Glossary of Building Terms

This publication defines some terms used in home construction, repair and maintenance. It is not a comprehensive list but will provide a quick reference for homeowners who are unfamiliar with building terminology. The terms or spelling may very from country to country.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

This type of link at start of every letter. Or possibly a search feature? Italicised text to link with same name. (LINKS TO THE LETTERS) and links with back to top throughout.

A/C - An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning.

A/C Condenser - 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.

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

ACQ (Ammonium Copper Quaternary) - A commonly used pressure treatment wood preservative.

ACZA (Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate) - A new pressure-treated wood preservative.

Acoustical Tile - Special tile for walls and ceilings made of mineral, wood, vegetable fibres, cork, or metal. Its purpose is to control sound volume, while providing cover.

Aerator - The round-screened screw-on tip of a sink spout. It mixes water and air for a smooth flow.

Adhesion - The ability of a waterproof material to bond to a substrate or other material during movement or stress.

Adhesive Strength - The ability of sealants to bond to a particular substrate, including adhesion during substrate movement.

Aggregate - A mixture of sand and stone and a major component of concrete. (1) Crushed stone, crushed slag, or water-worn gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof; (2) any granular mineral material.

Air-dried lumber - Lumber that has been piled in yards or sheds for any length of time.

Air Duct - Pipes that carry warm air and cold air to rooms and back to furnace or air conditioning system.

Air Space - The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally, a 1" air gap.

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

Algae Discoloration - A type of roof discoloration caused by algae. Commonly called fungus growth.

Alligatoring - The cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a built-up roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligator's hide; the cracks may not extend through the surfacing bitumen.

Ampere - The rate of flow of electricity through electric wires.

Anchor bolts - Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall.

Application Rate - The quantity (mass, volume or thickness) of material applied per unit area.

Apron - A paved area, such as the juncture of a driveway with the street or with a garage entrance.

Apron - A trim board that is installed beneath a windowsill.

Architect - One who has completed a course of study in building and design, and is licensed by the state as an architect. One who draws up plans.

Architectural Shingles - See Laminated Shingles.

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

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

Astragal - A moulding, attached to one of a pair of swinging double doors, against which the other door strikes.

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

Attic Ventilators - In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate an attic space.

Aromatic Solvents - Hydrocarbon solvents comprised of organic compounds which contain an unsaturated ring of carbon atoms, including benzene, naphthalene and their derivatives.

Asbestos - A group of natural fibrous impure silicate materials.

Asphalt - A waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during manufacture. Based on natural oil or a petroleum component called bitumen, which liquefies when heated and is impervious to water.

Asphalt Felt - An asphalt-saturated felt.

Asphalt Mastic - A mixture of asphaltic material and graded mineral aggregate that can be poured when heated, but requires mechanical manipulation to apply.

Asphalt Plastic Roofing Cement - An asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as flashing cement or mastic; should conform to ASTM D-4586.

Asphaltite - natural asphalt found below ground level.

Astragal - A moulding, attached to one of a pair of swinging doors, against which the other door strikes.

Attic ventilators - In houses, screened opening) provided to ventilate an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet ventilators and in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators. They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an exhaust system. (See also Louver.)

Back Nailing - The practice of blind-nailing roofing felts to a substrate in addition to hot mopping to prevent slippage.

Back Surfacing - Fine mineral matter applied to the backside of shingles to keep them from sticking.

Backwater lap joint - A non-water shedding seam between building materials.

Backfill - The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement /crawl space foundation wall.

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

Backing - Frame lumber installed between the wall studs to give additional support for drywall or an interior trim related item, such as handrail brackets, cabinets, and towel bars. In this way, items are screwed and mounted into solid wood rather than weak drywall that may allow the item to break loose from the wall. Carpet backing holds the pile fabric in place.

Baffles - Device to help achieve a ventilation space between insulation and roof sheathing. It helps ensure airflow from the eave vents in attics and cathedral ceilings.

Bald Roof - A smooth-surfaced roof.

Ballast - A transformer that steps up the voltage in a florescent lamp.

Balloon framed wall - Framed walls (generally over 10' tall) that run the entire vertical length from the floor sill plate to the roof. This is done to eliminate the need for a gable end truss.

Balusters - Vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads. Sometimes referred to as, 'pickets' or 'spindles'.

Balustrade - A row of balusters topped by a rail, edging a balcony or a staircase.

Band Board - Perimeter floor joist that sits atop the sill in a wood floor framing system.

Band Joist - Vertical member that forms the perimeter of a floor system in which the floor joists tie in. Also known as the rim joist.

Barge - Horizontal beam rafter that supports shorter rafters.

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

Barrel roof - a roof or ceiling having a semi cylindrical form.

Baseboard - A board along the floor against walls and partitions to hid gaps.

Base Flashing - That portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck to direct the flow of water onto the roof covering. Blisters or bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation.

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

Base moulding - Moulding used to trim the upper edge of interior baseboard.

Base Ply - The bottom or first ply in a built-up roofing membrane when additional plies are to be subsequently installed.

Base Sheet - A product that is intended to be used as a base ply in a built-up roofing system.

Base Shoe - Moulding used next to the floor on interior baseboard. Sometimes called a “carpet strip”.

Bat - A half-brick.

Batt - Insulation in the form of a blanket, rather than loose filling. A section of fibre-glass or rock-wool insulation measuring 15 or 23 inches wide by four to eight feet long and various thickness'. Sometimes "faced" (meaning to have a paper covering on one side) or "unfaced" (without paper).

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

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

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

Bead - A small amount of mastic, caulking or flashing cement applied to the waterproofing membrane at a termination, generally the width of a 1/2" caulking gun orifice.

