General Construction Flashcards
Acre
A plot of land comprising 43,560 sq ft
Adhesive
A natural or synthetic material, generally in paste or liquid form, used to fasten or glue boards together, lay floor tile, fabricate plastic laminates, etc.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage loan in which the interest rate changes throughout the life of a loan as an index changes with the market.
Aggregate
A mixture of sand and stone and a major component of concrete
Air-dried Lumber
Lumber that has been piled in yards or sheds for a length of time. The minimum moisture content of thoroughly air-dried lumber is usually 12-15%
Air Space
The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1” air gap
Alcove
A recess opening off a wall of a larger room. Often used as a sitting area, coatroom, or a storage area
Allowance
A sum of money set aside in the construction contract for items, which have not been selected and specified in the construction contract.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Gives civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities similar to those, provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individual with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportations, state and local government services and telecommunications
Amortize
The method of paying down the principal of a loan over a period of time. In a traditional 30 year loan the amount of the loan is repaid with payments that also include interest over 30 years.
Ampere (Amps)
The rate of flow of electrical charge. Current = voltage/resistanceA
Anchor
Any fastener (usually metal) used to attach parts, such as joists, trusses, posts, etc., to masonry or masonry materials.
Anchor Bolt
A threaded rod inserted in masonry construction to anchor the sill plate to the foundation
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Annual cost of credit over the life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items
Appraisal
An expert valuation of property
Apron
Trim used under the stool on interior windows
Arcade
A series of arches supported by columns or piers to provide an open passageway
Arch
A curved structure that will support itself and the weight above its curved opening by mutual pressure
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 and sometimes supervises the construction of homes
Areaway
Recessed area below grade around the foundation to allow light and ventilation into basement window
Aromatic Red Cedar
Similar characteristics to Western Red Cedar. Primarily used in construction for chests and closet linings for its mothproof value.
Arris
A sharp edge formed when two planes or surfaces meet. Found on edges of moldings, doors, shelves, and in cabinet construction
Ash Pit
The area below the hearth of a fireplace, which collects the ashes
Asphalt Shingles
Composition roof shingles made from asphalt impregnated felt covered with mineral granules
Assessment
A tax levied on a property, or a value placed on the worth of a property
Assessor
A public official responsible for the evaluation of property for the purposes of taxation
Assignee
A person to whom a transfer of interest is made in connection with a mortgage or contract for a home or piece of property
Assignor
A person who makes an assignment for a mortgage or contract for a home or piece of property
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials
Atrium
A central hall or open court within a structure
Attachment
The legal seizure of property to require payment of a debt
Attic
The space between the roof and the ceiling
Attic Access
An opening that is placed in the dry walled ceiling of a home providing access to the attic
Attic Ventilator
In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet ventilators and in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators. They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an exhaust system.
Awning Window
An out swinging window hinged at the top
Back Charge
Billings for work performed or costs incurred by one party that, in accordance with the agreement, should have been performed or incurred by the party to whom billed. Owners bill back charges to general contractors, and general contractors bill back charges to subcontractors.
Backfill
The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation
Baffles
Device to help achieve a ventilation space between insulation and roof sheathing. It helps assure airflow from the eave vents in attics and cathedral ceilings.
Balcony
A deck projecting from the wall of a building above ground level
Balloon Framing
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 sill plate to the roof plate and to which all floor joists are fastened
Balloon Loan
A loan that comes due and must be paid off or refinanced because the final payment is much higher than the monthly payments
Balusters
Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail
Balustrade
A series of balusters connected by a rail; generally used for porches and balconies
Band Joist
Vertical member that forms the perimeter of a floor system in which the floor joists tie in. Also know as the rim joist
Banister
A handrail with supporting posts used alongside a stairway
Barrel Vault
A vaulted ceiling of semi-circular shape, creating a dome-like appearance.
Base Shoe
A molding used next to the floor in interior baseboards
Basement Foundation
A basement is a usable foundation that typically has ceiling heights of 8’ and is often finished off as a living or storage space
Batt
A roll or sheet of insulation designed to be installed between members of frame construction
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 as 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
Beam Ceiling
A ceiling in which the ceiling beams are exposed to view
Bearing Paritition
A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight
Beech
A whitish to reddish brown hardwood used especially in construction for interior and exterior cabinet parts. Blends well with birch for stained kitchen cabinets and vanities
Bench Mark
A mark on some permanent object fixed to the ground from which land measurements and elevations are ataken
Birch
Hard and heavy light reddish brown hardwood. The most widely used hardwood veneer for flush doors, cabinetwork, and paneling. Mill products include interior trim, flooring, sash and trim
Blind Nailing
A method of nailing so that the nail is not visible
Board Foot
A method of lumber measurements using nominal dimensions of 1” thick, 12” wide, and 12” long or the equivalent
Bonus Room
A room with no specifically designated function, unlike a living room, bedroom or kitchen. Is not included in the initial square footage
Bottom Plate
The lowest horizontal member of a wall, which rests on the rough floor to which the studding is nailed
Brick
A solid masonry unit composed of clay or shale. Formed into a rectangular prism while soft and burned or fired in a kiln
Brick Veneer
A facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a frame 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 and spreading the action of loads
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
The amount of heat required to raise on pound of water one degree F
Building Code
A comprehensive set of laws that controls the construction or remodeling of a home or other structure
Built Up Roof
A roofing composed of 3-5 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.
