Glossary A - D
Ampere
The standard measure of electric current. Residential electric circuits, for example, usually have has a capacity of about 20 amperes. Also see Volts.
Anchor Bolts
Threaded bolts embedded in the foundation to secure the sill.
Balusters
The upright spindles that support the railing on a staircase or a porch railing.
Backer Board
See cement board.
Backfill
Earth that fills in the space around the outside of the foundation.
Back Splash
The vertical section at the back of a countertop to protect the wall.
Base Board
The wide molding at the bottom of a wall, where it meets the floor. Also see Shoe.
Bearing Wall
A supporting wall which holds up a ceiling or floor joist or a roof element.
Board & Batten
A type of exterior siding with vertical battens (narrow boards) nailed over wide boards (or more commonly today, plywood) to provide a rustic or country appearance.
Board Foot
The standard measure for framing lumber. Any piece of lumber that has the same total volume of wood as a board 1" thick, 12" wide, 2" X 6" X 12" is also `1 board foot,` for example.
Branch Line
A drain line which empties into a the main drain line.
Branch Circuit
An electric circuit with a separate fuse or circuit breaker.
Brick Veneer
A facing of bricks (or other masonry) on an exterior wall.
Bridging, Blocking
A series of cross-braces between ceiling or floor joists to stabilize them and keep them from twisting under load.
Building Paper
Rolls of resin or tar-impregnated paper used a barrier layers under roofing, siding, and finish flooring. Most building papers have been replaced by synthetic materials but they still have limited uses.
Bullnose
A ceramic tile (or other material) with a rounded edge, used to provide a finished appearance.
Casings
See surrounds.
Casement Window
A window with hinges on one side of the sash, such that it that opens like a door.
Cat
Any internal brace between studs, etc., to stabilize, provide subsurface support, or other purpose.
Cement Board
A very rigid, cement based, structural sheet material. It is used as a base for ceramic tile instead of cement over lath.
Center, Center-To-Center, On Center
See on-center.
Chip Board
See wafer board.
Circuit Breaker
A safety device that interupts electrical current in the event of a short circuit. Similar to a fuse. Important: a circuit breaker is not a Ground Fault Interupter.
Clapboard
A type of exterior siding with thin horizontal boards. The bottom edge of each board overlaps the top edge of the board beneath it.
Clean Out
A plug or cap which allows access for cleaning in a sewer line, etc.
Concrete
A aggregate of portland cement, sand, and gravel or crushed stone. Much stronger than a sand/cement mixture.
Crawl Space
The space beneath the floor and the ground.
Curtain Wall
A wall which does not support any joists or other overhead structure. A non-bearing wall.
Dimension Lumber
Refers to the standard sizes for framing lumber. joists for example are about 2 inches thick by 8, 10, or 12 inches wide, depending on where they're used. Wall studs are usually either 2X4 or 2X6 inches.
Dormer
Technically, a dormer is a window in a raised section of the roof, but the term also refers to the entire raised section. There are two basic styles of dormers: a small raised section with a gabled roof, (they're often called a "dog house" or "pigeon coop" dormers),and larger "shed" dormers, which generally have flat (as opposed to gable) roofs to provide increased interior headroom.
Double Hung Window
A window with two sashes (sections) which slide up and down.
Drywall
See wallboard.
Ducts
Ducts are large diameter conduits, that deliver heated/cooled air throughout the house. Older houses have ducts made from sheet metal, but today, ducts are usually insulated, flexible plastic tubes.
Duplex Receptacle
An electric outlet.
