Lacy Team Construction, Construction Terminology

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Lacy Team Construction LLC ... Common Construction Terminology

If you have ever been on a construction site, there is a good chance you have heard some "colorful metaphors" being used. We apologize in advance if you hear that on one of our job sites. We probably don't need to explain any of those terms, but the list of terms below might be helpful to you if we forget that you aren't a construction professional and we use terminology that you might not always understand.


A

A/C		Air Conditioning

A/C Coil		Apparatus through which freon flows; fan blows air over it producing cool air (located in the furnace air chamber).

A/C Compressor		Located on the outside of the home; removes heat from the freon that comes from the A/C coil, then returns the cooled freon to the coil.

A/C Disconnect		Electrical panel box for outside compressor; used to remove electrical power from the compressor.

Aerator		Device on water faucets designed to screen foreign matter out of the water and prevent splashing; also mixes air into the water.

Aggregate		Any of several hard inert materials ranging from sand to rocks; used for mixing with cement material to form concrete or mortar.

Air-Drying		Method of removing excess moisture from lumber by natural circulation of air. (See kiln-drying).

Amp-Ampere		Amount of electricity that flows through a conductor or circuit; Watts divided by Volts equals Amps.

Anchor Dead-End		Device at the dead end of a post tension cable, installed at factory; used to secure cable to the inside of the form.

Anchor Live-End		Device put on the live end of a post tension cable; installed in the field, prior to installing the pocket former; used to secure live end to inside of forms.


B

Backfill		Earth, once dug out, that has been replaced and tamped down around the foundation.

Backsplash		Short extension of a countertop up a wall; also called a splashboard.

Baluster		Vertical support for a handrail in a stairway; also called a banister.

Barge Board		The board at the gable just under the edge of the roof behind the fascia; supports the overhang.

Base Shoe		Molding added at the bottom of a baseboard to cover the edge of finish flooring or carpeting.

Base, Baseboard		Molding covering the joint between a finished wall and a floor.

Batter Board		One of several simple structures used to temporarily mark the corners of a building and the height of foundation walls early in construction.

Batts		Insulation usually used in walls and attic.

Bay Window		Structure that projects from an exterior wall containing at least one window, and usually several windows at an angle to each other.

Beam		2 or more 2 x's nailed together to form structural horizontal support over an opening; used to support other structural members.

Beams-Foundation		Trenches dug prior to pouring slab to provide additional strength around the perimeter and at engineered locations within the slab.

Bearing Partition		Any interior divider that supports the weight of the structure above it.

Beveled Siding		Siding with a thick butt and a thin upper edge lapped to shed water; sometimes called clapboard.

Bifold Door		Interior door hinged in the middle, which folds against the jamb; usually installed in pairs.

Birdsmouth		Cut in the rafter where it bears on the top plate of a bearing wall.

Board Foot (B.F.)		Unit of lumber measure equal to 144 cubic inches. The basic unit is 1" in normal thickness by 12" square.

Bottom Plate, Sole Plate		Lowest horizontal member of a partition or wall – it rests on the floor.

Bow		Warp upward along the length of a piece of lumber laid flat.

Bracing		Many and various types, both permanent and temporary, to provide support to structural members.

Breaker Box		Metal box containing all electrical circuit breakers.

Brick Frieze		Finish of cornice to trim out brick where it meets soffit of home.

Brick Ledge		Lowered portion of slab where exterior brick is placed.

Brick Tie		Metal strip used to attach or secure a brick veneer wall to a frame building; set at a 24" grid.

Bridging		Cross bridging or solid members to brace one joist to the next; used to prevent twisting.

Broom Finish		Broom swept concrete finish; produces rough finish.

BTU		Abbreviation for British Thermal Unit; also written Btu; a measure of heat and heat loss.

Buck		Frame assembly that forms the rough opening for a door or window.

Building Codes		Collection of national, regional and local requirements or rules that must be followed during any construction activity, commercial or residential. Major areas of concern are structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, A/C, and fire codes.

Building Paper		Paper placed outside the sheathing to help protect against air penetration into the home.

