This document provides definitions and descriptions of various construction materials and building components. It includes explanations of air barriers, attic ventilation components like soffit vents and ridge vents, excavation equipment like backhoes and front end loaders, foundation components like batter boards, types of brick bonds and brick sizes, concrete joints, concrete masonry units, doors and windows, electrical system parts, framing elements, insulation materials, masonry units, plumbing fixtures, roofing materials and components, siding materials, steel components, and more.

1. Air Barrier PaperA polyolefin sheet material that is permeable to water vapor but not to air or liquid water.Air barriers protect the structure from weather to ensure that the interior walls do not become mildewed and corroded. Also they help to reduce energy used by limiting airflow.

2. Attic Ventilation Soffit Ventlocated at the eave of a roof, permit generous airflow to the rafter space as they act as the intake to the attic’s ventilation.

3. Attic VentilationRidge VentRidge Vents, located at the highest point of a roof, allows air to be exhausted while still protecting the attic from weather.

4. Attic VentilationGable Ventlocated high in the wall at opposite ends of an attic. Gable vents create a cross draft to help ventilate the attic.

5. Attic Ventilation Roof TurbineRoof Turbines use wind to expel air out of the attic to ensure the moist air does not settle in the attic and begin to mold.

6. Combo Backhoe/Front end loaderPiece of equipment used in the excavation of a site consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-piece articulated arm. This bucket is thirty inches wide.

7. Batter BoardsBoards that are set horizontally along the edge of a foundation, which are used to support strings that outline the foundation.

8. Brick ArchesRoman Arch

9. Brick ArchesTudor Arch

10. Brick ArchesArch with A Keystone

11. Brick ArchesCenteringCentering is the process of setting up temporary formwork in the process of building an arch, dome, or vault.

12. Brick BondsRunning BondRunning Bond is the simplest of the basic pattern bonds, consisting of all stretchers. Running bond can be laid in half bond, a third, or a quarter bond pattern

13. Brick BondsFlemish BondFlemish Bond consists of alternating stretchers and headers, with the headers in alternate courses centered over the stretchers in the intervening courses.

14. Brick BondsRowlocks Headers

15. Brick BondsSoldiers Sailors

16. Brick BondsStretcher Rowlocks (shiners)

17. Brick SizesModular Standard3 ⅝ x 7⅝ x 2¼3⅝ x 11⅝ x 1⅝

18. BulldozerA heavy engineering vehicle that has a large vertically mounted blade in the front that is used to move earth, tree stumps etc.

19. CladdingBrick EIFS

20. CladdingStone Wood BoardsRandom Ashlar

21. CladdingWood ShinglesWood Shakes: a shingle split from a block of woodWood Shingle: is sawn from a block of woodThis is a picture of Wood shingles

22. Code RequirementsMy WindowMy bedroom window:Width – 30”Height – 51”Net Opening – 10.6 sq.ft.Sill Height – 27”Code Requirements:Width – 20”Height – 24”Net Opening – 5.7 sq. ft.Still Height – 44”My window meets the code requirements for egress as it meets the minimum height, width, opening measurements and the sill height is less than 44”

23. Code requirementsStairsMy Stairs:Tread - 10½”Riser – 7Code Requirements:Tread – 10” minimumRiser 7¾” maximumMy stairs meet the code requirements for tread and riser maximum and minimum

24. Concrete jointsControl jointAn intentional groove strategically placed to prevent cracking in a slab of concrete.

25. Concrete JointsIsolation JointThis is an isolation joint between a pool hot tub and the concrete slab poured next to it. Polyethylene foam was put between the rock wall and the slab before the caulking was put in the joint to seal it.

26. Concrete JointsIsolation JointIsolation joints isolate concete slabs from another thing, such a wall, column, drain pipe, etc.

27. Concrete Masonry UnitsCMU’sThe work horses of masonry construction. In residential construction, they serve primarily in foundations, retaining walls, and fireplaces.

28. Concrete Masonry UnitCMU’sThe most common CMU block is nominally8 x 8 x 16 inches

29. Decorative Masonry UnitsSplit Block Ribbed Block

30. DoorsFlush Door

31. Doors 6 Panel DoorTop RailPanelStileLock RailBottom Rail

32. DoorsTransom A window above a door that is usually hinged to a horizontal crosspiece over the door

33. DoorsSidelightA tall, narrow window alongside a door.

34. ElectricalPower Pole with transformerAn electrical device that changes the voltage of alternating current.

35. ElectricalService HeadThe service head is where the power lines connect to the house

36. ElectricalService Head

37. ElectricalMeterMeasures power usage of the home.

38. ElectricalService PanelHouses the breakers, which act as fuses, for the electrical circuits in the home.

39. ElectricalDuplex ReceptacleElectrical outlet with space for two plugs

40. Framing1. Anchor Bolt 2. Sill Plate

41. Framing3. Floor Joist 4. Subflooring

42. Framing5. Sole Plate 6. Stud

43. Framing 7. Top Plate 8. Unfinished Stringer

44. Framing9. Ceiling Joist 10. Rafter

45. Framing 11. Roof Decking 12. Sheathing

46. Front End LoaderFront-end loaders are used to move a material from one place to another. Unlike the bulldozer, the front-end loader can pick up material in its bucket whereas a bulldozer can only push the material. A front-end loader cannot dig into the ground like a backhoe can do.

