Glossary
Includes terminology found in your home inspection report as well as common home- and construction-related definitions.
2X4 construction Exterior walls are approximately four inches deep.
2x6 construction Exterior walls are approximately six inches deep.
16 on center (16 O.C.) Width between wall studs means the studs are 16 inches from the center of one stud to the center of another stud.
aluminum clad Found on some wood windows, the exterior is sheathed with aluminum.
ampere (AMP) A unit measure of electricity.
anchor bolts Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete or masonry floor or wall.
asbestos A naturally occurring mineral fiber sometimes found in heating systems, floor coverings, ceiling finishes and other materials used in older homes. It is hazardous to health when a possibility exists of exposure to inhalable fibers. Homeowners should be alert for friable asbestos and always seek professional advice in dealing with it.
asphalt Most native asphalt is a residue from evaporated petroleum. It is insoluble in water but soluble in gasoline and melts when heated. Used widely in building for waterproofing roof coverings of many types, exterior wall coverings, flooring tile, and the like.
awning window A window with hinges at the top allowing it to open out and up.
backfill Dirt used to fill in around the foundation after the foundation walls are poured or constructed.
balusters Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail.
baseboard Usually wood or vinyl installed around the perimeter of a room to cover the space where the wall and floor meet.
Baseboard heat A heating system with the heating unit located along the perimeter of the wall where the baseboard would be. It can be either an electric or hot water system.
beam A structural member transversely supporting a load.
bearing partition A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bearing wall A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
brick veneer A facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a frame wall or tile wall construction.
building code Minimum local or state regulations established to protect public health and safety. They apply to building design, construction, rehabilitation, repair, materials, occupancy and use.
built-up roof A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal, tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs.
buckling The bending of a building material as a result of wear and tear, weight, or contact with a substance such as water.
casement windows A side hinged window that opens on hinges secured to the side of the window frame.
casing Molding of various widths and thickness used to trim door and window openings at the jambs.
caulking Material used to fill joints that may exist between floors and fixtures; around windows and doors, shower stalls and bathtubs, etc.
circuit breaker The safety valves for electrical systems. It interrupts an electric circuit when an unusual condition arises such as lightning and malfunctioning appliances. Unlike a fuse, it can be reset.
class B door A fire resistant rating applied by the Underwriters Laboratories Classification for a door having a 1 to 1 ½ hour burn rating.
code compliance inspection see Truth In Sale inspection
collar beams Used in a traditional rafter system for a roof. Collar beams tie together the rafters and stiffen the roof structure.
column In engineering, a vertical structural compression member which supports loads acting in the direction of its longitudinal axis.
counter flashing A flashing usually used on chimneys or walls at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and to prevent moisture entry.
cove moldings A molding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners.
CPVC A type of plastic water piping.
crawl space A shallow space below the living quarters of a house without a basement; normally enclosed by the foundation wall.
cutoff valves Valves used to shut water off, generally located under sinks or behind bathtub and shower access panels. They cutoff hot and/or cold water at the source without cutting off water throughout the entire house.
damper An air valve that regulates the flow of air inside the flue of a furnace or fireplace.
disposal A device that grinds food sufficiently to enter drains for disposal without clogging.
dormer An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.
double-hung window A window with sashes that slide vertically and allow opening from the top and bottom.
dovetail joints Locking in a zigzag pattern, this joint resembles the feathers of a dove. It’s stronger than other joint options for cabinets.
down spout Pipes which empty water from the gutters to the ground.
drywall (gyp board, sheetrock) A sheet of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Used to cover studs and create walls and ceilings.
ductwork A system of distribution channels used to transmit heated or cooled air from a central system (HVAC) throughout a home.
eaves The section of the roof that overhangs the walls of a house.
electric panel A metal box that contains circuit breakers or fuses that control the electrical current in the home.
environmental inspections Separate inspections performed to check for the presence of toxic substances, such as lead in paint or water, asbestos, radon, or pests.