Built-Up Roof		Surface for a flat or nearly flat roof that consists of several layers of roofing felt, each hotmopped with asphalt and a topping of gravel or crushed stone; also called a tar and gravel roof.

Bull Float		Large tool used for rough finish of concrete to level and make surface even prior to concrete hardening.

Butt		Type of joint in which materials meet edge to edge; the action of forming such a joint.


C

C-Tile		Ceramic Tile.

Cantilever		Any part of a structure that projects beyond its main support and is balanced on it; the act of projecting and balancing the structure.

Casing		Piece of wood or metal trim that completes the frame of a door or window.

Cathead		Clamping device applied outside the form on the cable's live-end, to maintain tension on the cable until the concrete work is finished.

Cathedral Ceiling		High pitched ceiling peaking in the middle of the room.

Cement		Basic ingredient in concrete; also known as Portland cement.

Chairs, Concrete		Used to keep post tension cables and re-bar suspended in concrete slab during pouring.

Check		Lengthwise crack across the grain in a piece of lumber.

Chimney Cap		Protects brick or siding from the weather and keeps water from entering that area; generally metal.

Chord		Any principal member of a truss.

Clear Final		Final inspection that has been passed.

Codes		Collection of national, regional and local requirements or rules that must be followed during any construction activity, commercial or residential. Major areas of concern are structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, A/C, and fire codes.

Collar Beam		Tie that keeps the roof from spreading; connects similar rafters on opposite sides of roof; not actually a beam.

Collar Tie		Framing brace used to tie together opposing rafters at the ridge line.

Column		Vertical structural member of steel or wood; provides intermediate support for framing above.

Corbel		Design in which a course of brick projects beyond the course below.

Coring/Filler		Blocking between headers.

Corner Bead		Metal accessory used to finish and strengthen exposed corners of walls finished with wallboard or plaster.

Corner Bracing		Diagonal strips used to keep the frame square and plumb; plywood sheeting can also be used.

Corner Post		Vertical member at the corner of the frame; receives inner and outer covering materials.

Cornice		Exterior finish on a building: trim, siding, windows, and doors.

Countersink		To bore a recess in wood for the head of a nail or screw; to drive the fastener into the recess below the wood's surface.

Cricket		Small structure built on a roof to divert water, usually away from a chimney; also called a saddle.

Cripple/Jack Stud		Vertical structure members above a header.

Crown		High point of a piece of lumber with a crook in it.


D

Damper		Device used to block airflow; used in A/C systems, ducts, fireplaces, etc.).

Dead End		End of a post tension cable to which a permanent casting is attached and nailed to inside of form.

Dead Load		Weight of all structures in place. (See live load).

Deadwood		Blocks nailed to frame providing a base to nail sheetrock to.

Deck		Strip or solid used to provide support for roof shingles; also used for plywood surface of floor.

Diverters		Sheetmetal used to divert water on roofs.

Dormer		Minor structure projecting from a sloping roof; usually containing a window or ventilating louver.

Dormer/Dog House		Vertical framing which projects from a sloping roof.

Double Hung Window		Type of window with two sashes that slide vertically past each other.

Downspouts		Pipe that leads the water down from the gutter.

Drip Cap		Metal molding above the frame of a window or exterior door that directs water beyond the surface of the window frame.

Drip Edge		Strip of material used to protect the edges of roof structure from water damage.


E

Easement		Right or privilege to use land, other than as a tenant, for a specific purpose (i.e., utility or telephone lines running across property).

Eaves		Lower edge of sloping roof; the part of the roof projecting beyond the outside wall of the home.

Enamel		Type of paint typically used on interior wood and some bathrooms and kitchens; usually a high gloss finish.

Escutcheon		Shield used around pipes to cover hole over-cut in wall.

Expansion Joint [1]		Strip of flexible material, usually asphalt or treated lumber, inserted between sections of a large concrete slab to permit expansion and prevent cracking.

Expansion Joint [2]		Vertical seam in a brick wall, unmortared, allowing expansion and contraction of the brick wall; usually filled with caulk.

Eyebrow		Small roof projecting from the outside wall over a window.


F

Facia/Fascia		Face board run around home to cover rafter tails.