Bundle
A package of shingles. Normally there are 3 bundles per square and 27 shingles per bundle
Bureau of Land Management
The branch of government in charge of surveying public lands
Cantilever
A projecting structure supported on one end, such as a balcony
Central Air Conditioning
A system which uses ducts to distribute cooling and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room and which is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet
Carport
A garage not fully enclosed
Casement Window
A hinged window, usually metal, that opens out
Casing
Molding of various widths and thickness used to trim door and window openings at the jambs
Caulking
A waterproof material used to seal cracks
Central Heating
A system by which the heat from a single source is distributed with ducts
Chain
A unit of land measurement 66’ in length
Chamfer
A beveled edge on a board formed by removing the sharp corner. Generally used on moldings, edges of drawer fronts and cabinet doors
Chase
A slot or continuous groove built in a masonry or frame wall to accommodate ducts, pipes or conduits
Chimney
A vertical flue for passing smoke from a heating unit, fireplace or incinerator
Chipped Grain
Wood surface that has been roughened by the action of cutting tools. Considered a defect when surfaces are to be smoothly finished
Chord
The horizontal member of a truss connecting the lower corners
Circuit
Two or more wires through which electrical power flows from the distribution panel to one or more outlets or fixtures, then back
Circuit Breaker
A safety device that breaks the flow of electrical current whenever a circuit becomes overloaded
Clear Title
A title to property that is free of any defect
Cleat
A piece of wood, normally used in frame construction, fastened to another member to serve as a brace or support
Clerestory
An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows
Coffered Ceiling
A ceiling with recessed square panels, bordered with trim for ornamental purposes
Collar Beam
Nominal 1 or 2 in thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to stiffen the roof structure
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Using the computer to perform drafting and design functions
Concrete
A mixture of cement, sand and gravel with water
Concrete Block
A hollow concrete brick often 8”x8”x16” in size. Often used in low rise commercial and some residential construction
Concrete Form
A temporary structure built to contain concrete during pouring and initial hardening
Conditions and Restrictions
The term used to designate any conditions to which the use of land may not be put and the penalties for failure to comply
Conduction
The flow of heat through an object by transferring heat from one molecule to another
Conduit
Piping made out of plastic or metal used to protect electrical wire
Construction Loan
A short-term loan taken for the expressed purpose of building. Installment payments are made and when the building is complete, the loan is usually replaced by a longer-term mortgage
Contract
An agreement between a seller and purchaser. The title is withheld from the purchaser until all required payments to the seller have been completed
Convection
Refers to the transfer of heat by moving fluid (liquids and gases)
Coping
A cap or top course of a masonry wall to protect lower areas from water penetration
Corbel
A ledge or shelf constructed by laying successive courses of masonry out from the face of the wall
Core
The inner layer or layers of plywood. The core may consist of veneer, solid lumber or composition board
Corner Bead
A lightweight strip of metal, angled to reinforce corners in drywall
Corner Braces
Diagonal braces at the corners of frame structure to stiffen and strengthen the wall
Cornice
The part of a roof that projects out from the wall
Cornice Return
That portion of the cornice that returns on the gable end of a house
Counter Flashing
A flashing used under the regular flashing
Cove
Molded trim of a concave shape used around cabinet construction and other built-ins
Crawl Space
The shallow space below the floor of a house built above the ground. Generally it is surrounded with the foundation wall.
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
Cricket
A device used at roof intersections to divert water
Cripple
A structural member that is cut less than full length, such as a studding piece above a window or door
Cross Bracing
Boards nailed diagonally across studs or other boards to make framework rigid
Crown Molding
A decorative molding used at the top of cabinets, at ceiling corners and under a roof overhang
Cul-de-Sac
A street or court with no outlet, which provides a circular turn around for vehicles
Cull
Building material (especially boards) that is rejected because of defects or below usable grade
Cupola
A small, decorative structure built on the roof of a house. It is often placed over an attached garage and may also be used for ventilating purposes
Current
Term used to describe electrical flow
Curtain Wall
An exterior or interior wall, which provides no structural support
Dado Joint
A groove cut across the face of a board to receive the end of another board. Often used in quality shelf and cabinet construction
Damper
A movable plate, which regulates the draft of a stove, fireplace, or furnace.