Beam - A structural member transversely supporting a load. A structural member carrying building loads (weight) from one support to another. Sometimes called a "girder".

Bearing header - (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).

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

Bearing Wall - A wall that supports a floor or roof of a building.

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

Bed moulding - A moulding in an angle, as between the over hanging cornice, or eaves, of a building and the sidewalls.

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

Bib or Bibcock - a water faucet, to which a hose may be attached, also called a hose bib or sill cock.

Bid - 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.

Bid bond - 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.

Bid security - 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.

Bid shopping - 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.

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

Bi-fold door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.

Bi-Level - two-story house with the lower level sunken below grade and an entry at grade halfway between the two floor levels.

Bi-pass doors - Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet doors.

Bitumen - Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances, occurring naturally or obtained by distillation from coal or petroleum, that is a component of asphalt and tar and is used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing.

Bituminized - Impregnated with bitumen. Example: bituminized fibre pipe.

Bituminous - Containing or treated with bitumen.

Bituminous Emulsion - (1) a suspension of minute globules of bituminous material in water or in an aqueous solution; (2) a suspension of minute globules of water or of an aqueous solution in a liquid bituminous material (invert emulsion).

Bituminous Grout - A mixture of bituminous material and fine sand that will flow into place without mechanical manipulation when heated.

Blankets - Fibreglass or rock wool insulation that comes in long rolls 15 or 23 inches wide.

Bleeding - Seeping of resin or gum from lumber. This term is also used in referring to the process of drawing air from water pipes.

Blind Nailing - The use of nails that are not exposed to the weather in the finished roofing.

Blind stop - A rectangular moulding, 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.

Blister - (1) A raised portion of a roofing membrane resulting from local internal pressure; (2) The similarly formed protuberances in coated prepared roofing.

Blocked (door blocking) - Wood shims used between the doorframe and the vertical structural wall-framing members.

Blocked (rafters) - Short "2 by 4's" used to keep rafters from twisting, and installed at the ends and at mid-span.

Blocking - Wood built into a roofing system above the deck and below the membrane and flashing to a) stiffen the deck around an opening, b) act as a stop for insulation, c) serve as a nailer for attachment of the membrane or flashing.

Block out - 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, and to depress the concrete at a garage door location.

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

Blue print(s) - A type of copying method often used for architectural drawings. Usually used to describe the drawing of a structure, which is prepared by an architect or designer for the purpose of design and planning, estimating, securing permits and actual construction.

Blue stake - Another phrase for Utility Notification. This is 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 little flags to show where their service is located underground.

Blue stain - A bluish or greyish discoloration of the sapwood caused the growth of certain mould like fungi on the surface and in the interior of a piece, made possible by the same conditions that favour the growth of other fungi.

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

Bodied linseed oil - Linseed oil that has been thickened in viscosity by suitable processing with heat or chemicals. Bodied oils are obtainable in a great range in viscosity from a little greater than that of raw oil to just short of a jellied condition.

Boiled linseed oil - Linseed oil in which enough lead, manganese or cobalt salts have been incorporated to make the oil harden more rapidly when spread in thin coatings.

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

Boom - 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.

Bond - The adhesive and cohesive forces holding two roofing components in intimate contact.

Bond or bonding - 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'. Such bonds are rarely used in residential construction; they are an insurance policy, which guarantees proper completion of a project.

Bottom chord - The lower or bottom horizontal member of a truss.

Bottom Plate (Sole Plate) - The "2 by 4's or 6's" that lay on the sub floor upon which the vertical studs are installed. Also called the 'sole plate'.

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

Bow Window - same as a bay window, except that the projection is circular.

Brace - An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to strengthen the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed.

Braced Framing - Construction technique using posts and cross-bracing for greater rigidity.

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

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

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

Brick mould trim/Brick moulding - The wood moulding covering the gap between brick masonry and a door or window frame.

Brick Tie - A small, corrugated metal strip @ 1" X 6"- 8" long nailed to wall sheeting or studs. They are inserted into the grout mortar joint of the veneer brick, and holds the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.

Brick Veneer - A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or tile wall construction.

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

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

Buck - Often used in reference to rough frame opening members. Door bucks used in reference to metal doorframe.

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

Building codes - Community ordinances governing the manner in which a home may be constructed or modified.

Building insurance - Insurance covering the structure of the building.

Building Paper - A heavy, asphalt-impregnated paper used as a lining and/or vapour barrier between sheathing and an outside wall covering.

Built-Up Roof - 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.

Bull nose (drywall) - Rounded drywall corners.

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

Butt Edge - The lower edge of the shingle tabs.

Butt hinge - The most common type. One leaf attaches to the door's edge, the other to its jamb.

Butt Joint - The junction where the ends of two timbers meet, and also where sheets of drywall meet on the 4-foot edge. To place materials, end-to-end, or end-to-edge without overlapping.

By fold door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.

By pass doors - Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet doors.

BX Cable - Electricity cable wrapped in rubber with flexible steel outer covering.

CA-B (Copper Azole) - A new pressure-treated wood preservative.

CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) - A pesticide that is forced into wood under high pressure to protect it from termites, other wood boring insects, and decay caused by fungus. A historical and widely used pressure-treated wood preservative in residential construction prior to 01/01/2004.

CO - An abbreviation for "Certificate of Occupancy". This certificate is issued by the local municipality and is required before anyone can occupy and live within the home. It is issued only after the local municipality has made all inspections and all monies and fees have been paid.

Caisson - 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.

Cant Strip - A bevelled strip used under flashings to modify the angle at the point where the roofing or waterproofing membrane meets any vertical element.