excavation Removal of dirt and trees at a home site in preparation for the foundation.
exhaust fan Extracts air from the interior of a home.
facia or fascia A flat board, band, or face, used sometimes by itself but usually in combination with moldings, often located at the outer face of the cornice.
fill dirt Soil used to back-fill foundations.
fire-resistive In the absence of a specific ruling by the authority having jurisdiction, applies to materials for construction which are not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and that will withstand such fires without serious impairment of their usefulness for at least 1 hour.
flashing Sheet metal or other material used at wall and roof junction seams, under shingles, around chimneys, skylights, vents, windows and doors to prevent water infiltration.
floating walls In the basement, these walls are engineered to allow movement in the basement floor without damage to the walls.
flue The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage is called a flue, which together with any others and the surrounding masonry make up the chimney.
Flue lining Fired clay or terra-cotta pipe, round or square, usually made in all ordinary flue sizes and in 2-foot lengths, used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work around the outside. Flue lining in chimneys runs from about a foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney.
footing Structural element, typically concrete but sometimes wood, in a rectangular form wider than the bottom of the foundation wall or pier it supports.
forced-air furnace A unit that transfers heat from fuel and circulates heat throughout the ducts of a house.
foundation The supporting portion of a structure below the first-floor construction, or below grade, including the footings.
frieze board A horizontal exterior trim member positioned between the siding of a structure and its soffit.
frost line The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement.
fuse box A metal box that contains the fuses that regulate electric current in a house.
gable In house construction, the portion of the roof above the eave line of a double-sloped roof.
Gable end An end wall having a gable.
girder A large or principal beam of wood or steel used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length.
ground-fault interrupter (GFI) A safety device that interrupts electricity in appliances and other electrical components found in a home.
Girder Cross beam that supports the floor joists.
green A product that is environmentally-friendly.
grout Mortar made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will just flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry or tile work and fill them solid.
gutter/downspout A shallow channel of metal or wood set below and along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater from the roof, and away from the foundation.
header A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for chimney, stairway, or other openings.
hearth The fireproof inner or outer floor of a fireplace, usually made of brick, tile or stone.
heat exchanger The device used to transfer heat in a furnace or boiler. Typically not fully visible.
Heat pump A reverse cycle refrigeration unit that both heats and cools.
hip The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.
Hip roof A roof that rises by included planes from all four sides of a building.
home warranty A purchased service contract that warrants the good working order of a home’s major mechanical systems and/or major appliances for a set period of time. For instance, appliances might be covered for one year while the roof may be covered for several years. Check with a Realtor® or the yellow pages under Home Warranties.
hot water heating system This system heats water and circulates it through a system of pipes.
humidifier A device designed to increase the humidity of a room or house by means of the discharge of water vapor. It may be an individual room-size unit or a large unit attached to the heating plant to condition the entire house.
HVAC Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system.
insulation Material used to resist the loss of heat energy. Materials such as fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose and foam are placed in the walls, ceilings, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation may be blown or installed in batt sections.
joists One of a series of parallel beams, usually 2 inches in thickness, used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls.
landing A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs.
landscaping The trees, flowers, plantings, lawn, and shrubbery that surround the exterior of a dwelling.
lath A building material of wood, metal, gypsum or insulation board that is fastened to the frame of a building to act as a plaster base.
lathing Strips of wood or other material used as a base for the installation of plaster.
lead A material used in pipes and paint of many older homes. We now know that lead is hazardous to health. Consult the local health department for guidelines on handling, removal and applicable laws.
