

Concrete building components which are formed and cured at a factory and then transported to a work site for erection.

Amount payable on a loan.

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.

Used in conjuction with wells to maintain pressure.

Valve installed in the water service line where it enters the building to reduce the pressure of water in the line to an acceptable pressure used in buildings (40-55 psi desired).

Valve to relieve excess pressure in water storage tanks.

Lumber that is treated in such a way that the sealer is forced into the pores of the wood.

A material of relatively thin consistency applied to a surface for the purpose of creating a more secure bonding surface and to form a barrier to prevent migration of components. 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.

Sealing of a porous surface so that compounds will not stain, lose elasticity, shrink excessively, etc. because of loss of oil or vehicle into the surround.

The original amount of the loan, the capital.

In roofing, any object or equipment which pierces the roof membrane.

A survey to determine the boundaries of a property. The cost depends on the complexity of the survey.

In roofing, heavy asphalt impregnated boards which are laid over bituminous coatings to protect against mechanical injury.

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

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

To inspect and make a discrepancy list.

A horizontal structural member spanning between beams or trusses to support a roof deck. In slope glazing, purlins are the horizontal framing members.

In hardware, a tool used when cutting a short board on a table saw.

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.

A very durable titanium or zirconium coating that resists tarnish, scratches, and corrosion. It is used mostly to protect faucets with a brass finish.

A type of white plastic pipe sometimes used for water supply lines.

Architectural coating. See Kynar Coating.

A man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally, 6″X6″X1/4″ thick.

A small molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle.

Another term for edge grain.

An asphalt-based cement used to adhere tabs of strip shingles to the course below. Also used to adhere roll roofing laps applied by the concealed nail method.

A price provided by a contractor, sub-contractor, or vendor to furnish materials, labor and/or both. Quotes differ from estimates in that an estimate is a best guess of the cost involved.

The thermal resistance of a glazing system. The R-value is the reciprocal of the U-value. The higher the R value, the less heat is transmitted throughout the glazing material.

A rectangular, longitudinal groove cut in the corner edge of a board or plank.

A circular saw which hangs from a horizontal arm or beam and slides back and forth. The arm pivots from side to side to allow for angle cuts and bevels. When sawing finish plywood, the good side should face up as the saw cuts on the down stroke.

Any heated surface loses heat to cooler surrounding space or surfaces through radiation. The earth receives its heat from the sun by radiation. The heat rays are turned into heat as they strike an object which will absorb some or all of the heat transmitted.

A heating unit which is supplied heat through a hot water system.

A naturally-occurring, radioactive gas which is heavier than air and is common in many
parts of the country. Radon gas exposure is associated with lung cancer. Mitigation measures may involve crawl space and basement venting and various forms of vapor barriers.

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.

A sloping roof member that supports the roof covering which extends from the ridge or the hip of the roof to the eaves. A common rafter is one which runs square with the plate and
extends to the ridge. A hip rafter extends from the outside angle of the plate towards the apex of the roof. They are 2″ deeper or wider than common rafters. A valley rafter extends from an inside angle of the plates toward the ridge of the house.

The portion of a rafter that extends past the building to form the eaves.

A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle.

A rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle. The valley rafter is normally made of double 2-inch-thick members.

A specially designed masonry block having a slot or opening into which the top edge of the roof flashing is inserted and anchored.

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.

Black, tar and preservative impregnated, 6″x8″ and 6′-8′ long wooden timber that was used to hold railroad track in place. Normally used as a member of a retaining wall.

Trim members that run parallel to the roof slope and form the finish between the wall and a gable roof extension. The angle of slope of a roof rafter, or the inclined portion of a cornice.

The overhang of an inclined roof plane beyond the vertical wall below it.

The vertical face of the sloping end of a roof eave.

The practice of installing lap siding diagonally.

A single story, one level home.

Shingles on which tabs vary in size and exposure.

Thermometer scale on which unit of measurement equals the Fahrenheit degree.

The crude product processed from flaxseed and usually without much subsequent treatment.

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

Reinforcing bar used to increase the tensile strength of concrete.

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.

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

Blueprints that reflect changes and that are marked with red pencil.

See bushing.

Glass with a metallic coating to reduce solar heat gain.

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.

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.

A fixture through which conditioned air flows. In a gravity heating system, it is located near the baseboard. In an air conditioning system, it is located close to the thermostat.

