This document provides definitions and descriptions of various construction terms and materials. It discusses components of building framing, roofing, masonry, plumbing, electrical systems, windows, doors, insulation, vapor barriers, and other elements. Definitions include air barriers, batt insulation, brick bonds, cladding types, concrete joints, framing elements, gypsum board, mortar types, rebar, roof drainage components, siding, steep roof materials, stone types, vapor retarders, waterproofing, weep holes, and welded wire fabric. Dimensions and purposes are provided for many items.

1. Sp10ConcreteBSCI 2400April 25, 2010Visual Dictionary

2. Air Barrier PaperA membrane that is applied over the sheathing in order to close up the joints and prevent air passage into the building.

3. Attic Ventilation Important for allowing water vapor and heat to escape the attic space.Ridge Vent: a vent placed over the gap where the roof decking meets at the ridge

4. Attic Ventilation ContinuedSoffit Vent- allows air to come into the bottom of the attic so that the hot air can be pushed through the gable and ridge vents.Attic Ventilation ContinuedGable Vent- vent usually found on the upper portion of the house that allows heat and water vapor to escape

5. BackhoeHeavy machinery with a bucket used to dig footings for foundations and other excavation situations.

6. 2 ft. bucket widthBatter BoardsDefinition:Boards used during the rough site work and excavation period to create the temporary outline of where the building will be constructed. Helps ensure the building footings will be square and straight.

7. Brick ArchesRadius Arch

8. Brick Arches ContinuedJack Arch

9. Brick Arches ContinuedArch with a Keystone:

10. Centering: the formwork used to support the arch during constructionBrick BondsRunning Bond- All stretchers, each course offset by half a brick

11. Flemish bond- stretcher and header alternate during courseBrick Bonds ContinuedRowlocks

12. HeadersBrick Bonds ContinuedSoldiers

13. Stretcher RowlocksBrick Bonds ContinuedSailorsBrick SizesStandard Brick:3½”X 2¼”X 8” Utility Brick:3½”X 3½” X 11 ½”

14. BulldozerA piece of heavy equipment with a large blade on the front used to move large amounts of dirt around the site and set grade.CladdingBrickEIFS

15. Cladding ContinuedWood ShinglesShingles- sawn with smooth surfaceShakes- split and have rougher exterior StoneRandom Rubble

16. Cladding ContinuedWood BoardsCode RequirementsBedroom Window:

17. Minimum opening of 5.7 sq.ft.(only 5.0 if sill is less than 44” AFF)

18. Minimum opening width:20”

19. Minimum opening height: 24”

20. Actual Measurements: 26 ¾” h X 29 ½” w= 5.48 sq.ft.21” AFF Window Meets Code

21. Code Requirements ContinuedWood Stairs:

22. Code: Tread: 10” minimum Riser: 7 ¾” maximum Actual: Tread: 11 ¾” Riser: 7 ¼”Meets Requirements

23. Concrete JointsControl Joint- A groove cut into the concrete that is ¼ of the depth of the concrete slab

24. Purpose: To intentionally create a point of weakness in the concrete to better control where it will crack instead of allowing it to crack randomly.Concrete Joints ContinuedIsolation Joint- Separates one slab of concrete from another slab, wall or column.Concrete Masonry Unit(CMU)A block of hardened concrete with or without hollow cores that comes in many different sizes and be filled in with concrete for additional strength.

25. 1 CMU=3 Brick Courses

26. Standard Size(Nominal): 8” X 8” X 16”Actual Size: 7 5/8” X 7 5/8” X 15 5/8”

27. CMU Continued4” Block

28. 12” BlockDecorative CMUSplit BlockRibbed Block

29. DoorsFlush DoorDoorsPanel Door:PanelStileTop RailLock RailBottom Rail

30. DoorsTransom: a small window directly above a door

31. Sidelight: a tall, narrow window alongside a doorElectrical ComponentsPower Pole with Transformer- Steps voltage down to desired amount (110/220 Volts)

32. Service Head- Assembly by which electricity is conducted from outdoor lines to the meter baseElectrical ComponentsMeter- Keeps track of the amount of electricity being used.

33. Service Panel- Contains the main disconnect and circuit breakersElectrical ComponentsDuplex Receptacle: Used for plugging in household items such as lamps, phone, etc.Framing ElementsAnchor BoltsSill Plate Floor Joists

34. Framing Elements4. Subflooring5. Sole Plate6. Stud7. Top Plate

35. Framing Elements8. Ceiling Joists9. Rafters10. Roof Decking11. Sheathing

36. Front End LoaderPiece of heavy machinery used for transporting large amounts of soil or dirt from different points on the site or for loading dump trucks for the removal of the dirt from the site. Gypsum BoardAn interior facing panel consisting of a gypsum core between two paper faces.

