This document provides definitions and descriptions of various construction and building terms. It defines terms related to roofing like gable roof, ridge, eave and valley. It also describes materials like brick, concrete masonry units, gypsum board, insulation and rebar. Mechanical systems like heat pumps and their components are outlined. Plumbing items like lavatories, drain pipes and sinks are defined. Tools are also described, such as backhoes, bulldozers and front end loaders.

1. Visual Dictionary

2. Air Barrier PaperThis is house wrap and it is a thin plastic that stops air infiltration into the house and acts as a water barrier.Attic VentilationTemperature and moisture control are the major reasons for providing attic ventilation.Soffit VentRidge VentGable VentRoof Turbine

3. BackhoeA power driven excavating vehicle with a hinged bucket at the end of a long jointed arm. It digs drawing the bucket toward the power unit and is used for digging trenches for cable and pipe.Bucket width- 2ft.

4. Batter BoardsHorizontal boards used to mark out the boundary of a construction project and establish the levels and building line for the construction project.Brick ArchesRoman ArchJack ArchArch with Keystone

5. Brick BondsCommon Bond- a variation of the Running Bond Patterns with a course of full headers every sixth course.Flemish Bond- consists of alternate headers and stretchers with the headers centered over the stretchers in the intervening courses.

6. Brick BondsRowlocksSoldiersHeaders

7. Brick SizesRoman Brick3 ½”x 11 ½”x 1 ½”Utility Brick3 ½”x 11 ½”x 3 ½”

8. BulldozerA heavy driver operated machine for clearing and grading land with a broad hydraulic blade in front. CladdingBrickStoneEIFSWood Board

9. Code RequirementsThese stairs do meet code.Tread length- 10 ¼”Riser height- 7”

10. Concrete JointsConcrete joints are planned for cracks which allow for movement caused by temperature changes and drying shrinkage.Concrete Masonry UnitUsually the unit designation is abbreviated to CMU. The typical concrete masonry unit is a rectangular block manufactured of Portland cement and an aggregate, most often sand or filtered gravel. The most common concrete masonry unit is considered to be 8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches.4” thickness12” thickness

11. Decorative Concrete Masonry UnitSplit BlockRibbed Block

12. DoorsTop RailRailStileLock RailStileFlush DoorPanelBottom RailPanel Door

13. DoorsTransom- units hung above doors with either glass or wood panels to add more height or decorative elements to a homeSidelight- a window or opening in or at one or both sides of a door.

14. Electrical ComponentsTransformer-used to "transform" voltage from one level to another, usually from a higher voltage to a lower voltage.Service Head- opening by which the electric wires enter the building.Meter- receives the electricity supply from the service head and measures the consumption of power in your house.Service Panel- a component of an electricity supply system which divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit.Duplex Receptacle- the commonly used receptacle (outlet). Called "duplex" because it has two plug-in sockets.

15. Framing Elements2. Sill Plate3. Floor Joists1. Anchor Bolt4. Subflooring5. Sole Plate6. Stud

16. Framing Elements9. Rafter7. Top Plate8. Ceiling Joist10. Roof Decking12. Stringer11. Sheathing

17. Front End LoaderA heavy equipment machine primarily used to "load" materials such as asphalt, demolition debris, dirt, logs, rock, sand, woodchips, ect. into another type of machinery such as a dump truck, conveyor belt or railcarGypsum BoardA wide flat board used to cover walls or partitions; made from plaster or wood pulp or other materials and used primarily to form the interior walls of housesHeat PumpAdvantage:Relatively cheap up-front costDisadvantage:A heat pump system is prone to breaking downCompressor/Evaporator- the compressor compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas. This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid. The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas. This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building.Air Handling Unit- a device used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Air handlers usually connect to ductwork that distributes the conditioned air through the building and returns it to the Air Handling Unit

18. InsulationThe purpose of insulation is to keep a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Heat is a form of energy and always seeks a cooler area either flowing in or flowing out. By controlling heat flow properly, an insulated home uses less energy for heating and cooling.Batten/BlanketLoose FillFoamedRigid Board

19. LintelThe horizontal structure over a opening such as a door or window that directs the load horizontally to vertical supports.Angle Steel Lintel

20. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)OSB is manufactured in wide mats from cross oriented layers of thin rectangular wooden strips(95%) compressed and bonded together with a wax and resin adhesive(5%).PlumbingLavatory1 ½” Drain Pipe DiameterWater Closet3” Drain Pipe DiameterManufactured Shower and TubPlumbing Vent- allows air to enter the drainage system and provides a place for gases to escape.Drop-in Kitchen Sink

21. PlywoodA piece of wood made of 3 or more layers of wood veneer which is thin sheets of wood cut from a log that is laminated together with glue. The chief characteristic is the alternate cross layers (at least 3) distributing the longitude and wood strength that are firmly glued together with the grain direction of the middle layer at right angles to that of the parallel outer layers.RebarThe deformations on the surface of reinforcing bars are there to grip the bar into the concrete and prevent the bars from tearing away from the concrete.#4 Rebar

22. Steep Roof DrainageGutter- A channel that collects rainwater from the roof of a building and directs it away from a structure.Downspout- A vertical pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to ground level.Splash Block-A plastic or concrete surface put under a downspout to direct water away from a house and prevent erosion.

23. Steep Roof MaterialsUnderlayment- Roof underlayment adds an extra measure of protection against extreme weather, condensation and excessive temperatures. Metal Panel RoofShingle- a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements that prevent water infiltration.Clay Tile RoofWood Shingle Roof

24. Steep Roof ShapesGable RoofGambrel Roof

25. Steep Roof TermsRidge- The uppermost horizontal framing member on a roof to which the tops of the rafters are fixed.Eave-The part of the roof which extends beyond the exterior sidewall and are made up of both the soffit and the fascia.Valley- The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form a reentrant angle.Rake- The angle of the slope of the roof rafter.

26. Steep Roof TermsFascia- Exterior horizontal visible flat front trim boards that caps the rafter tail ends creating the edge of the roof.Soffit-Horizontal member that fills the gap between the exterior wall and the fascia. It is the underside of the roof overhang or porch ceiling that covers the rafter bottoms and usually has vents to allow air into the attic.

27. StoneRandom RubbleCoursed RubbleRandom AshlarCoursed Ashlar

28. Vapor RetarderIt prevents moisture migration and condensation within it assembly and is installed on the warm or lived in side of the insulation. The brown paper

29. Weep HoleA hole in a wall or foundation that is designed to drain off accumulated water.