To replace a broken window.

A horizontal slot formed or cut in a parapet or other masonry wall, into which the top edge of counterflashing can be inserted and anchored. In glazing, a Reglet is typically a pocket or
keyway extruded into the framing for installing the glazing gaskets.

A combination of steel and concrete using the best properties of each. The steel consists of rebar or reinforcing bars varying from 3/8” to 2 1/4” in diameter and is placed before concrete is poured.

Masonry units, reinforcing steel, grout and/or mortar combined to act together to strengthen the masonry structure.

Steel rods or metal fabric placed in concrete slabs, beams, or columns to increase their strength.

The amount of heat gain through a glass product taking into consideration the effects of solar heat gain (shading coefficient) and conductive heat gain (U-value).

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.)

A plastic or paper strip that is applied to the back of self-sealing shingles. This strip prevents the shingles from sticking together in the bundles and need not be removed for application.

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 homeowners usage of the service.

A durable floor cover that has the ability to resume its original shape.

The internal structure of wires even in the best conductors opposes the flow of electric current and converts some current into heat. This internal friction-like effect is called resistance and is measured in ohms. Resistance equals Voltage divided by Amperage.

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.

A structure that holds back a slope and prevents erosion.

Amounts withheld from progress billings until final and satisfactory project completion.

In heating and cooling systems, a vent that returns cold air to be warmed. In a hot air furnace system, it is located near an inside wall.

Normally a 1″x4″ board let into the studs horizontally to support ceiling or second-floor joists.

The horizontal line at the junction of the top edges of two sloping roof surfaces.

The board placed on edge at the ridge of the roof into which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened.

The end cut on a rafter that fits to the ridgeboard.

Horizontal support at the ridge of a roof to which opposing rafters are attached.

This conduit resembles plumbing pipe, protecting wires from damage.

In stairs, the vertical height of a step or flight of stairs.

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

An aggregate mixture of sand and stone.

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

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.

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

A non-metallic sheathed cable consisting of two or more insulated conductors having an outer sheath of moisture resistant, non-metallic material. The conductor insulation is rubber,
neoprene, thermoplastic or a moisture resistant flame-retardant fibrous material. There are two types: NM and NMC – described earlier.

See deck.

The boards or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid.

General term referring to the waterproof covering, roof insulation, vapor barrier, if used and roof deck as an entity.

An asphalt-saturated tape used with asphalt cements for flashing and patching asphalt roofing.

Food storage area with a dirt floor.

In hardware, metal fastenings on cabinets which are usually concealed, like staples.

Materials used to form an unfinished floor. Floor sheathing.

The opening in a wall into which a door or window is to be installed.

All plumbing that should be done before the finish trades (sheetrock, painting, etc), including all waste lines and supply water lines that are in the walls or framing of the building. See also: Plumbing, Sub Rough, and Finish Plumbing.

Revolutions per Minute.

Paint, the vehicle of which consists of rubber or synthetic rubber dispersed in fine droplets in water.

A roller with rubber tires commonly used for compacting trimmed subgrade or aggregate base or clay type soils.

The horizontal distance between the eaves and the ridge of the roof, being half the span for a symmetrical gable roof. Also, the net width of a step or the horizontal distance covered by a flight of stairs.

A saw that cuts on the upstroke, good side of wood faces down.

The amount of Portland cement in a cubic yard of concrete mix. Generally, 5 or 6 sack is required in a foundation wall.

Two sloping surfaces meeting in a horizontal ridge, used between the back side of a chimney, or other vertical surface, and a sloping roof.

A contract between a buyer and seller which should explain: (1) What the purchase includes, (2) What guarantees there are, (3) When the buyer can move in, (4) What the closing costs are, and (5) What recourse the parties have if the contract is not fulfilled or if the buyer cannot get a mortgage commitment at the agreed upon time.

Lime mixed with sand, resulting in a textured finish.

A sewer system designed for the collection of waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry drains, and is usually not designed to handle storm water.

Used on the waste side of plumbing to keep effluent flowing the correct direction.

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.

A single light frame containing one or more lights of glass.

A device, usually operated by a spring or tensioned weatherstripping designed to counterbalance double-hung window sash.

Asphalt used to impregnate a felt-base material.

A felt which is impregnated with tar or asphalt.