47. Gypsum BoardWall board made of layers of fiberboard or paper bonded to a gypsum core

48. Heat PumpCompressor/evaporatorAdvantage: Has the ability to both heat and coolDisadvantage: Difficult to zoneFan moves outdoor air across coils containing refrigerant to change the temperature of the refrigerant.

49. Heat PumpAir Handling UnitConditions and circulates the air in an air-conditioning unit

50. InsulationBatt/blanketMost popular type of insulation for wall cavities. Also used in some attics, roofs, and floors.

51. InsulationLoose FillMost commonly used in attics because it is inexpensive and leaves few voids with no gaps between pieces

52. InsulationFoamedHas a very high R valueIs sprayed between wall studsAt the time of spraying, the components are dense liquids, but they react immediately with one another to produce a low density foam.

53. InsulationRigid BoardUsed where high R-value per unit thickness is necessary. Commonly found in roof assemblies, walls and ceilings where insulation thickness is limited, and in below grade areas with a special water resistant composition.

54. Steel LintelA beam that carries the load of a wall across a window or door opening.

55. MortarConcave jointTooled, Concave3/8” wideResidential BuildingMortar Type: N

56. MortarConcave joint

57. MortarExtrudingjointNeither tooled or troweled½ inch wideResidential buildingType N mortar

58. Mortar Extrudingjoint

59. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)A non-veneered building panel composed of long shreds of wood fiber oriented in specific directions and bonded together under pressure. The strands of rectangular wood strips are held together by a wax and resin adhesive.

60. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

61. PlumbingLavatory1 ½” pipe is used to drain a lavatory

62. PlumbingWater Closet3” pipe is used to drain a toilet

63. PlumbingManufactured tub unit

64. PlumbingVentThe Vent Through Roof (VTR) maintains a system of plumbing drains and waste lines at atmospheric pressure by connecting them to the outdoor air.

65. PlumbingUndermount sink Integrated sink

66. PlywoodA wood panel composed of an odd number of layers of wood veneer and bonded together under pressure.Veneer – A thin layer, sheet or facing.

67. PlywoodDefine the word “veneer”

68. Radiant Barrier

69. Rebar#5 Rebar, 5/8”Deformations in rebar are to help prevent slipping

70. Steep Roof DrainageGutterA narrow channel which collects rainwater from the roof of a building and diverts it away from the structure, typically into a drain. The main purpose of a rain gutter is to protect a building‘s foundation by channeling water away from its base

71. Steep Roof DrainageDownspoutFeeds the water collected by the rain gutter

72. Steep Roof DrainageSplashblockUsed in order to prevent soil erosion/moisture problems around the foundation of a building or house. Leads the water away from foundation

73. Steep Roof MaterialsUnderlaymentRoof underlayments are designed to protect the roof sheathing and structure from moisture and penetration. This example was a scrap piece I found on site.

74. Steep Roof MaterialsClay Tile Roof

75. Steep Roof MaterialsCedar Shingles Slate ShinglesA thin oblong piece of material, such as wood or slate, that is laid in overlapping rows to cover the roof or sides of a house or other building.

76. Steep Roof MaterialsMetal Panel RoofGalvanized Steel

77. Steep Roof ShapesGable Gambrel

78. Steep Roof ShapesHip Roof Mansard Roof

79. Steep Roof TermsRidgelevel intersection of 2 roof planes in a gable roofValleyTrough formed by the intersection of 2 roof slopes

80. Steep Roof TermsEaveIs the edge of a roof. They usually project beyond the side of the building to provide weather protection.

81. Steep Roof TermsRakeSloping edge of steep roof

82. Steep Roof TermsFasciaExposed vertical surface of an eave

83. Steep Roof TermsSoffitUndersurface of a horizontal element of a building

84. Photo of building without Fascia

85. StoneRandom Rubble Coursed Rubble

86. StoneRandom Ashlar Coursed Ashlar

87. Vapor RetarderPlaced between insulation and sheathing, prevents condensation of water vaporIs put on the warm in winter side

88. WaterproofingImpervious membrane applied to the outside of a foundationPrevents penetration of water

89. Weep HoleA small opening whose purpose is to permit drainage of water that accumulates inside a building component or assembly.

90. Weep Hole

91. Welded Wire FabricMeasurements

92. WindowsDouble HungHas two panes which slide up or down onto each other

93. WindowsCasementHas one vertically hinged window swinging outward

94. WindowsSingle Hung?Why is it a single hung?