B
Backfill
Earth or other material replaced in the space around a building wall that was removed during construction.
Beam
The principal horizontal wood or steel members of a building (also called girders).
C
Cantilever
A projecting beam or joist supported only at one end, used to support an extension of a structure.
Corner Bead
A strip of galvanized iron for protecting the corners of plastered walls.
D
Dormer
A projecting frame or minor gable in a pitched roof.
Drip Edge
L-shaped weather-resistant metal that is installed at exposed roof edges (eaves) to protect the roof's wooden parts from water damage.
F
Fascia
A decorative flat board or band used to cover joints between the wall and the eaves.
Felt Paper
A building paper infused with asphalt, used on exterior walls and roofs to insulate against heat, cold, and moisture.
Fill Insulation
Loose, granulated material which is applied by hand or blown into wall spaces mechanically to reduce the transfer of heat.
Flashing
Non-corrosive metal used for waterproofing around angles or junctions in roofs and exterior walls.
Footing
An enlarged concrete base on which a foundation or column sits.
Foundation
The lower support or base, typically below ground level, on which the structure is built.
G
Gable
The triangular part of the end of a structure, from cornice or eaves to ridge.
Grade
The level of the ground around a building.
H
Headers
A horizontal beam or over a door or window that provides support for the opening; a beam used to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters.
Hip
The external intersection of two slopes of a roof.
L
Ledger
A horizontal piece of wood attached to a beam to support joists.
M
Moisture Barrier
Material used to keep dampness from passing into walls or floors—usually treated paper or plastic.
Mullion
The thin framing that divides the lights in a window or panes in a door.
P
Pitch
The angle or slope of a roof.
R
Rafter
One of a series of structural roof members used to support roof loads.
Reinforced Concrete
Concrete fortified with wire or metal bars.
Riser
The vertical piece of a stair step, running from tread to tread.
S
Slab
A thick, often reinforced, concrete floor laid in a single, unjointed piece on the interior of surrounding foundation walls (monolithic slabs join the pouring of foundation walls and floor into one pour).
Soffit
The visible underside of structural member of a building, including staircases, cornices, overhangs, or eaves.
Stringer
A long, horizontal member that connects uprights in a frame or supports a floor. Also one of the enclosed sides of a run of stairs supporting the treads and risers.
Studs
Vertical members—usually two-by-fours or two-by-sixes—to which horizontal pieces (plates) are nailed to frame walls.
T
Truss
A grouping of structural members, typically triangular, to form a rigid framework to span between load-bearing walls for supporting a roof.
W
Wall Sheathing
The first layer of exterior wall covering, usually sheets of plywood, gypsum board, or other material, nailed to the outside face of studs as a base for exterior siding.