Asphalt that has been combined with SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) polymers to increase its elasticity.

The relationship between actual measurements on a page of plans or blueprints and the actual measurements of the building represented by the plans or blueprints.

A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the windows, doors and mirrors.

The removal of all drywall material and debris after the home is “hung out” (installed) with drywall.

The first coat of plaster, which is scratched to form a bond for the second coat.

The wood or metal straightedge used to strike off or level newly placed concrete when doing cement work. Screeds can be the leveling device used or the form work used to level or establish the level of the concrete. Screeds can be hand used or mechanical.

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.

A woven or mat-type fabric that is used as a membrane sandwich between other material to provide reinforcement and stretch resistance.

An outlet in the wall of a building or a parapet wall for drainage of water from a flat roof.

A bricklayer’s cutting tool used for dressing and trimming brick to a special shape. It resembles a small pick.

An elastomeric material with adhesive qualities applied between components of a similar or dissimilar nature to provide an effective barrier against the passage of the elements.

A finishing material, either clear or pigmented, that is usually applied directly over uncoated wood for the purpose of sealing the surface.

Removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its serviceability.

The fixed part of a valve. The stem assembly will move up and down against the seat to open and close the valve.

A style of bathroom lavatory or kitchen sink with a finished lip or rim that installs on top of a counter without requiring a metal sink rim.

A term used to describe to a material which melts with the heat from the sun’s rays, and seals over cracks that were earlier formed from other causes. Some waterproof membranes
are self-healing.

A term used to describe a viscous material that is applied by pouring. In its uncured state, it spreads out evenly.

The unsurfaced strip along a sheet of roll roofing which forms the under portion at the lap in the application of the roof covering.

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.

In concrete application, when concrete is dropped directly with a flat chute causing the concrete to separate, usually occurring at a 1:2 slope.

In electrical contracting, the supply conductors that extend from the street main or from the transformer to the service equipment.

In electrical contracting, the overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building.

A thermostat with a clock which can be programmed to various temperatures at different times of the day/week. Usually used as the heating or cooling system thermostat.

Generally rectangular cured extrusions of neoprene, EPDM, silicone, rubber or other suitable material on which the glass product bottom edge is placed to effectively support the weight of the glass.

Shifts in a structure, usually caused by freeze-thaw cycles underground.

A pump used to ‘lift’ waste water to a gravity sanitary sewer line. Usually used in basements and other locations which are situated below the level of the side sewer.

The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior waste water lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually ‘owned’ by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors. Sometimes called side sewer.

The junction at the municipal sewer system where the home’s sewer line is connected.

The physical connection point where the home’s sewer line connects to the main municipal sewer line.

Slight differences in shingle color that may occur as a result of normal manufacturing operations.

The ratio of the solar heat gain through a specific glass product to the solar heat gain through a lite of 1/8″ (3mm) clear glass.

A thick handsplit shingle, resawed to form two shakes: usually edge grained.

The structural covering, usually wood boards, plywood, gypsum or wood fiber, used over studs or rafters of framed buildings as the first layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs or rafters.

A building material, generally paper or felt, used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and sometimes moisture.

A roof having only one slope or pitch, with only one set of rafters which fall from a higher to a lower wall.

The heating system. Usually round or rectangular metal pipes and sheet metal (for return Aar) and installed for distributing warm (or cold) air from the furnace to rooms in the home.

All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts.

Panels made primarily from gypsum installed over the framing to form the interior walls and ceilings. Sheetrock is often called gypsum board.

Used in the glazing and sealant business to refer to the length of time a product may be stored before beginning to lose its effectiveness. Manufacturers usually state the shelf life and the necessary storage conditions on the package.

A transparent coating made by dissolving lac, a resinous secretion of the lac bug (a scale
insect that thrives in tropical countries, especially India), in alcohol.

Roof covering of asphalt, wood, tile, slate, or other material cut to stock lengths, widths, and thicknesses, which are laid in a series of overlapping rows as a roof covering on pitched roofs.

Lumber that is edge-dressed to make a close rabbeted or lapped joint.

Measure of firmness of a compound by means of a Durometer Hardness Gauge. A hardness range of 20-25 is about the firmness of an art gum eraser. A hardness of about 90 is about the firmness of a rubber heel.

A temporary support erected in a trench or other excavation to support the walls from caving in.