Load-bearing wall Structural element of the home which is carrying a substantial weight. Without it, the home would collapse.
masonry Construction using materials such as tile, brick, cement, stone, concrete block, or other similar materials that is bonded together with mortar to form a wall or similar mass.
mechanics lien Encumbrance placed against a property to satisfy any unpaid invoices to a sub-contractor or supplier.
metal lath Sheets of metal that are slit and drawn out to form openings. Used as a plaster base for walls and ceilings and as reinforcing over other forms of plaster base.
member Wood or steel elements that make up the framing and foundation of a structure such as 2 X 4 strips of lumber cut to various lengths.
millwork Generally all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants. It includes doors, doorframes, windows, porch work, mantels, panel work, stairways, moldings, and interior trim. It normally doesn’t include flooring, ceiling or siding.
molding Strips of wood or other material used to cover joints between floors and walls, and walls and ceilings for decorative purposes.
mortar A bonding material used in the construction of brick or stone structures.
negative slope driveway Driveway that drops in elevation from the street to the garage.
newel A post to which the end of a stair railing or balustrade is fastened. Also, any post to which a railing or balustrade is fastened.
nonbearing wall A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.
O.C. (on center) The measurement of spacing for studs, rafters, joists, and the like in a building from the center of one member to the center of the next.
paper, building A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses.
parapet wall A low wall or railing along the edge of a roof, balcony, bridge or terrace constructed for protection, to control water resulting from rain or artificial flooding or to insulate against the sun’s rays.
partition A wall that subdivides spaces within any story of a building.
parquet floors A floor that is laid in rectangular or square patterns often made of prefinished wood or wood veneer squares.
percolation (perc) test Test to check the feasibility of a site for a septic system.
personal property Moveable property, such as appliances, furniture, clothing, artwork, boxes, etc.
pier A column of masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross section, used to support other structural members.
pitch Expression of how steep the roof is. The first number is feet of rise and the second number is feet or run (horizontal), such as 2/12, 4/12, 6/12, etc.
plate Sill plate: a horizontal member anchored to a masonry wall. Sole plate: bottom horizontal member of a frame wall. Top plate: top horizontal member of a frame wall supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other members.
plumb Exactly perpendicular; vertical.
polybutelene Water piping used for interior piping and the main waterline to the street. Problems with this pipe have curtailed its use in recent years.
primer Paint undercoat used to prepare siding for top coat.
private inspection A visual inspection performed by a specially-trained inspector to provide a comprehensive report on the observable condition of a house. This report is usually written.
R-value A measurement of the ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat or cold. The higher the Rvalue, the greater the insulation power.
radiant heating A method of heating, usually consisting of a forced hot water system with pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling; or with electrically heating panels.
radon A colorless, odorless gas that is emitted from soils, rocks and water as a result of radioactive decay in certain areas of the country. Known to cause some types of cancers, radon can be tested for and evaluated at any time. See the yellow pages under Radon Detection or Environmental Testing, or contact the local health department.
rafter One of a series of structural members of a roof designed to support roof loads. The rafters of a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists.
Rafter, Hip A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle.
Rafter valley A rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle.
registers Help to regulate the flow of air.
reinforcing Steel rods or metal fabric placed in concrete slabs, beams, or columns to increase their strength.
retaining wall A vertical structure used to restrict the movement of soil or water.
ridge The horizontal line at the junction of the top edges of two sloping roof surfaces.
Ridge board The board placed on edge at the ridge of the roof into which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened.
rise In stairs, the vertical heights of a step or flight of stairs.
roll roofing Roofing material, composed of fiber and saturated with asphalt, that is supplied in 36-inched wide rolls with 108 square feet of material.
roof sheathing The boards or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid.
rough-in Installation of various mechanical systems such as plumbing, electrical, heating, etc.
run In stairs, the net width of a step or the horizontal distance covered by a flight of stairs.
sash Framework that holds the glass in a window or a door.