Cantilever - A projecting beam or joist, not supported at one end, used to support an extension of a structure.

Cantilevered void - Foundation void material used in unusually expansive soils conditions. This void is "trapezoid" shaped and has vertical sides of 6" and 4" respectively.

Cap - The upper member of a column, pilaster, door cornice, moulding, and the like.

Cap Flashing - The portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing. Also see Flashing.

Cap Sheet - A granule-surfaced, coated felt used as the top ply of a built-up roofing membrane.

Capillary action/Capillarity - The rising of water above the horizontal plane of the water table.

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

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

Carriage - The member that supports the steps, or treads of a stair.

Casement - Frames of wood or metal enclosing part (or all) of a window sash. May be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.

Casement frames and sash - Frames of wood or metal enclosing part or the entire sash, which may be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.

Casement Window - A window with hinges on one of the vertical sides and swings open like a normal door.

Casing - Moulding of various widths and thicknesses used to trim door and window openings at the jambs.

Cationic Emulsion - An emulsion in which the emulsifying system establishes a predominance of positive charges on the discontinuous phase.

Caulk - To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.

Caulking - (1) A flexible material used to seal a gap between two surfaces e.g. between pieces of siding or the corners in tub walls. (2) To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt plastic cement to prevent leaks.

Cavity - The empty space between studs or joists to place insulation batts.

Cavity Wall - A hollow wall formed by firmly linked masonry walls, providing an insulating air space between.

Celotex ™ - Black fibrous board that is used as exterior sheathing.

Ceiling joist - 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.

Cement - The grey powder that is the "glue" in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive.

Cement - Asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as flashing cement or mastic; should conform to ASTM D-4586. Same as, Asphalt Flashing Cement.

Cement, Keene’s - A white finish plaster that produces an extremely durable wall. Because of its density, it excels for use in bathrooms and kitchens and is also used extensively for the finish coat in auditoriums, public buildings, and other places where walls may be subjected to unusually hard wear or abuse.

Ceramic tile - 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.

CFM (cubic feet per minute) - A rating that expresses the amount of air a blower or fan can move. The volume of air (measured in cubic feet) that can pass through an opening in one minute.

Chair rail - Interior trim material installed about 3-4 feet up the wall, horizontally. Wooden moulding on a wall around a room at the level of a chair back.

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

Chamfered Edge - Moulding with pared-off corners.

Change order - A written document, which modifies the plans and specifications and/or the price of the construction Contract.

Chase - A groove in a masonry wall or through a floor to accommodate pipes or ducts.

Chase - 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.

Checking - Fissures that appear with age in many exterior paint coatings, at first superficial, but which in time may penetrate entirely through the coating.

Checkrails - Meeting rails sufficiently thicker than a window to fill the opening between the top and bottom sash made by the parting stop in the frame of double-hung windows. They are usually bevelled.

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

Chimney Breast - The horizontal projection-usually inside a building-of a chimney from the wall in which it is built.

Chimney Cap - Concrete capping around the top of chimney bricks and around the floors to protect the masonry from the elements.

Chip Board - 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.

Circuit - The path of electrical flow from a power source through an outlet and back to ground.

Circuit Breaker - A device, which looks like a switch and is usually located inside the electrical breaker panel or circuit breaker box. It is designed to (1) shut of the power to portions or, the entire house and (2) to limit the amount of power flowing through a circuit (measured in amperes). 110-volt household circuits require a fuse or circuit breaker with a rating of 15 or a maximum of 20 amps. 220 volt circuits may be designed for higher amperage loads e.g. a hot water heater may be designed for a 30-amp load and would therefore need a 30 amp fuse or breaker.

Cistern - A tank to catch and store rainwater.

Class "A" - The highest fire-resistance rating for roofing. Indicates roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Class "B" - Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing materials are able to withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

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

Clapboard - A long thin board, thicker on one edge, overlapped and nailed on for exterior siding.

Clean out - An opening providing access to a drain line. Closed with a threaded plug.

Clerestory - a portion of an interior rising above adjacent rooftops and having windows admitting daylight to the interior.

Clip ties - Sharp, cut metal wires that protrude out of a concrete foundation wall (that at one time held the foundation form panels in place).

Closed Cut Valley - 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.

Coating - A layer of viscous asphalt applied to the base material into which granules or other surfacing is embedded.

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

Cold Applied - Capable of being applied without heating as contrasted with hot applied.

Cold Joint - A plane of weakness in concrete caused by an interruption or delay in the pouring operation, permitting the first batch to start setting before the next batch is added, with the result that the two batches have little or no bond.

Collar - Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.

Collar Beam - A horizontal tie beam in a roof truss that connects two opposite rafters at a level considerably above the wall plate. Nominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to stiffen the roof structure.

Column - In architecture: A perpendicular supporting member, circular or rectangular in section, usually consisting of a base, shaft, and capital. In engineering: A vertical structural compression member, which supports loads acting in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Compatibility - The ability of two or more substances to exist in harmony when mixed together or when brought into intimate contact without any adverse physical or chemical reaction.

Combination doors or windows - Combination doors or windows 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.

Combustion air - The ductwork 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.

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

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

Compressor - 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).

Concrete - The mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel, and water. Used to make garage and basement floors, sidewalks, patios, foundation walls, etc. It is commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).

Concrete block - A hollow concrete 'brick' often 8" x 8" x 16" in size.

Concrete board - A panel made out of concrete and fibreglass usually used as a tile backing material.

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

Condensation - In a building: Beads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior covering of a building when warm, moisture-laden air from the interior reaches a point where the temperature no longer permits the air to sustain the moisture it holds. Use of louvers or attic ventilators will reduce moisture condensation in attics. A vapour barrier under the gypsum lath or dry wall on exposed walls will reduce condensation in them.

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

Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC and Rs) - 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.

Conduction - The direct transfer of heat energy through a material.

Conductivity - The rate at which heat is transmitted through a material.

Conduit, electrical - A pipe, usually metal, in which wire is installed.

Construction Contract - A legal document which specifies the what-when-where-how-how much and by whom in a construction project. A good construction contract will include:

1. The contractor’s 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 construction timetable including starting and completion dates.
5. A set of Specifications.
6. A Fixed Price for the work, or a Time and Materials formula.
7. A Payment Schedule.
8. Any Allowances.
9. A clause, which outlines how any disputes, will be resolved.
10. A written Warrantee.

Construction, dry wall - A type of construction in which the interior wall finish is applied in a dry condition, generally in the form of sheet materials or wood paneling as contrasted to plaster.

Construction, frame - A type of construction in which the structural parts are wood or depend upon a wood frame for support. In codes, if masonry veneer is applied to the exterior walls, the classification of this type of construction is usually unchanged.

Construction Joint - A butted joint formed in a structural slab, so that one pour can be ended and another started at a later time.

Continuity tester - A device that tells whether a circuit is capable of carrying electricity.

Contractor - A company licensed to perform certain types of construction activities. In most states, the general 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.
Remodelling contractor - a general contractor who specializes in remodelling 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.

Control joint - Tooled, straight grooves made on concrete floors to "control" where the concrete should crack.

Convection - Currents created by heating air, which then rises and pulls cooler air behind it. Also see radiation.

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

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

Coped - 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.

Coped joint - Cutting and fitting woodwork to an irregular surface. See also Scribing.

Coping - A covering on top of a wall exposed to the weather, usually sloped to carry off water.

Coping - Tile or brick used to cap or cover the top of a masonry wall.

Corbel - A horizontal projection from a wall, forming a ledge or supporting a structure above it.

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

Corner Bead - A strip of formed sheet metal, sometimes combined with a strip of metal lath, placed on corners before plastering to reinforce them. Also, a strip of wood finish three-quarters-round or angular placed over a plastered corner for protection.

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

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

Cornerite - Metal-mesh lath cut into strips and bent to a right angle. Used in interior corners of walls and ceilings on lath to prevent cracks in plastering.

Cornice - Overhang of a pitched roof at the cave line, usually consisting of a facie board, a soffit for a closed cornice, and appropriate mouldings.

Cornice return - That portion of the cornice that returns on the gable end of a house.

Corrosion - The major type of deterioration of metals. Often called oxidation, it is a chemical reaction of pure metal with oxygen or other elements.

Counter flashing - A flashing usually used on chimneys at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and to prevent moisture entry.

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

Course - A row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof. Parallel layers of building materials such as bricks, or siding laid up horizontally.

Coverage - 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.

Cove Lighting - Concealed light sources behind a cornice or horizontal recess, which direct the light upon a reflecting ceiling.

Cove moulding - A moulding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners.

Crawl Space - A shallow, unfinished space beneath the first floor of a house which has no basement, used for visual inspection and access to pipes and ducts. Also, a shallow space in the attic, immediately under the roof.

Crawlspace Vent - An opening to allow the passage of air through the unexcavated area under a first floor. Ideally there should be at least two vents per crawlspace.

Creep - The time-dependent part of a strain resulting from stress.

Cricket - A second roof built on top of the primary roof to increase the slope of the roof or valley. A saddle-shaped, peaked construction connecting a sloping roof with a chimney. Designed to encourage water drainage away from the chimney joint.

Cripples - Short vertical "2 by 4's or 6's" frame lumber installed above a window or door.

Cross Bracing - A system of bracing by the use of ties. Typically used between floor joists to prevent them from twisting.

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

Cross Tee - Short metal "T" beam used in suspended ceiling systems to bridge the spaces between the main beams.

Crown moulding - A moulding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered, especially at the roof and wall corner.

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

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

Curb - The short elevation of an exterior wall above the deck of a roof. Normally a 2 by 6 box (on the roof) on which a skylight is attached.

Curb stop - 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.

Cure - A process whereby a waterproof material attains its final performance properties. This process can occur through evaporation or heat or chemical reactions.

Curing Time - The period between application and the time when the material reaches its design physical properties.

Cutback - Solvent-thinned bitumen used in cold process roofing adhesives, flashing cements, and roof coatings.

Cut-in brace - Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4’s, cut in between each stud diagonally.

Cut-off - A detail designed to prevent lateral water movement into the insulation where the membrane terminates at the end of a day's work. Also used to isolate sections of the roofing system. It is usually removed before the continuation of the work.

Cut-out - The open portions of a strip shingle between the tabs.

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

Damper - A metal "door" placed within the fireplace chimney. Normally closed when the fireplace is not in use.

Damp proofing - Treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.

Daylight - The end of a pipe (the terminal end) that is not attached to anything.

Dead bolt - An exterior security lock installed on exterior entry doors that can be activated only with a key or thumb-turn. Unlike a latch, which has a bevelled tongue, dead bolts have square ends.

Dead Level - Absolutely horizontal, or zero slope. See also Slope.

Dead Level Roofing - A roofing system applied on a surface with a 0 to 2% incline.

Dead light - The fixed, non-operable window section of a window unit.

Decay - Disintegration of wood or other substance through the action of fungi.

Deck - The surface, installed over the supporting framing members, to which the roofing is applied.

Deck, decked - To install the plywood or wafer board sheeting on the floor joists, rafters, or trusses.