A situation that occurs when hot and neutral wires come in contact with each other. Fuses and circuit breakers protect against fire that could result from a short.

The valve that allows water supply to be cut off to one fixture without affecting the water supply to the entire house or building. Common for use with clawfoot tubs, sinks, and toilets.

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.

The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior wastewater lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually ‘owned’ by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors. Sometimes called sewer lateral.

The finish covering of the outside wall of a frame building, whether made of horizontal weatherboards, vertical boards with battens, shingles, or other material.

The line along the perimeter of glazing infills corresponding to the top edge of stationary and removable stops. The line to which sealants contacting the glazing infill are sometimes finished off.

A sealant having as its chemical compound a backbone consisting of alternating silicon-oxygen atoms.

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
in a door sill, windowsill, etc.

An exterior water faucet (hose bib).

The framing member anchored to the foundation wall upon which studs and other framing members will be attached. It is the bottom plate of exterior walls.

Fiberglass or foam insulation installed between the foundation wall and sill (wood) plate. Designed to seal any cracks or gaps.

A material placed between the top of the foundation wall and the sill plate. Usually a foam strip, the sill sealer helps make a better fit and eliminate water problems.

The first step coming directly off a building at the door openings.

Asphalt roofing that provides one layer of roofing material over the deck.

A house built for the purpose of a single family as opposed to multi families such as a duplex or apartment complex.

A descriptive term signifying a roof membrane composed of only one layer of material such as EPDM, Hypalon or PVC.

The name given to a type of precast concrete deck which has one stiffening rib integrally cast into slab.

The normal base for shake, shingle and some tile roofs. 1″x4″ or similar sized boards are nailed at 90-degree angles to the rafters leaving a space of about 4″ between each row and allowing for better ventilation.

A type of skylight exhibiting a characteristic translucent plastic domed top.

A structure on a roof that is designed to admit light and is somewhat above the plane of the roof surface.

A type of construction in which footings are needed but little or no foundation wall is poured.

Concrete pavement, i.e. driveways, garages, and basement floors.

A rectangular door without hinges or frame.

A by-product of smelting ore such as iron, lead or copper. Also overburden/dropping from
welding which may burn, melt, or discolor adjacent surfaces.

A dark gray stratified stone cut relatively thin and installed on pitched roofs in a shingle like fashion.

Usually, a wood member embedded in concrete, as in a floor, that serves to support and to fasten subfloor or flooring.

Pipe installed under the concrete driveway or sidewalk, and that will be used later to run sprinkler pipe or low voltage wire.

Incline or pitch of roof surface.

Any installation of glass that is at a slope of 15 degrees or more from vertical.

Term for the waste material found in sump pump pits, septic systems and gutters.

The “wetness” of concrete. A 3 inch slump is dryer and stiffer than a 5 inch slump.

Measures the consistency of a concrete mix or its stiffness. If the tests results are high, one likely cause would be too much water. Low slump test results mean not enough water. The test is measured in inches.

Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules.

The underside of an overhanging cornice of a building extending out from the plane of the building walls.

The temperature at which a substance changes from a hard material to a softer and more viscous material.

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.

A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping.

Bottom horizontal member of a frame wall.

A solid member placed between adjacent floor joists near the center of the span to prevent joists from twisting.

Round, large cardboard tubes designed to hold wet concrete in place until it hardens.

Sound proofing a wall or subfloor, generally with fiberglass insulation.

Heat supplied to the living space, for example, to a room or the living area of a building.

Small blocks of neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other suitable material placed on each side of the glass product to provide glass centering, maintain uniform width of sealant bead and prevent excessive sealant distortion.

The chipping or flaking of concrete, bricks, or other masonry where improper drainage or venting and freeze/thaw cycling exists.

The horizontal distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams,
girders, and trusses.

The panels of a wall located between vision areas of windows, which conceal structural columns, floors, and shear walls.

A house built before it is sold. The builder speculates that he can sell it at a profit.

A self-adhering waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect against water infiltration due to ice damage or wind- driven rain.

Detailed written instructions which, when clear and concise, explain each phase of work to be done.

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.

The formation of long cracks completely through a membrane. Splits are frequently associated with lack of allowance for expansion stresses. They can also be a result of deck
deflection or change in deck direction.

The removal of gravel or heavy accumulations of bitumen from roof membranes by means of chipping or scraping.