Felt		Shingle underlayment.

Finger Jointing		Factory method of cutting, fitting, and gluing short lengths of lumber together to form longer lengths.

Firebox		Portion of the fireplace that contains the fire.

Firestop		Material installed to stop fire from spreading to other areas.

Flashing		Sheet metal strips used to prevent leakage over windows, doors, etc., and around chimneys and roofs; or any rising projection. Non-corrosive sheet metal used for watertight seals around protrusions through the roof, such as chimneys, exhaust vents or step gables.

Flashing - Chimney		Sheet metal flashing providing a tight joint between chimney and roof.

Flashing "Counter"		Sheet metal incorporated in the masonry or siding of a chimney where it passes through the roof for the purpose of protecting the exposed ends of the roof flashing.

Flash "J"		Used on the roof to channel water away around the chimney, dormers, gables, etc. (similar to a gutter).

Flashing "Z"		Used where 4 x 8 siding is attached vertically (i.e., top end batts to lower end).

Flashing Brick		Cut in the brick to cover "J" flashing; also called "counter" flashing.

Flashing Window		Metal molding above the frame of a window or exterior door that directs water beyond the surface of the window frame.

Flatwork		Walks, drives, patios.

Float		One of the sheetrock finishing stages, which include hang, tape, float, and skim.

Float Forms		Used to create lower edges and brick ledges on forms before pouring slabs.

Flush - Even		Continued surface of two contiguous masses in the same plane or same level.

Fly Rafter		End rafter of a gable roof with a side overhang.

Footing		Concrete pad that carries the entire weight of the home upon the earth.

Form		Structure built to hold and shape concrete.

Form Bumping		Hitting form with sledge to move stones in concrete away from forms.

Foundation		Part of a building that rests on a footing or is poured monolithically of concrete on properly compacted or virgin soil; supports the entire structure above it.

Foundation Wall		Wall of poured concrete or concrete blocks that rests on the footing and supports the remainder of the home.

Furrdown		Portion of the ceiling which is lower, allowing for cabinet, recessed lights, etc.

Furring		Falsework or framework necessary to bring the surface over masonry to where the finished wall will be constructed.


G

Gable		Triangular end of a building with a sloping roof; triangular end of exterior wall above eaves; end of ridged roof which is not returned on itself but cut off in vertical plane, and is triangular above the eaves due to slope of roof.

Galvanic Action		Corrosion that results when two dissimilar metals touch each other in the presence of water.

Gambrel Ceiling		Ceiling design in which the center of the ceiling is raised per plan; sides of the ceiling angle down to meet walls at the normal wall height.

Girder		Main beam upon which floor joists rest.

Glazing Area		Window area.

Glue-Laminating		Factory method of building beams and wide boards by gluing lengths of like-sized lumber together either side to side or edge to edge.

Grade		Level off to smooth sloping surface for proper drainage.

Grade Strings		Used to ensure level slab.

Grout		Concrete patching made of Portland concrete and sand; used in tilework.

Gyp		Treated fireboard used between brick and frame; provides a moisture barrier and insulation.


H

Header		Structural member carrying load of wall above opening for windows or doors. Material used in the area above a door or window opening to carry the weight perpendicularly to studs.

Hearth		Floor of a fireplace that extends into the room for safety purposes.

Hip		External angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof.

Holidays		Areas on walls or siding that the paint does not completely cover.

Home Run		Main wire of a circuit running to an area to be provided with electricity.

Honeycombs		Rough or broken areas of concrete on the side of the slab caused by the stones in the concrete not being moved away from the surface when poured.

Hot mop		Process of applying hot tar to the roof prior to laying shingles.

HVAC		Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning; also known as climate control.


I

Inspection Plates		Covers that can be removed to check plumbing.

Interior Trim		IInterior doorjambs and wood molding.


J

J-Bolt		Bolt which fastens columns, girders or other members to concrete or masonry; resembles the letter "J"; fastens the bottom plate to the foundation.

Jack Stud		Vertical structure members above a header.

Jamb		Side of a window or door opening; side member of a door or window frame.

Jambs		Blocking inside door casing against which the door rests when closed.

