This document provides definitions and descriptions of various building science and construction terms. It covers topics like framing elements, doors, windows, roofing, masonry, plumbing, electrical, insulation, and more. Each term is concisely defined or described along with relevant details, dimensions, or examples. The document acts as a visual dictionary to familiarize readers with industry terminology.

1. BSCI 2300 Visual Dictionary

2. Air Barrier PaperA sheet material used as both a vapor retarder and an air barrier

3. Attic VentilationTo allow water vapor to escape, but also to keep the house cooler in the summerSoffit Vent

4. Attic VentilationRidge VentGable Vent

5. Attic VentilationRoof Turbine

6. BackhoeA mechanical excavator that draws toward itself a bucket attached to a hinged boom24” Bucket width

7. Batter BoardsA temporary frame built just outside the corner of an excavation to carry marks that lie on the surface planes of the foundation

8. Brick ArchesRoman ArchJack Arch

9. Brick Arches - KeystoneArch with a keystone

10. Brick Arches - CenteringTemporary formwork for an arch, dome, or vault

11. Brick BondsRunning Bond – repeating layers of stretcher coursesFlemish Bond – the courses alternate between headers and stretchers

12. Brick BondsRowlocksHeaders

13. Brick BondsSoldiersShiners

14. Brick BondsSailors

15. Brick SizesModular Brick – 3 ½” x 2 ¼” x 7 ½”Utility Brick – 3 ½” x 3 ½” x 11 ½”

16. BulldozerA powerful tractor with a broad upright blade at the front for clearing ground

17. CladdingBrickEIFS

18. CladdingStone – random rubbleWood Boards

19. CladdingWood Shingles – thin tapered slabs of wood, with the grain of wood running parallel to the length of the shingleWood Shakes – split from the wood rather than sawn, much more irregular face texture than wood shinglesTheses are wood shakes

20. Code RequirementsWindow Codes:W = 20” minimumH = 24” minimum5.7 Sq Ft minimumMy Window:W = 32 ¾” H = 28”6.7 Sq FtSuitable as a means of egress

21. Code RequirementsStair Code:Tread = 11” minRiser = 7 ¾” maxMy Stairs:Tread = 11 ½”Riser = 7”Meets IBC Requirements

22. Concrete JointsControl Joint – An intentional, linear discontinuity in a structure or component, designed to form a place of weakness where cracking can occur in response to various forces so as to minimize or eliminate cracking elsewhere in the structure

23. Concrete JointsIsolation Joint – joints that isolate the slab from a wall, column, or drainpipeIsolating the slab from the column

24. Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU)A block of hardened concrete, with or without hollow cores, designed to be laid in the same manner as a brick Typical Dimensions:7 5/8” x 15 5/8”

25. Decorative Concrete Masonry UnitsSplit BlockRibbed Block

26. DoorsFlush Door

27. DoorsPanel DoorA PanelA StileTop RailLock RailBottom Rail

28. DoorsTransom – A small window directly above a doorSidelight – A tall narrow window along-side a door

29. Electrical ComponentsPower Pole – a pole, mast, or tower that carries electric wiresService Head – the assembly by which electricity is conducted from outdoor lines to the meter base

30. Electrical ComponentsMeter – a device that measures the amount of electrical energy consumed by a residenceService Panel – divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits

31. Electrical ComponentsDuplex Receptacle – an AC power plug

32. Framing Elements1) Anchor Bolt2) Sill Plate

33. Framing Elements3) Floor Joist4) Subflooring

34. Framing Elements5) Sole Plate6) Stud

35. Framing Elements7) Top Plate8) Stringer

36. Framing Elements9) Ceiling Joist10) Rafter

37. Framing Elements11) Roof Decking12) Sheathing

38. Front End LoaderA machine with a scoop or bucket on an articulated arm at the front for digging and loading earthDiffers from bulldozer in that it has wheels and a bucket instead of tracks and a blade.

39. Gypsum BoardInterior facing panel made of a gypsum, core between two faces of paper

40. Heat PumpAdvantage of Heat Pump: Saving energy so that you can generate lower energy bills.Disadvantage of Heat Pump: in very cold climates a backup system may be needed to effectively heat a building.

41. Heat PumpCompressor/Evaporator – The working fluid, in its gaseous state, is pressurized and circulated through the system as a liquidAir Handling Unit – Conditioning and circulating air that is temperature controlled

42. InsulationBatt/BlanketLoose Fill

43. InsulationFoamedRigid BoardPurpose: To reduce heat flow through the assembly

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

45. MortarConcave Joint – troweled, 3/8”, Commercial building, type NRaked Joint – tooled, 3/8”, Residential building, type N

46. Oriented Strand BoardA nonveneered panel product which is made of long, strandlike wood particles compressed and glued into three to five layers

47. PlumbingLavatory:Drain Pipe Diameter: 1.5”Water Closet:Drain Pipe Diameter: 3”

48. PlumbingManufactured Tub Plumbing Vent

49. PlumbingKitchen SinkDrop in

50. PlywoodA wood panel composed of an odd number of layers of wood veneer bonded together under pressureVeneer – A thin layer, sheet, or facing

51. Radiant BarrierA reflective foil placed adjacent to an airspace in roof or wall assemblies as a deterrent to the passage of infrared energy

52. RebarThis rebar is .625” in diameter, it would be referred to as a #5 bar The deformations rolled into the surface of a reinforcing bar help it to bond tightly to concrete

53. Steep Roof DrainageGutter – a channel that collects rainwater and snowmelt at the eave of a roof Downspout – a vertical pipe for conducting water from a roof to a lower level Splash block – A small precast block of concrete or plastic used to divert water at the bottom of a downspout

54. Steep Roof MaterialsUnderlayment – a layer of waterproof material such as building felt between roof sheathing and roofingClay tile roof

55. Steep Roof MaterialsShingle – A small unit of water-resistant material nailed in overlapping fashion with many other such units to render a wall or sloping roof watertightMetal panel roof – panels, screws, neoprene washers

56. Steep Roof ShapesGableGambrel

57. Steep Roof ShapesHipMansard

58. Steep Roof TermsRidge – the level intersection of two roof planes going upwardsValley – a trough formed by the intersection of two downward sloped roofsEave – the horizontal edge at the low side of a sloping roofRake – sloping edge on a roof

59. Steep Roof TermsSoffit – the udersurface of a horizontal element of a building such as a roof overhangFascia – exposed vertical face of an eaveW/O Fascia

60. StoneRandom RubbleCoursed Rubble

61. StoneRandom AshlarCoursed Ashlar

62. Vapor RetarderA layer of material intended to obstruct the passage of water vapor through a building assemblyPlaced on the “warm in winter” side of the insulation

63. WaterproofingAn impervious membrane applied to the outside of a foundation. Keeps water from entering the structureFully Adhered

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

65. Welded Wire FabricA grid of steel rods that are welded together, used to reinforce a concrete slab

66. WindowsCasement – This is an outswinging casement window because it is hinged along the side of the windowDouble hung – This is a double hung window because both sashes of the window move freely

67. WindowsSingle Hung – This is a single hung window because one sash of the window moves freely