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C | Construction TermsThe glossary below contains construction terms commonly used by architects and contractors. Simply click on any letter below for a detailed list of construction terms and definitions.COAn abbreviation for "Certificate of Occupancy". This certificate is issued by the local municipality and is required before anyone can occupy and live within the home. It is issued only after the local municipality has made all inspections and all monies CantileverAn overhang. Where one floor extends beyond and over a foundation wall. For example at a fireplace location or bay window cantilever. Normally, not extending over 2 feet. CapThe upper member of a column, pilaster, door cornice, molding, or fireplace. Cap FlashingThe portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing. Casement Frames of wood or metal enclosing part (or all) of a window sash. May beopened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges. CaissonA 10" or 12" diameter hole drilled into the earth and embedded into bedrock 3 - 4 feet. The structural support for a type of foundation wall, porch, patio, monopost, or other structure. Two or more "sticks" of reinforcing bars (rebar) are inserted into and run the full length of the hole and concrete is poured into the caisson hole. Casement WindowA window with hinges on one of the vertical sides and swings open like a normal door. CasingWood trim molding installed around a door or window opening. Caulking(1) A flexible material used to seal a gap between two surfaces e.g. between pieces of siding or the corners in tub walls. (2) To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt plastic cement to prevent leaks. CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) A pesticide that is forced into wood under high pressure to protect it from termites, other wood boring insects, and decay caused by fungus. Celotex(TM) Black fibrous board that is used as exterior sheething. Ceiling JoistOne of a series of parallel framing members used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams, girders or bearing walls. Also called roof joists. CementThe gray powder that is the "glue" in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive. Ceramic TileA man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or wall. Generally used in bathtub and shower enclosures and on counter tops. CFM(Cubic Feet per Minute) A rating that expresses the amount of air a blower or fan can move. The volume of air (measured in cubic feet) that can pass through an opening in one minute. Chair Rail Interior trim material installed about 3-4 feet up the wall, horizontally. Chalk LineA line made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes. ChaseA framed enclosed space around a flue pipe or a channel in a wall, or through a ceiling for something to lie in or pass through. ChinkTo install fiberglass insulation around all exterior door and window frames, wall corners, and small gaps in the exterior wall. Chip BoardA manufactured wood panel made out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing. Also called OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or wafer board. CircuitThe path of electrical flow from a power source through an outlet and back to ground. Circuit BreakerA device which looks like a switch and is usually located inside the electrical breaker panel or circuit breaker box. It is designed to (1) shut of the power to portions or all of the house and (2) to limit the amount of power flowing through a circuit (m Class "A" Optimum fire rating issued by Underwriter's Laboratories on roofing. The building codes in some areas require this type of roofing for fire safety. Class "C" Minimum fire rating issued by the Underwriters' Laboratories for roofing materials. Clean OutAn opening providing access to a drain line. Closed with a threaded plug. Clip TiesSharp, cut metal wires that protrude out of a concrete foundation wall (that at one time held the foundation form panels in place). Cold Air ReturnThe ductwork (and related grills) that carries room air back to the furnace for re-heating. CollarPreformed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roofing above the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve. Collar BeamNominal 1- or 2-inch-thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. They serve to stiffen the roof structure. ColumnA vertical structural compression member which supports loads. Combustion ChamberThe part of a boiler, furnace or woodstove where the burn occurs. Normally lined with firebrick or molded or sprayed insulation. CompressorA mechanical device that pressurizes a gas in order to turn it into a liquid, thereby allowing heat to be removed or added. A compressor is the main component of conventional heat pumps and air conditioners. In an air conditioning system, the compressor normally sits outside and has a large fan (to remove heat). ConcreteThe mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel, and water. Used to make garage and basement floors, sidewalks, patios, foundation walls, etc. It is