Joint Compound		Chemical mixture in powder or paste form for finishing joints, filling dimples, and covering nicks in gypsum wallboard.

Joint Tape		Perforated tape that is embedded in joint compound to reduce the chance of cracking at joints in gypsum wallboard.

Joist		Piece of lumber running across the ceiling of a room from top plate on which the sheetrock is attached. In a two-story structure, the downstairs ceiling joist is also the 2nd story floor joist (the structural members that hold up the floor or ceiling).

Joist Hanger		Steel or iron stirrups used to support the ends of joists which are to be flush with beams or other joist.


K

K-Top		Kitchen counter top that is sometimes made of plastic laminate.

Keeper/Strike Plate		Metal plate that engages deadbolt when door is closed; attached to doorjamb.

Kicker Stakes		Stakes used to hold forms straight while pouring slab.

Kiln-Drying		Method of removing excess moisture from lumber using heat in a special oven. (See air-drying).

Knee Wall		Short wall under a slope, usually in attic space.


L

Lath		Mesh made from sheet metal, or gypsum board, onto which plaster is applied.

Let-In Brace		Board set into notches cut diagonally across studs at the corner of a home built using wood frame construction.

Lintel		Exterior area above a window in which plywood or other material is used as finish material. When brick is laid above window, door or fireplace, steel beam used to hold it up is called a brick lintel.

Live End		End of a post tension cable which is run through the form and secured with a cathead. This is the end which is pulled when the cables are stressed.

Live Load		Total variable weight on a structural member or system; includes weights of people and furnishings. (See dead load).

Lookout/ Cornice		Piece of 2 x 4 nailed to 1 x 4 band around the home to which the soffit and fascia board are secured.

Louvers		Series of slanted slots arranged to keep out rain, but allow ventilation.


M

Make-Up		Preparation of foundation prior to placing concrete, installation of beams, poly, cables, and re-bar.

Manual "J"		A/C plan calculation detail.

Masonry Veneer		Outer surface of wall, brick or stone.

Mastic		Black tar type cement used as a sealing agent around PVC in the slab.

Mesh		Wire reinforcement placed in concrete.

Mitered Joints		Joint made by cutting two pieces at an angle and fitting them together.

Moisture Content		Amount of water remaining in wood after drying, stated as a percentage of the total amount of water the wood could hold.

MPS		Minimum Property Standards.


N

NEC		National Electric Code

Newel Post		Post that terminates the railing.


O

Oriented Strand Board		Panel made of wood strands aligned in three layers. Alternate layers are positioned approximately perpendicular to one another.

Overhang		Part of a roof that extends beyond supporting walls.


P

P-Trap		Curve in drainpipes designed to hold water and prevent gas from coming back into the home.

Penny		A designation, written as d, for the length of a nail at least 1" long (i.e. 10 penny nail).

Piers		Concrete footings used in certain conditions.

Pitch of Roof		Amount of slope to rafters; described in terms of number of inches of fall per horizontal foot of roof.

Plat		Plan showing homesite dimensions, street locations, easements and other physical descriptions of Communities.

Plates		2 x 4 material at bottom and top of walls.

Platform Framing		Type of construction in which floor platforms are framed independently; also, second floors are supported by studs of only one story weight; also called western framing.

Plasticity Index		Index which describes the soil's tendency to absorb water and hence, expand and contract; very sandy soil is at the low end, as it does not expand or contract when wet; clay is at the high end.

Plumb		True according to a plumb line; perpendicular; vertical; to true up vertically, as a wall, by use of a plumb line, indirect line with gravity.

Plumbing Grounds		That part of the plumbing system located within and beneath the concrete in the slab.

Plumbing Top-Out		Plumbing rough-in is complete and ready for drywall.

Plumbing Trim		Plumbing fixtures installed in the final stage of plumbing - everything hooked up, tested, adjusted, and operational.

Plumbing Vent		Vertical pipe through the roof providing an escape for foul gases from sanitary fixture. This flow of air to drainage system equalizes pressures and protects trap seals from siphonage and back pressure.

Pop Off Valve		Pressure relief valve on water heater to prevent excess pressure.