A unit of measure, e.g. 100 square feet, usually applied to roofing material. Sidewall coverings are sometimes packed to cover 100 square feet and are sold on that basis.

Coverage measured by multiplying width by length. An area 5 foot long and 7 foot wide is equal to 35 square foot.

Fine pea gravel used to grade a floor (normally before concrete is placed).

The vertical pipe of a system of soil, waste or vent piping.

Also called a waste vent or soil vent, it is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.

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.

Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2-inch plank notched to receive the treads; sometimes called a “rough horse.”

One of the more common basic and minimum construction standards. This is another way of saying that the work should be done in the way it is normally done by the average professional in the field.

A type of joint often used on metal roofs.

The total amount of permanent non-moving weight that is applied to given surface areas.

A vent that does not include a fan.

A single number rating derived from individual transmission losses at specified test frequencies. It is used for interior walls, ceilings and floors.

A municipal and/or engineer’s inspection of the concrete foundation wall, conducted before concrete is poured into the foundation panels. Done to ensure that the rebar (reinforcing bar), rebar nets, void material, beam pocket plates, and basement window bucks are installed and wrapped with rebar and complies with the foundation plan.

Tool used for non-porous smooth finishes of concrete. It is a flat steel tool used to spread and smooth plaster, mortar or concrete. Pointing trowels are small enough to be used in
places where larger trowels will not fit. The pointing trowel has a point. The common trowel has a rectangular blade attached to a handle. For smooth finish, use a trowel when the concrete begins to stiffen.

A small shaft or rod that projects through the faucet valve and to which the handle is installed.

The moving part of a valve that controls the amount and temperature of water released by moving up and down against the seat to open and close the valve.

Hairline, “staircase”-type steps near the corners of the foundation, usually due to normal soil settlement. Larger such cracks may indicate ongoing movement or sinking of the foundation and are much graver.

Individual small pieces of metal flashing material used to flash around chimneys, dormers, and such projections along the slope of a roof. The individual pieces are overlapped and stepped up the vertical surface.

A house built without prefabricated parts. Also called conventional building.

An upright framing member in a panel door.

The reduction of the amount of sound energy passing through a wall, floor, roof, etc. It is related to the specific frequency at which it is measured, and it is expressed in decibels. Also called “Transmission Loss.”

A flat molding fitted over the windowsill between jambs and contacting the bottom rail of the lower sash.

See shutoff valve.

Normally a cast iron pipe with a lid (5″ in diameter) that is placed vertically into the ground, situated near the water tap in the yard, and where a water cut-off valve to the home is located (underground). A long pole with a special end is inserted into the curb stop to turn off/on the water.

A formal, written notification to a contractor to discontinue some or all work on a project for reasons such as safety violations, defective materials or workmanship, or cancellation of the contract.

A panel or sash door placed on the outside of an existing door to provide additional protection from the elements.

An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

A sewer system designed to collect storm water and is separated from the waste water system.

A glazed panel or sash placed on the inside or outside of an existing sash or window as additional protection against the elements.

That part of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above.

A shutoff valve that is installed on a supply line between the floor and the faucet or toilet. Unlike an angle stop, a straight stop does not change the direction of water flow.

The percentage of elongation or compression of a material or portion of a material caused by an applied force.

A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest; also Stringboard.

The operation of smoothing off excess compound or sealant at sight line when applying same around lites or panels.

A nylon line usually strung tightly between supports to indicate both direction and elevation, used in checking grades or deviations in slopes or rises. Used in landscaping to level the ground.

Wood flooring consisting of narrow, matched strips.

A framed lumber floor that is installed as a basement floor instead of concrete. This is done on very expansive soils.

The use of a silicone sealant for the structural transfer of loads from the glass to its perimeter support system and retention of the glass in the opening.

See Rough-In.

A type of exterior finish. Most commonly refers to an outside plaster made with Portland cement as its base.

One of a series of wood or metal vertical structural members placed as supporting elements
in walls and partitions.

A building method that distributes structural loads to each of a series of relatively lightweight studs. Contrasts with Post-and-Beam.

A metal, structural bracket that reinforces a vertical stud. Used on an outside bearing wall where holes are drilled to accommodate a plumbing waste line.

That part of a building’s plumbing system that is done before the cement is poured.

A contractor who specializes in a particular trade such as waterproofing.

