Most Common Contractor Terms

Question 1

Bottom Plate

Answer 1

The 2x4 or 2x6 members that lay on the subfloor upon which the vertical studs are installed; also called a sole plate

Question 2

Brace

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Brick Tie

Answer 3

A small, corrugated metal strip nailed to wall sheeting or studs; they are inserted into the grout mortar joints of the veneer brick and the hold the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.

Question 4

Floor Joists

Answer 4

The main subfloor framing members that support the floor span. Joists are usually made of engineered wood, I-joists or 2x8 (or larger) lumber.

Question 5

Foundation

Answer 5

The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction, or below grade, including the footings.

Question 6

Gable

Answer 6

The end, upper triangular area of a home, beneath the roof.

Question 7

Gussett

Answer 7

a flat wood, plywood or similar type member used to provide a connection at the intersection of wood members; most commonly used at joints of wood trusses; they are fastened by nails, screws, bolts or adhesives.

Question 8

H Clip

Answer 8

Small metal clips formed like an “H” that fits at the joints of two plywood (or water board) sheets to stiffen the joint; normally used on the roof sheeting; also referred to as plywood clip.

Question 9

Header

Answer 9

A beam placed perpendicular to joists to which joint; are nailed in framing; horizontal structural member over an opening. ex- window, garage, doorway

Question 10

I-Beam

Answer 10

A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter “I”; it is used for long spans as a basement beams or over wide wall openings, such as a double garage door, when wall and roof load bear down on the opening.

Question 11

I-Joist

Answer 11

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 (LVL) or dimensional lumber, usually formed into 1-1/2” width; the Web or cent of the I-Joist is commonly made of plywood or oriented stand board (OSB); large holes can be cut in the web to accommodate duct work, plumbing and mechanicals.

Question 12

Joist

Answer 12

Wooden 2X8 or 2X10 members that run parallel to one another and support a floor or ceiling and supported in turn by larger beams; girders or bearing walls.

Question 13

Joist Hanger

Answer 13

A metal U-Shaped connector used to support the end of a floor joist and attached with hardened nails to another bearing joist or beam.

Question 14

Ledger

Answer 14

The wooden perimeter frame lumber members that bolts onto the face of a foundation wall and supports the wood structural floor.

Question 15

Ledger Strip

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Girder

Answer 16

A large or principal beam of wood or steel used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length.