The Homeowners Guide to Construction Terms
ABS pipe - A type of plastic pipe frequently used in plumbing. The letters "ABS" are an abbreviation for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. The plastic is black and is most frequently used in the form of schedule 40 pipe.
Acre - A unit of measurement equal to 43,560 square feet.
Air-entrained - Concrete suffused with tiny air bubbles, making it more workable and better able to withstand frost.
Airway - A space between roof insulation and roof sheathing for movement of air.
Alligatoring - Coarse checking pattern characterized by a slipping of the new paint coating over the old coating to the extent that the old coating can be seen through the fissures.
Anchor bolt - A bolt placed in the surface of concrete for attaching wood framing members.
Soil density test
Angle iron - L-shaped steel support used to support masonry over an opening.
Ballast - Required in all fluorescent fixtures, it is an electrical component that limits the flow of electricity into a bulb.
Balloon framing - A system of framing a building in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions consist of single pieces. These pieces extend from the top of the foundation sill plate to the roofplate, and all floor joists are fastened to them.
Batt insulation - Flexible, blanket like pieces, usually fiberglass used for thermal or sound insulation. As opposed to loose fill insulation which is blown in place.
Berm - A low, artificially made mound of earth which adds height and depth to a flat landscape; often used in rock gardens, landscaped with rocks and plants.
Biscuit - Wooden wafer placed in a slot that bridges and strengthens the joining of two pieces of wood
Bleeding - Seeping of a stain or lower coat through the top coat, spoiling the appearance of the top coat.
Boston ridge - Applying asphalt or wood shingles at the ridge or at the hips of a roof as a finish.
British thermal unit (Btu) - The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Broom finish - A slip-resistant texture created by running a stiff broom across fresh concrete
Building codes - Municipal rules regulating safe building practices and procedures. The codes generally encompass structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical remodeling and new construction. Inspection may be required to confirm adherence to local codes.
Butter - Applying mortar to stones or bricks.
Cantilever - To overhang such as a projecting beam supported at only one end.
A certificate issued by the building department stating that the house has been built in
Certificate of occupancy - accordance with the local building code and zoning ordinance, and may be occupied.
Change order - A term applied to a written agreement allowing a change from previously agreed-to plans.
Code enforcement officer - An authorized representative of the building code enforcement office. The individual responsible for the approval or denial of code inspections and the party responsible for issuing a certificate of occupancy.
Control joints - Grooves that are tooled or cut into the surface of wet concrete to make it crack in straight lines at planned locations, rather than cracking randomly.
Cripple Stud - Short stud over a window or door between the top of the header and the bottom of the top plate. Also, the short stud between the top of the bottom plate and the underside of a window frame.
Excavate - To remove earth from a basement site or utility trench, by means of a bulldozer or backhoe (a backhoe is a tractor with a scoop bucket attached).
Flagstone - Any kind of stone which splits into shallow slabs suitable for paving.
Foundation - The part of a building or wall which supports the superstructure.
Frame - (1) The surrounding or enclosing woodwork, as around windows or doors. (2) The skeleton of a building; that is, the rough structure of a building, including interior and exterior walls, floor, roof, and ceilings.
Gable - A vertical, triangular part of a building, contained between the slopes of a double-sloped roof.
General contractor - A person who contracts to build a house or building, or a part of it, for another person.
HVAC - Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.
Lumen - Measure of total light output. A wax candle gives off about 13 lumens, a 100 watt incandescent bulb about 1,200 lumens.
Mechanic's lien - A right given to laborers, material suppliers, contractors, and their subcontractors to secure payment for either work performed or material furnished where the value or condition of the property has been improved and the workers and material suppliers have not been paid.
Partition wall - A wall that divides space but plays no part in a building's structural integrity.
Pavers - Preformed concrete or brick units commonly used for driveways, patios, and sidewalks. Designed to be laid in a sand base. They come in many shapes and colors and may interlock in repeating patterns.
Punch-out - A trade term referring to the process of correcting deficiencies and making minor adjustments at the end of the job.
Quotes - Firm prices given by contractors and suppliers for labor and materials.
Rebar (reinforcing bar) - Steel rods for reinforcing concrete.
Rough-in - A trade term referring to the installation of material prior to enclosing the stud walls. Examples would be for plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. The bulk of these systems must be installed before the wall coverings are applied, so this is considered rough-in work.
Saddle - Two sloping surfaces meeting in a horizontal ridge, used between the back side of a chimney or other vertical surface and a sloping roof. Also called a cricket.
Site plan - The drawing that shows the boundaries of the building, its location, site utilities.
Slab - A concrete floor placed directly on earth or on a gravel base; usually about 4 inches thick.
Survey - A drawing made to scale showing the lengths and directions of the boundary lines of the lot; the surrounding lots and streets; the position of the house and all exterior improvements such as walkways, driveways, decks and porticos within the lot; and any existing encroachments.
Toenail - To drive a nail through a surface at an angle.
Turnkey - Projects that include materials and labor, as well as necessary permits, drawings, inspections, etc. . A builder that gives you a turnkey job does everything from initial drawings to handing you the keys to move in.
Wythes - Vertical stacks of stones in a wall that are one stone wide.
Zoning ordinances - Local regulations affecting property uses and type of construction. They set forth the minimum lot sizes; number of family units in each dwelling; the maximum height of a building; and the minimum setbacks and sideyards.
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