Sash balance A device, usually operated by a spring or tensioned weather-stripping designed to counterbalance double-hung window sash
septic system Waste removal process utilizing micro-organisms to break down wastes.
setback The minimum distance between lot line and the location of buildings.
settling The lowering of the home, earth or pavement due to weight or shrinkage.
shake A thick handsplit shingle, resawed to form two shakes.
sheathing The structural covering, usually wood boards or plywood, used over studs or rafters of a structure. Structural building board is normally used only as wall sheathing.
shingles Roof covering of asphalt, asbestos, wood, tile, slate, or other material cut to stock lengths, widths, and thickness.
siding The finish covering of the outside wall of a frame building, whether made of horizontal weatherboards, vertical boards with battens, shingles, or other material.
sill The lowest member of the frame of a structure, resting on the foundation and supporting the floor joists or the uprights of the wall. The member forming the lower side of an opening, as a door sill, window sill, etc.
slab on grade foundation Foundation that is a concrete slab over dirt with no basement or crawl space.
sleeper A horizontal, loose support for supporting a walking surface.
soffit The underside of an overhanging cornice, often on the roof.
soil stack A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping.
Soil test Test to determine subsoil conditions that impact on the foundation’s design.
solar heat Heat created from the gathering of solar energy from the sun. It can be passive or active. A passive system takes advantage of winter sunlight through windows on the south side of a home. An active system heats through the collection of solar energy through solar collectors.
span The distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses.
square A unit of measure-100 square feet-usually applied to a roofing material. Sidewall coverings are sometimes packed to cover 100 square feet and sold on that basis.
storm sash or storm windows An extra window usually placed on the outside of an existing one as additional protection against cold weather.
story That part of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above.
string, stringer A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest; also stringboard.
stucco Exterior finish of a home made from wet plaster, concrete or other newer systems.
studs A series of slender wood or metal vertical structural members placed as supporting elements in walls and partitions.
subfloor Boards or plywood laid on joists over which a finish floor is to be laid.
suspended ceiling A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing.
sump pump An electric pump, usually installed in the basement to prevent water from entering the basement area. It empties water from a “well or pit” where it is collected and pumps it to the outside of a home.
thermostat Helps to control temperatures within the home. Thermostats automatically turn heating or air conditioning on or off as necessary to maintain a desired temperature.
threshold A strip of metal, wood, marble or other material with beveled edges used over the finish floor and the sill of exterior doors.
tread The horizontal board in a stairway on which the foot is placed.
trim The finish materials in a building, such as moldings, applied around openings (windows trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice, and other moldings).
truss A frame or jointed structure designed to act as a beam of long span, while each member is usually subjected to longitudinal stress only, either tension or compression. Often prefabricated for flooring and roofing.
tuckpointing a.k.a. pointing up The removal of deteriorated mortar between bricks and replacement with new mortar.
under layment A material placed under finish coverings, such as flooring, or shingles, to provide a smooth, even surface for applying the finish.
urea formaldehyde foam insulation A type of foamedin-place insulation that releases formaldehyde gas. It was banned by the Consumer Public Safety Commission in 1982 from use in residences and schools. Holding that the risks had not been proven, a Federal Court lifted the ban in 1983. The local consumer and/or environmental protection agency should be consulted for additional information on this type of insulation.
Valley The internal angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof.
vapor barrier Material used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation in them. Usually considered as having a perm value of less than 1.0. Applied separately over the warm side of exposed walls or as part of batt or blanket insulation.
vermiculite A mineral closely related to mica, with the faculty of expanding on heating to form lightweight material with insulation quality. Used as bulk insulation and also as aggregate in insulating and acoustical plaster and in insulating concrete floor. May contain asbestos.
vinyl clad windows Wood windows that have a vinyl sheathed exterior.
walk out basement On houses on sloping lots, basements can sometimes be built with a door to walk-out on ground level.
warranty See home warranty.
weather-stripping Various materials used to reduce the escape of heat or air conditioning from a home. It is usually narrow or jamb-width sections of thin metal installed around windows and doors.
window-well The open subsurface space that provides light through a basement window.
zone system A system that controls different temperatures in various parts of a structure.