A part or substance which lies below and supports another.

Pit or large plastic bucket/barrel inside the home designed to collect ground water from a perimeter drain system.

A submersible pump in a sump pit that pumps any excess ground water to the outside of the home.

A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing.

Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally on the inside of a wall from bottom to top plate, to prevent the wall from twisting, racking, or falling over “domino” fashion.

A device that completes or disconnects an electrical circuit.

A ribbed “T” shaped bar with a flat metal plate at the bottom that is driven into the earth. Normally used with chain link fence poles, and to mark locations of a water meter pit.

The exposed portion of strip shingles defined by cutouts.

A relatively short beam or joist supported in a wall on one end and by a header at the other.

The tubular part of a lavatory drain that runs from the drain flange to the trap.

The material necessary to complete a job.

Applying joint tape over embedding compound in the process of joint treatment of drywall.

In roofing, a term used to describe the complete removal of the built-up roof membrane and insulation down to and exposing the roof deck.

Metal straps that are nailed to secure the roof rafters and trusses to the top horizontal wall
plate. Sometimes called a Hurricane Clip.

A T-shaped fitting with three openings.

Strengthened. Tempered glass will not shatter nor create shards but will “pelletize” like an automobile window. Required in tub and shower enclosures, entry door glass, sidelight glass and in windows where the windowsill is less than 16″ to the floor.

A shield, usually of non-corrodible metal, placed in or on a foundation wall or other mass of masonry or around pipes to prevent passage of 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 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.

Sheet iron or steel coated with an alloy of lead and tin.

A ceramic material molded into masonry units.

Paint which may be manipulated by brush, trowel or other to give various patterns.

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.

The measured amount of dimensional change that a material exhibits as it is warmed or cooled.

The stress built up by sudden and appreciable changes in temperature.

Composed of a double layer of glass positioned side by side with a thin strip of foam material bonding the two layers of window glass together to form the storm window design.

Solid material which is softened by increasing temperatures and hardened by decreasing temperatures.

Exterior laminated sheathing nailed to the exterior side of the exterior walls. Normally ¼” thick, 4×8 or 4×10 sheets with an aluminumized surface.

A device which relegates the temperature of a room or building by switching heating or cooling equipment on or off.

A mixing valve that automatically maintains the temperature setting by regulating fluctuations in water temperature at the water inlets and immediately adjusting the ratio of hot and cold water that is discharged by the valve.

See Laminated Shingles.

In electrical contracting, a wiring system consisting of 4 wires and used in industrial and commercial applications. This system is suitable for installations requiring large motors. It consists of three hot wires and one ground wire. The voltage in each hot wire is out of phase with the others by 1/3 of a cycle, as if produced by 3 different generators.

A strip of wood or metal with beveled edges used over the finish floor and the sill of exterior doors.

Flashing extended completely through a masonry wall. Designed and applied in combination with counter-flashings, to prevent water which may enter the wall above from proceeding downward in the wall or into the roof deck or roofing system.

Moisture and heat resistant thermoplastic conductor. It is flame retardant, moisture and heat resistant and can be used in dry or wet locations.

In roofing, a term used to describe the joining of a new roof with the old.

Cast concrete units which are preformed which, when cured, are tilted to their vertical position and secured by mechanical fasteners to prior erected structural steel. May be pre-cast.

Yard lumber 5 or more inches in least dimension. Includes beams, stringers, posts, caps, sills, girders, and purlins.

A contract which specifies a price for different elements of the work such as: cost per hour of labor, overhead, profit etc. Such a contract may not have a maximum price or may state a ‘price not to exceed.’

Another name for the heating contractor.

Glass with colorants added to the basic glass batch that give the glass color as well as light and heat-reducing capabilities. The color extends throughout the thickness of the glass.

The downspout extension that directs water (from the home’s gutter system) away from the home. They typically swing up when mowing the lawn, etc.

Evidence (usually in the form of a certificate or deed) of a person’s legal right to ownership of a property.

A set of federal laws that mandates the construction industry to conserve energy.

Manufactured structural building component resembling the letter “I.” Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two key parts: flanges and webs. The flange may be made of laminated veneer lumber or dimensional lumber, usually formed into a 1½” width. The web 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” long.

Sealant applied at the intersection of the outboard glazing stop and the bottom of the glazing channel. It must be sized to provide a seal to the edge of the glass.