Post Tension Cables		Steel cables under tension after the concrete has hardened; used to reinforce concrete slabs.

Primary Drain - A/C		Main drain for the A/C unit; tied directly into a bath drain.

Prime		The initial coat of paint.

PSI		Pounds per square inch.

Punch Out		Process of completely checking out a home with an appropriate checklist.

Purlin		2 x material placed on edge perpendicular to rafters to prevent roof sags.

Purlin Bracing		Bracing used to support rafters by placing weight of roof on load bearing walls.

PVC		Poly Vinyl Chloride - vinyl piping used in plumbing systems.


Q


R

R-Value		Resistance to heat flow through a combination of materials forming a wall, floor, ceiling, or other construction.

Rabbet		Groove cut in or near the edge of a piece of lumber to receive the edge of another piece.

Rafters		Structural members of the roof.

Rafters - Barge		Non-weight bearing rafter at gable end nailed to lookouts.

Rafters - Common		Runs from ridge rafter to the top plate.

Rafter - Hip		Runs from hip to top plate.

Rafters - Jack		Runs from ridge rafter to valley rafter or from hip rafter to plate.

Rafters - Valley		Runs from ridge to valley.

Rafters - Ridge		Rafter at highest horizontal point of home.

Rake		Inclined portion of cornice; angle of slope of a roof rafter, commonly spoken of as the rake of the roof, the gable.

Rat Run		1 x 4 nailed to tops of ceiling joists to prevent curling, mainly used with trusses.

Rebar		Steel bars used to reinforce concrete slab.

Reglaze		Replacement of a broken window.

Reinforced Concrete Beam		Girders or beams made of concrete which has been strengthened by using of reinforcing steel bars, trenched out of the earth to form during the slab make-up.

Reveal		Depth of a window or door opening, usually measured from the surface of the exterior wall to the face of the door or window.

Ridge		Top intersection of two opposite adjoining roof surfaces.

Roll Roofing		Finish roofing material manufactured in rolls, composed of fibers saturated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral chips or an asphalt coating.

Romex - Wiring		Type of wiring used by electricians to wire home.

Romex Connector		Connector used to connect Romex in metal junction boxes.

Roof Insulation		Insulating material - usually rock wool or fiberglass - in a blanket form placed between the roof rafters or ceiling joists for the purpose of insulating the home.

Roof Jack		Lead or plastic covers that come in various widths that fit around vent pipes protruding through roofs to prevent leaks around those pipes.

Roof Rafters		Structural members that rest on the plate and support the roof.

Roof Sheathing		Boards that provide the base for the finished roof.

Roofing		Asphalt shingles - or tile, slate, or metal - that form the outer protection against the weather.

Rowlock		Brick laid perpendicular to brick wall with slight overhang for appearance; sometimes sloped for drainage (i.e., under windows).


S

"S" Hooks		Wire hooks shaped like "S" used to maintain proper positioning of beam cables.

Saddle		Small structure built on a roof to divert water, usually away from a chimney; also called a cricket.

Secondary Drain - A/C		Overflow drain stubbed out over a window as a backup in case of primary drain stoppage.

Setback		Required distance from curb to actual front of home; actual distance from property line to sides of home; distance between a property line and the nearest point at which a building can be built (as established by local ordinance).

Sheathing		First layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs.

Shim		Thin piece of material, usually wood, used to fill in gaps, as when leveling a structural stone, framing member or door.

Shiplap		L-shaped edge cut into boards and some sheet materials to form overlapping joint with adjacent pieces of the same material. Also, board with shiplapped edge, and the action of cutting such an edge.

Siding		In general, any exterior material for finishing a wall. More commonly, an exterior material applied horizontally with lapped horizontal joints.

Slab		Finished concrete foundation.

Slump		Relative consistency or stiffness of the fresh concrete mix.

Soffit		Underside of roof overhang; exposed underside of the roof-projection of eaves, frequently with openings for attic ventilation.

Soffit Vent		Opening cut and covered with screen wire to allow ventilation into attic.

Soldier Course		Course of brick where the bricks are laid so they are all standing on end with the sides facing out.