37. Usually sanded and painted

38. Also known as “dry wall”Heat PumpCompressor/Evaporator: Compresses gases which gives off heat. The air cools as it blows across the cooling coils in the air handler

39. Advantage: Highly efficient in mild climates

40. Disadvantage: May need additional heating source in areas with very cold climates. Not used as much up north.

41. Air handling unit: forces air through a duct system with a strong fanInsulationPurpose: to reduce the heat flow through the assembly of a buildingBatt/Blanket- rolls or sheets of insulation easily installed between the studs in wallsLoose Fill- fiberglass insulation blown into place between ceiling joists in attics

42. InsulationFoamed- a mixture of two chemicals that react to form very affective insulation that also completely fills in cracks.Rigid Board- comes in 4’X8’ sheets and is used as exterior sheathing for basement walls

43. LintelA beam that carries the load of a wall across a window or opening

44. Steel lintelMortarFlush Joint:

45. Troweled

46. 3/8” Joint

47. Engineering Building

48. Most likely Type S(Medium High Strength) MortarMortar ContinuedRaked Joint:

49. Tooled

50. 5/8” Joint

51. Residential Building

52. Type N MortarOriented Strand Board(OSB)A nonveneered building panel composed of long sheets of wood fiber oriented in specific directions and bonded together under pressure.PlumbingLavatoryTypical 1 ½” Drain PipingWater ClosetTypical 3” Drain/Waste Pipe

53. PlumbingPlumbing VentPlumbing Vent: allows the plumbing system to drain by letting air in and eliminating the vacuum affect a closed drain would create

54. PlumbingManufactured Shower/Tub PlumbingDrop-In SinkPlywoodA wood panel composed of an odd number of layers of wood veneer bonded together under pressure.

55. Veneer- A thin layer, sheet, or facing.Radiant BarrierA reflective foil placed adjacent to an airspace in the roof or wall to prevent the passage of infrared energy by reflecting it back.RebarThe deformations found on the rebar helps the concrete bond to the rebar for better support.

56. Size: #4 Rebar (1/2”)Steep Roof DrainageGutter- a channel that collects rainwater and snowmelt at the eave of the roofSteep Roof DrainageDownspout- a vertical pipe for conducting water from the roof to a lower levelSteep Roof DrainageSplashblock-A small precast block of concrete or plastic used to divert water at the bottom of a downspout and prevent ground erosion.Steep Roof MaterialsUnderlayment- Layer of waterproof materials that protects the sheathing from getting wet until the roofing can be applied.

57. Also called building felt.Steep Roof MaterialsClay Tile Roof

58. Steep Roof MaterialsShingles- Small units applied in overlapping layers with staggered vertical joints. Allows for expansion and contraction and vent water vapor easily

59. Type- Wood ShakesSteep Roof MaterialsMetal Roof:

60. Common materials- copper, aluminum, tin. Steep Roof ShapesGambrel GableSteep Roof ShapesHip

61. MansardSteep Roof TermsRidge-top of roof where edges meet

62. Valley-where two slopes come together

63. Eave-lowest horizontal line

64. Fascia- exposed vertical face of the eave

65. Soffit- the underside of the roofing overhang

66. Rake- a fascia on a slopeSteep Roof TermsBuilding without a fascia:StoneRandom RubbleCoursed Rubble

67. StoneRandom AshlarCoursed Ashlar

68. Vapor RetarderA layer of material intended to obstruct the passage of water vapor through a building assembly.

69. Usually placed on inside of the building.WaterproofingAn impervious membrane applied to the outside of the foundation to prevent water passage.

70. Fully AdheredWeep HoleA small opening with the purpose of permitting the drainage of water that accumulates inside a building assembly. Welded Wire Fabric Laid inside form work prior to pouring concrete to provide better support for the concrete. Helps prevent cracking and separating during periods of freezing and thawing.

71. Supported by high chairs.

72. 6” X 6” gridWindowsSliding Window- unlike hung and double-hung windows that move in the vertical direction, sliding windows open and close in the horizontal direction.

73. WindowsOut-swinging Casement Window- hinged along the vertical edge of the windowWindowsSingle-Hung Window: only the bottom sash can be opened and closed