Skip to main content
  • Glossary


Glossary


ADSLAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (a.k.a. a darn swift line)
Backingmaterial for support between studs to provide a secure mounting surface.
Beamshorizontal support members.
Blockingthe material which is used to provide additional support particularly where adjustments are made such as in a threshold location.
Bulkheadmaterial used to reserve an area such as space for a lowered threshold in formwork.
CHBACanadian Home Builders’ Association.
Double Platethe doubling of the top or bottom plate. The bottom plate is doubled for skim coat type construction. The top plate is doubled when the wall is load bearing.
Formsthe mould or frame which provides necessary shape especially for foundations.
Form Tiesfastening devices placed in forms to ensure the concrete does not distend the form. These ties are removed at the same time as the forms.
Framinga type of construction also referred to as post and beam.
GFI Ground Fault Interruptrequired electrical receptacle for outdoor and bathroom installation, assists greatly in reducing the opportunity for a shocking experience.
Guardsthose portions of a stairway which are pinned onto the wall faces.
Handrailsthose railings which must be 1″ inches from, and firmly mounted to, the wall.
Headersee header joist.
Header Joista vertical joist which the common joists are framed, around or above an opening. This usually consists of two or more boards being nailed together.
Infrareda control method employing infrared light.
ISDNIntegrated Services Digital Network.
Joistshorizontally placed parallel beams to which boards of a floor or laths of a ceiling are fastened. (See also header joist, rim joist, and tail joist)
Lintela horizontal member which rests exclusively upon wall (or jack) studs. The wall studs must have full-length studs doubled with them extending from the bottom to top wall plates.
Low Voltage Networkall pre-wiring of paired cabling which may be used for any number things. Rendezvous back at Node Zero.
Node Zerothe place where all important electrical, cables, telephone wires, and low voltage networks come together.
Nosingthat portion of the tread on a staircase which protrudes past the join of the riser and the tread.
Platethat member at either the top of bottom of a wall to which the vertical members are attached.
Pour Holean access hole in a bulkhead through which concrete is delivered. This hole helps eliminate air pockets and ensures a proper and complete pour.
Pour Strips1×1 strips of wood inside a form and used to provide an easy reference for the height the concrete must be poured to.
Radio Frequencya method of remote control which uses frequencies in the radio bands.
RESNARehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America this organization promotes the adoption of Universal Design through a Special Interest Group (SIG: 19).
Ribbon Boardsboards laid upon a foundation wall to keep the horizontal beams from making contact with the concrete.
Rim Joista timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair tread rests. (Also known as stringer joist)
Risein a staircase, the vertical distance between the tops of successive treads.
Riserin a staircase, that piece rising vertically between treads of a step unit.
Runin a staircase, the horizontal distance from riser to riser or nosing to nosing of successive treads.
Saddleanother term for the actual threshold plate often seen in commercial buildings.
Shimany material used to wedge or level two objects.
Silla horizontal, lower member of a door or window casing.
Skim Coata lightweight, concrete material poured on a sub-floor for soundproofing.
Slab On Gradea construction method using a floating slab surrounded by poured foundation walls.
Slopeusually described as 1 in 12; or 1 in 50. This represents the amount of rise over the amount of run and is used in calculating the angle of slope.
Soleanother term for the bottom plate in a wall whether load bearing or not.
Specshort for speculation or building without a specific buyer in mind.
Stringera timber, generally horizontal, supporting other members of a structure.
Sub-Floora second floor required beneath the finish flooring where that finish flooring does not have adequate strength to support the design loads.
Tail Joista relatively short joist supported by a wall at one end and by a header at the other.
Thresholda plank, timber, member, or stone lying under any exterior entry to a building.
Top Platetwo 2x4s or 2x6s, one on top of the other creating the top of the wall.
Treadin a staircase, that piece running horizontally between risers of a step unit.
Trimmer Joista beam or joist to which a header is nailed during framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening.
Ultra-Sonica system of control relying upon high frequency signals.
Universal Designthe principles which promote thoughtful planning and design at all stages of any design project.
Waste Pipethe pipe and trap allowing drainage of a sink, tub, or shower.
X-10a power-line based carrier system for controlling electrical devices.