commonly reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh). Concrete BlockA hollow concrete 'brick' often 8" x 8" x 16" in size. Concrete BoardA panel made out of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a tile backing material. Condensate LineThe copper pipe that runs from the outside air conditioning condenser to the inside furnace ( where the a/c coil is located). CondensationBeads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior covering of a building. Use of louvers or attic ventilators will reduce moisture condensation in attics. A vapor barrier under the gypsum. Condensing UnitThe outdoor component of a cooling system. It includes a compressor and condensing coil designed to give off heat. Conditions, Convenants, and RestrictionsThe standards that define how a property may be used and the protections the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision. ConductionThe direct transfer of heat energy through a material. ConductivityThe rate at which heat is transmitted through a material. Conduit Electrical A pipe, usually metal, in which wire is installed. Construction DrywallA type of construction in which the interior wall finish is applied in a dry condition, generally in the form of sheet materials or wood paneling as contrasted to plaster. Construction, Frame A type of construction in which the structural components are wood or depend upon a wood frame for support. Continuity TesterA device that tells whether a circuit is capable of carrying electricity. Control JointTooled, straight grooves made on concrete floors to "control" where the concrete should crack. ConvectionCurrents created by heating air, which then rises and pulls cooler air behind it. Also see radiation. Conventional LoanA mortgage loan not insured by a government agency (such as FHA or VA). ConvertibilityThe ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate schedule to a fixed rate schedule. Cooling LoadThe amount of cooling required to keep a building at a specified temperature during the summer, usually 78° F, regardless of outside temperature. CopedRemoving the top and bottom flange of the end(s) of a metal I-beam. This is done to permit it to fit within, and bolted to, the web of another I-beam in a "T" arrangement. Coped JointCutting and fitting woodwork to an irregular surface. CorbelThe triangular, decorative and supporting member that holds a mantel or horizontal shelf. Corner BeadA strip of formed sheet metal placed on outside corners of drywall before applying drywall 'mud'. Corner BoardsUsed as trim for the external corners of a house or other frame structure against which the ends of the siding are finished. Corner BracesDiagonal braces at the corners of the framed structure designed to stiffen and strengthen the wall. CorniceOverhang of a pitched roof , usually consisting of a fascia board, a soffit and appropriate trim moldings. Counter FlashingA metal flashing usually used on chimneys at the roofline to cover shingle flashing and used to prevent moisture entry. CounterfortA foundation wall section that strengthens (and generally perpendicular to) a long section of foundation wall. CourseA row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof. Parallel layers of building materials such as bricks, or siding laid up horizontally. Cove MouldingA moulding with a concave face used as trim or to finish interior corners. Crawl SpaceA shallow space below the living quarters of a house, normally enclosed by the foundation wall and having a dirt floor. Credit RatingA report ordered by a lender from a credit agency to determine a borrower's credit habits. CricketA second roof built on top of the primary roof to increase the slope of the roof or valley. A saddle-shaped, peaked construction connecting a sloping roof with a chimney. Designed to encourage water drainage away from the chimney joint. CrippleVertical "2 by 4's or 6's", frame lumber installed as bracing. Cross BridgingDiagonal bracing between adjacent floor joists, placed near the center of the joist span to prevent joists from twisting. Cross TeeShort metal "T" beam used in suspended ceiling systems to bridge the spaces between the main beams. Crown MouldingA moulding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered, especially at the roof and wall corner. CulvertRound, corrugated drain pipe (normally 15" or 18" in diameter) that is installed beneath a driveway and parallel to and near the street. CuppingA type of warping that causes boards to curl up at their edges. CurbThe short elevation of an exterior wall above the deck of a roof. Normally a 2 by 6 box (on the roof) on which a skylight is attached. Curb StopNormally a cast iron pipe with a lid (@ 5" in diameter) that is placed vertically into the ground, situated near the water tap in the yard, and where a water cut-off valve to the home is located (underground). A long pole with a special end is inserted into the curb stop to turn off/on the water. Cut-In Brace Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2 by 4's, cut in between each stud diagonally. |
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