Construction Terms

Question 1

Bearing wall

Answer 1

wall that supports the main load of floors and ceilings; less likely to have doors and windows.
Must be taken into consideration when remodeling.

Question 2

Bench mark

Answer 2

aka monument.
Used by surveyor. Location indicated on a durable marker.

Question 3

Board foot

Answer 3

unit of measurement for lumber. Each board foot would contain 144 cubic inches.

Question 4

Bridging

Answer 4

small wood or metal pieces used to brace floor joists.

Question 5

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

Answer 5

measurement of energy to push heat and/or air.

Question 6

Compaction

Answer 6

compacting added soil used to level a building site.

Question 7

Conduit

Answer 7

thin metal pipe thru which wiring is strung. Used by electrician.

Question 8

Energy Efficient Rating (EER)

Answer 8

higher the rating, the more efficiently the energy is being utilized.

Question 9

Elevated foundation

Answer 9

minimum crawl space under the floor is required of at least 18 in. w/ an opening of at least 24 in.

Question 10

Elevation sheet

Answer 10

blueprint page showing the outside heights and measurements of the buildings.

Question 11

Flashing

Answer 11

sheet metal or other material used to protect a building’s roof from seepage of water.

Question 12

Floor plan vs. foundation plan

Answer 12

Floor plan = blueprint which diagrams the dimensions of the rooms.
Foundation plan = blueprint showing the components of the foundation.

Question 13

Footing

Answer 13

concrete base (contains reinforcement rod) on which foundation wall sits.

Question 14

Gable roof vs. hip roof vs. pyramid roof

Answer 14

Gable roof = 2-sided roof.
Hip roof = 4-sided roof with no point.
Pyramid roof = 4-sided roof coming to a point. Lacks ridge board.

Question 15

Gypsum board

Answer 15

drywall, as opposed to plaster which is applied wet.
aka wallboard, plasterboard, or sheetrock.

Question 16

Joist

Answer 16

one of a series of parallel horizontal beams to which the subfloor and/or ceiling panels are nailed.
Supports the floor and ceiling loads.

Question 17

Key lot

Answer 17

lot next to the corner. Backyards face into it, so considered the least desirable on the block.

Question 18

Kiosk

Answer 18

multi-sided stand or container. Generally exam refers to the type found located in the aisles of the shopping malls where vendors utilize them for business displays and sales.

Question 19

Orientation

Answer 19

placement of the improvements of the land.

Question 20

Penny

Answer 20

way of measuring nails.

Question 21

Percolation test

Answer 21

a ground (soil) test for liquid/fluid absorption. Often given for septic tank use. Performed by a soils engineer.

Question 22

Pitch

Answer 22

incline, angle, or rise of the roof. Life of a roof is based on its pitch. The steeper the angle or pitch, the longer the roof’s life.

Question 23

Plot plan

Answer 23

blueprint showing a lot in relationship to other lots, streets, and sidewalks.

Question 24

Potable

Answer 24

relates to drinkable water. Non-potable water is non-drinkable.

Question 25

Ridge board

Answer 25

highest wood member of a roof. Board runs horizontally across the top of the roof to which rafters are nailed.

Question 26

Shingles

Answer 26

Used to cover the roof and nailed to sheathing.

Question 27

Mud sill

Answer 27

Lowest (first) wooden member which rests on the foundation fasted by anchor bolts.

Question 28

Soil pipe

Answer 28

Type of pipe used for sewage disposal. Used in plumbing.

Question 29

Sole plate

Answer 29

Usu a wooden 2 x 4 piece of lumber on which wall studs rest.

Question 30

Studs (studding)

Answer 30

vertical 2 x 4’s btwn floor and ceiling. Usu 16” or 24” from center to center.

Question 31

Walls

Answer 31

standard heigh usu 96” (8 feet) from floor to ceiling.

Question 32

Walk-up

Answer 32

Apts w/o elevators.

Question 33

Wider lots

Answer 33

Most preferred by purchasers of residential lots.