Construction Terms
Ash Dump
A door or opening in the firebox that leads directly to the ash pit, through which the ashes are swept after the fire is burned out. All fireboxes are not equipped with an ash dump.
Attic Space
The open space within the attic area. Learn more about attics.
Backfill
The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement / crawlspace foundation wall or pipe trench.
Baluster
One of a series of vertical members in a railing used between a top rail or the stair treads,also aroung the outer edge of a deck. Sometimes they are referred to as pickets or spindles. The spacing between the balusters should be less than four inches to prevent small children from getting stuck between the balusters. Balusters are considered a safety item and provide an additional barrier.
Baseboard Trim
Typically a wood trim board that is placed against the wall around the perimeter of a room next to floor. The intent is to conceal the joint between the floor and wall finish.
Base Shoe
A molding used next to the floor on interior baseboards.
Bat
A half brick.
Basement Window
A window opening installed in the basement wall. Basement windows are occasionally below the finish grade level and will be surrounded on the exterior by a window well. Learn more about basements.
Bay Window
A window placed in a projection of an exterior wall of a building is called a bay window when the wall projection extends all the way down to a corresponding projection of the foundation. In plan view, the wall projection may be rectangular, polygonal or segmental (curved).
Bearing Partition
A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight also known as a bearing wall.
Bifold Door
Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors, often used for closet doors.
Bipass Doors
Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet doors.
Blinds or Shutters
A light weight frame in the form of a door located on each side of a window made of wood or plastic (solid or louvered. Most shutters are decorative pieces.
Bearing Partition
A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight also known as a bearing wall.
Breaker Panel
The electrical box that distributes electric power entering the home to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and composed of circuit breakers.
Brick Lintel
The metal angle iron that bricks rests on, especially above a window, door, or other opening.
Brick Tie
A small, corrugated metal strip 1″ X 6″–8″ long nailed to wall sheeting or studs. They are inserted into the grout mortar joint of the veneer brick, and holds the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.
Brick Veneer
A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or concrete block wall construction.
Building Paper
A general term for papers, felts and similar sheet materials used as a protective barrier against air and moisture passage from the area beneath the flooring as well as providing a movement/noise isolator in hardwood flooring. It is also used to wrap the house and act as an insulating factor.
Ceiling Joist
One of a series of parallel framing members used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams providing a platform to which the finished ceiling material can be attached.
Chair Rail
Decorative trim applied around the perimeter same height as the back of a chair. It is sometimes used as a cap trim for wainscoting (see wainscoting).
Chimney Flues
The space or channel in a chimney that carries off the smoke and other combustion gasses to the outside air. Most homes will have a tarracotta flue or a metal flue. Learn more about chimneys.
Collar
A preformed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roofing above the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.