Unit 16 - Basic Construction

Question 1

A board around the bottom of a wall perpendicular to the floor. Sometimes called wains, baseboards cover the gap between the floor and the wall, protecting the wall from scuffs and providing a decorative accent

Answer 1

baseboard

Question 2

Story-high space below the first floor that is totally or partially below the exterior grade; floor is usually concrete slab.

Answer 2

basement

Question 3

A measure of heat used in rating the capacity of heating and cooling systems.

Answer 3

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

Question 4

An ordinance that specifies minimum

standards of construction for buildings to protect public safety and health.

Answer 4

building code

Question 5

Attached to the top plate of a wall, these

joists carry the weight of the roof

Answer 5

ceiling joists

Question 6

A certificate issued by a government authority stating that a building is fit for
occupancy and there are no building code violations; the end result of a successful building permit.

Answer 6

certificate of occupancy (CO)

Question 7

A flat, horizontal reinforced concrete area, usually the interior floor of a building but also an exterior or a roof area.

Answer 7

concrete slab AKA

slab

Question 8

The space between the ground surface

and the first floor; frequently found in houses without basements that are not built on a slab foundation.

Answer 8

crawl space

Question 9

The overhang of a sloping roof that extends beyond the walls of the house

Answer 9

eave

Question 10

A flat strip of wood or metal that encloses

the ends of the rafters; gutters are usually attached to the fascia board.

Answer 10

fascia board

Question 11

A concrete support under a foundation,
chimney, or column that usually rests on solid ground and is wider than the structure being supported. Designed to distribute the weight of the structure over the ground

Answer 11

footings

Question 12

The masonry or concrete wall below

ground level that serves as the main support for the frame structure. Form the side walls of the basement or crawlspace.

Answer 12

foundation wall

Question 13

The wooden skeleton of the house consisting of the floors, walls, ceilings, and roof.

Answer 13

frame

Question 14

A wooden board fastened at the top of the
exterior wall under the eave soffit to prevent penetration of weather elements; frequently the base for additional exterior
decorative trim.

Answer 14

frieze board

Question 15

A heavy wooden or steel beam supporting the floor joists and providing the main horizontal support for the floor.

Answer 15

girder

Question 16

The extra thick framing over doors and windows to bear the weight of the building above the opening.

Answer 16

header

Question 17

A synthetic material used to protect

buildings

Answer 17

house wrap

Question 18

An acronym for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning

Answer 18

HVAC

Question 19

Pieces of plasterboard, asbestos sheeting,
compressed wood-wool, fiberboard, or other material placed between inner and outer surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, to protect the interior from heat loss. Works by breaking up and dissipating air currents.

Answer 19

insulation

Question 20

A column, usually of masonry block or
steel-reinforced concrete. Evenly spaced under a structure to support the weight. May also refer to the part of the wall between the windows or other openings that bears the wall weight

Answer 20

pier

Question 21

The slope of a roof measured as the vertical distance in inches (rise) divided by the horizontal distance in feet (run)

Answer 21

pitch

Question 22

One of a series of sloping beams that extends from the center ridge board to an exterior wall and provides the main support for the roof.

Answer 22

rafter

Question 23

A heavy horizontal board, set on edge at

the apex of the roof, to which the rafters are attached.

Answer 23

ridge board

Question 24

Sheets of flat or other close-woven, heavy

material placed on top of the roof boards to insulate and waterproof the roof

Answer 24

roofing felt

Question 25

The insulation value of materials. The higher this number, the more resistant the material is to the transfer of heat.

Answer 25

R-value

Question 26

Insulating material that is applied to the wall framing; siding is applied on top of the sheathing.

Answer 26

sheathing

Question 27

Exterior roofing material frequently made of fiberglass, asphalt, or wood.

Answer 27

shingles

Question 28

Boards nailed horizontally to the vertical studs, with or without intervening sheathing, to form the exposed surface of the outside walls of the building. May be made of wood, metal, or masonry sheets.

Answer 28

siding

Question 29

The lowest horizontal member of the house frame, which rests atop the foundation wall and forms a base for
the studs. The term can also refer to the lowest horizontal member in the frame for a window or door.

Answer 29

sill

Question 30

The external underside of the eave; usually contains ventilation for the attic and/or roof

Answer 30

soffit

Question 31

The bottom of the wall frame that connects the studs to the flooring

Answer 31

sole plate

Question 32

The vertical members in the wall framing; usually placed 16-24 inches apart and serve as main support for the roof and/or the story above

Answer 32

stud

Question 33

Boards or plywood sheets nailed directly
to the floor joists, serving as a base for the finish flooring. Usually made of rough boards; although some houses have concrete

Answer 33

subfloor

Question 34

The top part of the wall framing that connects the stud to the ceiling framing

Answer 34

top plate

Question 35

Subflooring is nailed directly to this horizontal board laid on edge, resting on
the beams that provide the main support for the floor.

Answer 35

floor joists