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

Dedicated circuit - An electrical circuit that serves only one appliance (ie, dishwasher) or a series of electric heaters or smoke detectors.

Default - Breach of a mortgage contract (not making the required payments).

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

Delaminating - Separation of envelope materials from the applied substrate due to movement or improperly applied materials.

Density - The mass of substance in a unit volume. When expressed in the metric system, it is numerically equal to the specific gravity of the same substance.

Dentil - one of the series of a series of closely spaced, rectangular blocks that forms a molding or that projects below the corona of a cornice.

Dew point - Temperature at which a vapour begins to deposit as a liquid. Applies especially to water in the atmosphere. Dimension. See also lumber dimension.

Disconnect - A large (generally 20 Amp) electrical ON-OFF switch.

Direction Change - A change in the orientation of the principal dimension or of the support of adjoining units of the roofing system.

Direct nailing - To nail perpendicular to the initial surface or to the junction of the pieces joined. Also termed face nailing.

Door Buck - The rough frame of a door.

Door/window flange - A rib or rim on an object for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object.

Door/window jamb - The vertical member on each side of a door/window frame.

Doorjamb, interior - The surrounding case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a horizontal head jamb. These 3 jambs have the "door stop" installed on them.

Door operator - An automatic garage door opener.

Doorstop - The wooden style that the door slab will rest upon when it's in a closed position.

Dormer - An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.

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

Double Glazing - An insulating windowpane formed of two thicknesses of glass with a sealed air space between them.

Double Hung Windows - Windows with an upper and lower sash, each supported by cords and weights.

Downspout Leader - A spout or pipe to carry rain water down from a roof or gutters.

Downspout - A pipe for conducting rainwater from the roof to a cistern or to the ground by way of a downspout. Also called a leader.

Downspout Strap - A piece of metal, which secures the downspout to the eaves or wall of a building.

Drain Pan - Receptacle comprising a shallow container intended to catch and collect liquid from (1) a device containing liquid which is expected to be removed from the device or leak from the device, or (2) a wet article placed within the container.

Drain Tile - A perforated, corrugated plastic pipe laid at the bottom of the foundation wall and used to drain excess water away from the foundation. It prevents ground water from seeping through the foundation wall. Sometimes called perimeter drain.

Drainage Plane - The area within a wall or roof that is designed to carry water away from structure.

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

Dressed and matched (tongued and grooved) - Boards or planks machined in such a matter that there is a groove on one edge and a corresponding tongue on the other.

Drier paint - Usually oil-soluble soaps of such metals as lead manganese, or cobalt, which, in small proportions, hasten the oxidation and hardening (drying) of the drying oils in paints.

Drip - (a) A member of a cornice or other horizontal exterior finish course that has a projection beyond the other parts for throwing off water. (b)A groove in the under. side of a sill or drip cap to cause water to drop off on the outer edge instead of drawing back and running down the face of the building.

Drip Cap - A moulding placed on the exterior topside of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.

Drip Edge - A non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction.

Dry In - To install the black roofing felt (tar paper) on the roof.

Drywall (or Gypsum Wallboard (GWB), Sheet rock or Plasterboard) - Wallboard or gypsum- A manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually 1/2" thick and 4' x 8' or 4' x 12' in size. The panels are nailed or screwed onto the framing and the joints are taped and covered with a 'joint compound'. 'Green board' type drywall has a greater resistance to moisture than regular (white) plasterboard and is used in bathrooms and other "wet areas".

Ducts - In a house, usually round or rectangular metal pipes for distributing warm air from the heating plant to rooms, or air from a conditioning device or as cold air returns. Ducts are also made of asbestos and composition materials.

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

Dura board, dura rock - A panel made out of concrete and fibreglass usually used as a ceramic tile backing material. Commonly used on bathtub decks. Sometimes called Wonder board.

DWV (drain-waste-vent) - The section of a plumbing system that carries water and sewer gases out of a home.

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

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

Easement - 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 neighbours property.

Eaves - The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof. The extension of roof beyond house walls.

Eave Vents - Vent openings located in the soffit under the eaves of a house to allow the passage of air through the attic and out the roof vents.

Edge Curl - An upward-curled side lap or end lap.

Edge Venting - The practice of providing regularly spaced protected openings at a roof perimeter to relieve water vapour pressure in the insulation.

Efflorescence - White powder that forms on the surface of brick.

Effluent - Treated sewage from a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

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

Elasticity - The measure of a sealant's ability to return to its original shape and size after being compressed or elongated. As with elongation, elasticity is measured as a percentage of its original length.

Elbow (ell) - A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit.

Electric lateral - 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.

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

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

Electrical Rough - 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).

Electrical Trim - 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.

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

Envelope - A continuous membrane edge seal formed at the perimeter and at penetrations by folding the base sheet or ply over the plies above and securing it to the top of the membrane. The envelope prevents bitumen seepage from the edge of the membrane.

Equilibrium moisture content - (1) the moisture content of a material stabilized at a given temperature and relative humidity, expressed as percent moisture by weight; (2) the typical moisture content of a material in any given geographical area.

Equity - The "valuation" that you own in your home, i.e. the property value less the mortgage loan outstanding.

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

Estimate - The amount of labour, materials and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.

Escutcheon - An ornamental plate that fits around a pipe extending through a wall or floor to hide the cut out hole.

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

Evaporator coil - The part of a cooling system that absorbs heat from air in your home. Also see condensing unit.

Expansion Joint - A joint designed to accommodate movement in the structure or components of the system due to thermal or stress-load variation.

Expansive soils - Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present. ("Betonite" is an expansive soil).

Exposed aggregate finish - 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.

Exposure - That portion of the roofing exposed to the weather after installation.

Exposure 1 Grade Plywood - Type of plywood approved by the American Plywood Association for exterior use.

Extras - 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.

FHA strap - Metal straps that are used to repair a bearing wall "cut-out", and to "tie together" wall corners, splices, and bearing headers. Also, they are used to hang stairs and landings to bearing headers.

Façade - front of the house or building.

Faced Insulation - Insulation with an attached vapour retarder (Kraft paper or foil-backed paper).

Faced concrete - To finish the front and all vertical sides of a concrete porch, step(s), or patio. Normally the "face" is broom finished.

Face nail - To install nails into the vertical face of a bearing header or beam.

Facia (Fascia) - (1) The board connecting the top of the siding with the bottom of a soffit; (2) A board nailed across the ends of the rafters at the eaves.

Facing brick - The brick used and exposed on the outside of a wall. Usually these have a finished texture.

Factory Square - 10 m2 (108 ft2).

Fallback - A reduction in bitumen softening point, sometimes caused by refluxing or overheating in a relatively closed container. See also Softening point drift.

Fanlight - Semicircular or semi elliptical window over a doorway or another window.

Feathering Strips - Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butts of old wood shingles to create a level surface when reroofing over existing wood shingle roofs. Also called “horse feathers”.

Felt - Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment of sheathing paper.

Female - Any part, such as a nut or fitting, into which another (male) part can be inserted. Internal threads are female.

Ferrule - Metal tubes used to keep roof gutters "open". Long nails (ferrule spikes) are driven through these tubes and hold the gutters in place along the fascia of the home.

Fibreglass Insulation - An energy-efficient glass fibre product for heat and noise insulation.

Fibreglass Mat - An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibres.

Field measure - To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints.

Fill-Type Insulation - Loose insulating material, which is applied by hand or blown into wall, spaces mechanically.

Filler (wood) - A heavily pigmented preparation used for fining and levelling off the pores in open-pored woods.

Fine Mineral Surfacing - Water-insoluble inorganic material, more than 50% of which passes the 500 pm (No. 35) sieve, used on the surface of roofing.

Finger Blisters - Finger-shaped blisters or wrinkles in the plies of a built-up roofing or waterproofing membrane.

Finger joint - A manufacturing process of interlocking two shorter pieces of wood end to end to create a longer piece of dimensional lumber or moulding. Often used in jambs and casings and are normally painted (instead of stained).

Finger Wrinkles - See Finger Blisters.

Fire block - Short horizontal members sometimes nailed between studs, usually about halfway up a wall. See also 'Fire stop'.

Firebrick - Brick made of refractory ceramic material, which will resist high temperatures. Used in a fireplace and boiler.

Fireplace chase flashing pan - A large sheet of metal that is installed around and perpendicular to the fireplace flue pipe. Its purpose is to confine and limit the spread of fire and smoke to a small area.

Fire-resistive or Fire rated - In the absence of a specific ruling by the authority having jurisdiction, applies to materials for construction not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and that will withstand such fires without serious impairment of their usefulness for at least 1 hour. Applies to materials that are not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and will withstand such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall used in the garage and party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X.

Fire retardant chemical - A chemical or preparation of chemicals used to reduce flammability or to retard spread of flame.

Fire stop - A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See also 'Fire block'.

Fish mouth - (1) A half-cylindrical or half-conical opening formed by an edge wrinkle of the membrane; (2) In shingles, a half conical opening formed at a cut edge.

Fishplate (gusset) - A wood or plywood piece used to fasten the ends of two members together at a butt joint with nails or bolts. Sometimes used at the junction of opposite rafters near the ridgeline.

Fish tape - A long strip of spring steel used for fishing cables and for pulling wires through conduit.

Flagstone (flagging or flags) - Flat stones, from 1 to 4 inches thick, used for rustic walks, steps, floors, and the like.

Flake board - 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 or wafer board.

Flame retention burner - An oil burner, designed to hold the flame near the nozzle surface. Generally the most efficient type for residential use.

Flashing - Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof, such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys. Galvanized metal flashing should be minimum 26-gauge.

Flashing Cement - Asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as mastic; should conform to ASTM D-4586. Same as Asphalt Cement.

Flat Ceiling - A ceiling with no change in elevation.

Flat mould - Thin wood strips installed over the butt seam of cabinet skins.

Flat paint - An interior paint that contains a high proportion of pigment and dries to a flat or lustreless finish.

Flatwork - Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and sidewalks.

Floating - The next-to-last stage in concrete work, when you smooth off the job and bring water to the surface by using a hand float or bull float.

Floating wall - A non-bearing wall built on a concrete floor. It is constructed so that the bottom two horizontal plates can compress or pull apart if the concrete floor moves up or down. Normally built on basements and garage slabs.

Floor Joists - Framing pieces, which rest on outer foundation walls and interior beams or girders.

Fluorescent lighting - A fluorescent lamp is a gas-filled glass tube with a phosphor coating on the inside. Gas inside the tube is ionized by electricity which causes the phosphor coating to glow. Normally with two pins that extend from each end.

Flue - The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage is called a flue, which together with any others and the surrounding masonry make up the chimney.

Flue collar - Round metal ring which fits around the heat flue pipe after the pipe passes out of the roof.

Flue damper - An automatic door located in the flue that closes it off when the burner turns off; purpose is to reduce heat loss up the flue from the still-warm furnace or boiler.

Flue lining - Fire clay or terra-cotta pipe, round or square, usually made in all ordinary flue sizes and in 2-foot lengths, used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work around the outside. Flue lining in chimneys runs from about a foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney.

Fly rafters - End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof sheathing and lookouts.

Foil-Faced Vapour Retarder - Created by coating a foil-backed paper with a thin layer of asphalt adhesive. The coated side of the foil-backed paper is then applied to the unfaced insulation material. The asphalt adhesive bonds the foil-backed paper and the insulation together.

Footing - Continuous 8" or 10" thick concrete pad installed before and supports the foundation wall or monopost.

Forced air heating - A common form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. Air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal ducts to various areas of the house.

Form - Temporary structure erected to contain concrete during placing and initial hardening.

Foundation - Lower parts of walls on which the structure is built. Foundation walls of masonry or concrete are mainly below ground level.

Foundation ties - Metal wires that hold the foundation wall panels and rebar in place during the concrete pour.

Foundation waterproofing - High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion. Normally looks like black tar.

Frame Inspection - The act of inspecting the home's structural integrity and it's compliance to local municipal codes.

Frame house - a house constructed with a skeletal framework of timber, usually sheathed with siding or shingles.

Framer -The carpenter contractor that installs the lumber and erects the frame, flooring system, interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters, decking, installs all beams, stairs, soffits and all work related to the wood structure of the home. The framer builds the home according to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes and regulations.

Framing - The rough lumber of a house-joists, studs, rafters, and beams.

Framing, balloon - A system of framing a building in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions consist of single pieces extending from the top of the foundation sin plate to the roof-plate and to which all floor joists are fastened.

Framing, platform - A system of framing a building in which floor joists of each story rest on the top plates of the story below or on the foundation sill for the first story, and the bearing walls and partitions rest on the sub-floor of each story.

Frieze - In house construction a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice.

Frost lid - Round metal lid that is installed on a water meter pit.

Frost line - The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement.

Fungus - A type of roof discoloration caused by algae. Commonly called fungus growth. Also called algae discoloration.

Furring - Thin wood, or metal applied to a wall to level the surface for lathing, boarding, or plastering, to create an insulating air space, and to damp proof the wall.

Furring Strips - Flat pieces of lumber used to build up an irregular framing to an even surface, either the levelling of a part of a wall or ceiling.

Fuse - A short plug in an electric panel box, which opens (breaks) an electrical circuit when it becomes overloaded.

GF C I, or G F I - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter- an ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has a small reset button on the plug.

Gable - The triangular part of a wall under the inverted "v" of the roofline. In house construction, the portion of the roof above the eave line, of a double-sloped roof.

Gabled dormers (see window types) - have peaked roofs; she dormers had shed roofs. A projecting structure built out from a sloping roof, usually housing a vertical window or ventilating louver.

Gable End Walls - The triangular end of an exterior wall above the eaves.

Gable Roof - A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at each end.

Gable Vents - A louver mounted in the top of the gable to allow the passage of air through the attic.

Gambrel Roof - A roof with two pitches, designed to provide more space on upper floors. The roof is steeper on its lower slope and flatter toward the ridge.

Gang nail plate - A steel plate attached to both sides at each joint of a truss. Sometimes called a fishplate or gusset.

Gas lateral - 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.

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

General Contractor - A contractor who enters into a contract with the owner of a project for the construction of the project and who takes full responsibility for its completion, although the contractor may enter into subcontracts with others for the performance of specific parts or phases of the project.

Girder - A main member in a framed floor supporting the joists, which carry the flooring boards. It carries the weight of a floor or partition.

Glass Felt - Glass fibres bonded into a sheet with resin and suitable for impregnation in the manufacture of bituminous waterproofing, roofing membranes and shingles.

Glass Fibres - Glass in a strand form. The ingredients are essentially the same as those found in any glass product, such as a windowpane or drinking glass.

Glass Mat - A thin mat of glass fibres with or without a binder.

Glazing - The process of installing glass, which commonly is secured with glazier's points and glazing compound.

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

Gloss enamel - A finishing material made of varnish and sufficient pigments to provide opacity and color, but little or no pigment of low opacity. Such an enamel forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and a high degree of gloss.

Gloss (paint or enamel) - A paint or enamel that contains a relatively low proportion of pigment and dries to a sheen or lustre.

Glued Laminated Beam (Glulam) - 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 2 X 4's are glued together).

Grade - Ground level, or the elevation at any given point. Also the work of leveling dirt. Also the designated quality of a manufactured piece of wood.

Grade beam - 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.

Grade Line - The point at which the ground rests against the foundation wall.

Grain - The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibres in wood.

Grain, edge (vertical) - Edge-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately at right angles to the growth rings; i.e., the rings form an angle of 45° or more with the surface of the piece.

Grain, flat - Flat-grain lumber has been sawed parallel to the pith of the log and approximately tangent to the growth rings, i.e., the rings form an angle of less than 45° with the surface of the piece.

Grain, quarter sawn - Another term for edge grain.

Granules - Ceramic-coated, colour crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.

Green Lumber - Lumber which has been inadequately dried and which tends to warp or "bleed" resin.

Grid - 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.

Ground - 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.

Ground fault - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI, GFI)- an ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has a small reset button on the plug.

Ground iron - 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.

Groundwater - Water from an aquifer or subsurface water source.

Grounds - Pieces of wood embedded in plaster of walls to which skirting are attached. Also wood pieces used to stop the plasterwork around doors and windows. Guides used around openings and at the floor-line 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.

Grout - A wet mixture of cement, sand and water that flows into masonry or ceramic crevices to seal the cracks between the different pieces. Mortar made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry work and fill them solid.

Gusset - A flat wood, plywood, or similar type member used to provide a connection at intersection of wood members. Most commonly used at joints of wood trusses. They are fastened by nails, screws, bolts, or adhesives.

Gutter or nave trough - A shallow channel or conduit of metal or wood set below and along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater from the roof.

Gyp board - Drywall. Wall board or gypsum- A panel (normally 4' X 8', 10', 12', or 16')made with a core of Gypsum (chalk-like) rock, which covers interior walls and ceilings.

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

H Clip - 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.

H V A C - An abbreviation for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

Half-story - A usable living space within a sloping roof, usually having dormer windows for lighting.

Half-Timber - having a timber framework with the spaces filled with masonry or plaster. Also, half-timbered.

Hardware - All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers, etc. The Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware".

Hardwood - The close-grained wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak or maple.

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

Head Flashing - Flashing installed above the window head detail just below adjacent facing material that the window abuts. See also Flashing.

Head Lap - Shortest distance from the butt edge of an overlapping shingle to the upper edge of a shingle in the second course below. The triple coverage portion of the top lap of strip shingles.

Headers - (a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. (c) Double wood pieces supporting joists in a floor or double wood members placed on edge over windows and doors to transfer the roof and floor weight to the studs.

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

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

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

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

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

Heat Rough - Work performed by the Heating Contractor after the stairs and interior walls are built. This includes installing all ductwork and flue pipes. Sometimes, the furnace and fireplaces are installed at this stage of construction.

Heat Trim - 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.

Heel - The end of a rafter that rests on the wall plate.

Heel cut - 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.

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

Hip - The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.

Hip Roof - A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each of four sides. Contains no gables.

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

Holiday - An area where a liquid-applied material is missing.

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

Honeycombs - The appearance concrete makes when rocks in the concrete are visible and where there are void areas in the foundation wall, especially around concrete foundation windows.

Horse feathers - Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butts of old wood shingles to create a level surface when reroofing over existing wood shingle roofs. Also called feathering strips.

Hose bib - An exterior water faucet (sill cock).

Hot stuff or "hot" - A roofer’s term for hot bitumen.

Hot wire - 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.

Humidifier - A device designed to increase the humidity within a room or a house by means of the discharge of water vapour. They may consist of individual room size units or larger units attached to the heating plant to condition the entire house.

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

Hydrostatic pressure - Pressure applied to envelope materials by various heights of water at rest.

I-beam - A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings, such as a double garage door, when wall and roof loads are imposed on the opening.

I-joist - 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.

Ice Dam - Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.

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

Incline - The slope of a roof expressed in percent or in the number of vertical units of rise per horizontal unit of run.

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

INR (Impact Noise Rating) - A single figure rating which provides an estimate of the impact sound insulating performance of a floor-ceiling assembly.

Inset Staple - Stapling to the inside portion of the stud or rafter.

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

Insulate - To prevent the passage of heat, sound or electricity into or out of.

Insulated Ceiling (IC) - Marking on recessed lighting fixture indicating that it is designed for direct insulation contact.

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

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

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

Insulation Density - Denser products have more fibres per square inch, providing greater insulating power through higher R-values.

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

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

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

Irrigation – Lawn sprinkler system.

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

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

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

Jalousies - Windows with movable, horizontal glass slats angled to admit-ventilation and keep out rain. This term is also used for outside shutters of wood constructed in this way.

Jamb - The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening. Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keystone - wedge-shaped embellishment often used at the crown of an arch that appears to "lock" the other units in a masonry arch in place.

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

Kick Out Flashing / Rain Diverter Flashing - The section of flashing (usually located at lowest point of roof) that directs water away from wall.

Kiln-Dried - Artificial drying of lumber, superior to most lumber that is air-dried.

Kiln dried lumber - Lumber that has been kiln dried often to a moisture content of 6 to 12 percent. Common varieties of softwood lumber, such as framing lumber are dried to a somewhat higher moisture content.

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

King-Post - The middle post of a truss. Large, heavy screws, used where great strength is required, as in heavy framing or when attaching ironwork to wood.

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

Knee Walls - Walls of varying length. Used to provide additional support to roof rafters with a wide span.

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

Kraft-Faced Vapour Retarder - Created by coating Kraft paper with a thin layer of asphalt adhesive. The coated side of the Kraft paper is then applied to the unfaced insulation material. The asphalt adhesive bonds the Kraft paper and the insulation together.

Lag Screws or Coach-Screws - Large, heavy screws, used where great strength is required, as in heavy framing or when attaching ironwork to wood.

Lally Column - A steel tube sometimes filled with concrete, used to support girders or other floor beams.

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

Laminating - Bonding together two or more layers of materials.

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

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

Lap Siding - This siding is made with tapered boards, such as clapboards, that are placed horizontally with the thicker lower edge of each board overlapping the thinner upper edge of the next board below it. Siding composed of tapered boards, as clapboards, laid horizontally with the thicker lower edge of each board overlapping the thinner upper edge of the board below it. Also called bevel siding or overlapped siding.

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

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

Lath - One of a number of thin narrow strips of wood nailed to rafters, ceiling joists, wall studs, etc. to make groundwork or key for slates, tiles, or plastering.

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

Leaching Bed - Tiles in the trenches carrying treated wastes from septic tanks.

Leader - See Downspout.

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

Ledger board - (1) One of multiple boards attached horizontally across a series of vertical supports, as in the construction of a fence. (2) A ribbon strip.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lineal foot - A unit of measure for lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long. Examples: 1" x 12" x 16' = 16 board feet, 2" x 12" x 16' = 32 board feet. Lintel - A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.

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

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

Lot - In roofing: (1) Production lot - all material produced in one eight-hour shift of the same type (and color when applicable); (2) Delivery lot - all material of the same type delivered at one time by one truck or railroad car.

Louver - A vented opening into the home that has a serie