Solid Bridging		Blocking between joists cut from the same material as the joists themselves; used to stiffen the floor.

Span		Distance between structural supports, measured horizontally.

Square		At 90° or a right angle; also, the process of cutting at a right angle.

Stair Rail		Bar used for a handhold when using the stairs.

Stair Riser		Vertical board connecting one tread to the next.

Stair Stringer		Sloping board that supports the ends of the steps.

Stair Tread		Horizontal strip where we put our foot when climbing stairs.

Starter Shingles		First row of shingles laid backwards at eaves with ½" to 1" overlap of fascia.

Stirrup		Device used to hold cables in proper location in beams.

Stomp		Pattern on ceiling created by dipping a large brush into texture compound.

Stressing		Application of "pull" on the cables, usually to 80% of breaking strength.

Strong Backs		Made of usable form lumber; installed on top of ceiling joists, perpendicular to joists and nailed into rafters to tie ceiling joists together.

Structural Member		Support that is a component of any structure.

Stud		Vertical structural members of walls - generally 2 x 4 lumber.

Stud Shoe		Metal reinforcement over 2 x 4 stud when plumbing pipe passes through stud.

Subfloor		Plywood or other acceptable material that is applied below the finished flooring material.

Swale		Shallow channel in the grading designed to allow water to drain away from the home. Swales are normally cut down property lines from back to front with the yards on either side sloping towards the swale.


T

T & G		Abbreviation for tongue-and-groove and also for tar-and-gravel.

Tee - Framing		Intersection of two walls in framing of home.

Texture		Sand finish over sheetrock prior to paint.

Threshold		Beveled piece of wood, metal, stone, or concrete set at the sill of a hinged exterior door and sometimes under interior doors, to cover the joint formed between different flooring materials.

Toekick		Recess under the front of a base cabinet at the floor line.

Toenail		To nail at an angle to the surface.

Top Coat		Top coat of paint after home has been primed. Final coat.

Top Plate		Horizontal member nailed to the top of the partition or wall studding.

Truss		Combination of members, such as beams, bars and ties, usually arranged in triangular units to form a rigid framework for supporting loads over a span. In a roof truss, the top chord replaces a rafter and the bottom chord replaces a ceiling joist.

Tub Hangers		Metal device nailed to stud used to secure bathtub.


U

Undercoat		Lacquer primer applied to all interior raw wood surfaces.

Underground Elec. Svc.		Underground cable connecting home to power source.


V

Valley		Depressed angle formed by the meeting at the bottom of two inclined sides of a roof.

Valley Flashing		Water proofing the valley either a metal valley pan or by using heavy weight roofing underlayment below shingles.

Vapor Barrier		Used to prevent moisture from passing from one area to another - walls, slab, etc. - usually polyethylene.

Vikon		Metal wall protector mounted over the range to protect the wall from grease splatters.


W

Wall Cover		Inner surface of wall, of plaster on lath, gypsum board, or plywood.

Wall Flashing		Flashing at top of roof rake where it meets brick wall (i.e. where front porch attaches to front brick wall).

Wall Insulation		Blanket of wool, reflective foil, or other insular material placed inside the walls.

Wall Out		Apply latex paint on all drywalled walls in home.

Wall Ties		Galvanized metal strip nailed to studs and placed in brick mortar joints to secure brick veneer to frame.

Warp		Any variation from straight in a piece of lumber.

Warranty Date		Date mortgage loan is closed.

Water Cut-Off		Valve at water service to allow turning water off to home - can be outside or inside behind an access panel.

Water Service		Where water line enters slab to supply water to each home.

Water Table		Level below the surface to the ground at which water is present.

Weep Holes		Regular spaces between bricks (usually every 4) on bottom course of wall to allow air circulation and provide a conduit for accumulated moisture to drain from behind the brick wall.

Wind Brace (Gable)		2 x 4 run from top of gable, back at 45° to beam or top plate in attic space.

Window Stool		Window sill.

Wing Wall		Decorative brick wall on front of some homes to give the home a larger appearance.

Z

Zero Lot Line		Term referring to the manner in which a home is located on a homesite with no setback from one side of the homesite line.