Dead Load
All the unmovable weight in a structure and the weight of the structure itself
Deed
Actually, any one of many conveyancing or financing instruments, but generally a conveyancing instrument, given to pass fee title to property upon sale
Dentil
One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an overhang, most common in colonial-style homes
Dimension Lumber
Framing lumber, which is 2 in thick and from 4-12” wide
Dome
A roof used over an entryway or a complete structure in the form of a hemisphere
Dome Structures
Structures incorporating design elements of the geodesic dome or triangular space frames
Door
A sliding or hinged structure, covering an opening to a cupboard, closet, room, building, etc. May be used as an entrance or exit. Usually constructed of wood, glass, or metal depending on its service
Doorjamb
Two vertical pieces held together by a head jamb forming the inside lining of a door opening
Doorstop
The strips on the doorjambs against which the door closes
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 Glazing
Making a pane of two pieces of glass with air space between and sealed to provide insulation
Double Header
Two or more timbers or lumber joined for strength
Double Hung
Refers to a window having top and bottom sashes, each capable of movement up and down
Douglas Fir
A yellow to pale reddish soft wood. The leading veneer wood primarily converted into plywood and widely used in building and construction. Lumber used in general construction. Mill products used for sash, flooring, and doors
Downspout
A pipe, usually of metal, for carrying rainwater from roof gutters
Dressed Size
The actual size of lumber after jointing and surfacing
Drip Cap
A molding placed on the exterior topside of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of a frame
Dry Wall
Interior covering material, such as gypsum board or plywood, which is applied in large sheets or panels
Dry Well
A pit located on porous ground, walled up with rock, which allows water to seep through; used for the disposal of rainwater or as the effluent from a septic tank
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 composition materials
Duplex Outlet
Electrical wall outlet having two plug receptacle
Dwarf Wall
A low wall built to retain an excavation or embankment
Earnest Money
A partial payment made as part of the purchase price to bind a contract for property
Earth Sheltered Dwelling
A structure, which uses soil to reduce heat loss (or gain)
Easement
An area of a piece of property given rights to another for the purpose of placing power lines, drains, and other specified uses.
Eastern Fir
A softwood similar to spruce in its general characteristics. Used for siding, moldings, and general construction
Eave Vent
Vent opening located in the soffit under the eaves of a house to allow the passage of air through the attic and out the roof vents
Eaves
The lower portion of the roof that overhangs the wall
Egress
A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement
Electrical Service Panel
Refers to the high-voltage electrical system’s first point of entry into a home beyond the meter
Elevations
The exterior view of a home design that shows the position of the house relative to the grade of the land
Ell
An extension or wing of a building at right angles to the main section
Energy Efficient
Method of construction or building practice by which less energy is used or consumed to produce the same level of energy service.
Materials, appliances, or other items designed to reduce consumption of energy while providing a specific energy output
Equity
The market value less any loans against a property
Escrow
An agreement in which the parties deposit money and/or legal documents with a third party who handles the transaction
Escutcheon
Door hardware, which accomidates the knob and keyhole
Excavation
A cavity or pit produced by digging the earth in preparation for construction
Expansion Joint
A bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes
Expansive Clay
A type of soil, which swells when wet and produces very high pressure against underground walls
Facade
The front elevation or face of a structure
Face Brick
Brick of better quality used on the face of a wall
Face Size
The exposed width of a modeled piece of lumber after installation
Face Veneer
Veneer selected for exposed surfaces in plywood. Especially selected for fancy paneling
Faced Insulation
Insulation with an attached vapor retarder (kraft paper or foil backed paper)
Facing
Any material attached to the outer portion of a wall used as a finished surface
Fascia
A horizontal board nailed onto the ends of the rafters
Fiberboard
A building board made with fibrous material and used as an insulating board
Fiber Glass Insulation
An energy efficient glass fiber product manufactured by Owens Corning to ensure the best thermal and noise control performance available
Fill
Sand, gravel, or loose earth used to bring a sub-grade up to a desired level around a house
Filled Insulation
A loose insulating material poured from bags or blown by machine into walls
Fire Cut
The angular cut at the end of a joist designed to rest on a brick wall
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 2x4 cross blocking between studs
Fire Wall
Any wall designed to resist the spread of fire between sections of a house. Firewalls are commonly used between the main structure and an attached garage. Fire resistant materials are designed specifically for this purpose.
Firebrick
A brick that is especially hard and heat-resistant; used in fireplaces
Fireclay
A refractory mortar used to lay firebrick in the bed and walls of a fireplace
Flagstone
Flat stone used for floors, steps, walks or walls
Flashing
Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage