GLOSSARY
June 6, 2026
A
Air return
A series of ducts in air conditioning system to return used air to air handler to be reconditioned.
Anchor Bolts (also called J-bolts)
Bolts embedded in concrete foundation used to hold sills in place.
Anchor Straps
Straps embedded in concrete foundation used to hold sills in place, most commonly MASAs in our houses.
Apron
B
Back Fill
The replacement of dirt in holes, trenches and around foundations.
Backing (aka blocking)
A non-structural (usually 2x) framed support (i.e. for drywall).
Balloon Framing
A special situationally required type of construction with studs that are longer than the standard length.
Bay
The space between two parallel framing members (i.e. trusses).
Beam
A horizontal structural member running between posts, columns or walls.
Bearing wall (aka partition)
A wall which carries a vertical structural load in addition to its own weight.
Bevel
To cut an angle other than a right angle, such as on the edge of a board.
Bird block (aka frieze board)
An attic vent located between truss tails.
Bird’s Mouth
A notch cut in the underside of a rafter to fit the top plate.
Blocking (aka backing)
A non-structural 2x framing support (i.e. for drywall).
Board
Lumber less than 2” thick.
Board Foot
The equivalent of a board 1’ square and 1” thick.
Box Header
A horizontal structural member over an opening having a rectangular cross section with a hole in the middle, which we fill with insulation.
Building Code
A collection of rules and regulations for construction established by organizations based on experience and experiment, and enacted and enforced by local municipalities.
C
California corner
A framing member used at the intersection of two walls, consisting of three studs nailed together to form a U-shaped cross section.
Camber
The slight arch in a beam or truss which prevents it from bending into a downward shape under normal load.
Cantilevered
Extending horizontally beyond support.
Cant Strip
A triangular shaped strip used under the edges of roofing by walls on flat roofs.
Cased Opening
An interior opening without a door that is finished with jamb and trim.
Caulking
A flexible material used to seal a gap in a joint.
Ceiling joist
One of a series of parallel framing members (not part of a truss) used to support ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams or bearing walls.
Cement
1. The gray powder that is the “glue” in concrete.
2. An adhesive.
Chalk line
1. A cord dusted with chalk.
2. A line made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk.
Chase
A framed enclosed space or channel in a wall, or through a ceiling for something (usually duct work or plumbing) to pass through.
Circuit Breaker
A device which looks like a switch and is located inside the electrical panel. It
is designed to:
1. Shut off the power to portions or all of the house.
2. To limit the amount of power flowing through a circuit (measured in amperes).
Clean out
A capped opening providing access to a drain line, used to clear blockages.
Column
A vertical structural compression member which supports loads.
Compressor
1. A piece of equipment that provides compressed air to air powered tools.
2. A 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.
Condenser
The part of an air conditioning system containing the compressor and a large fan that sits outside and is responsible for transferring heat to/from the heat transfer medium (Freon).
Concrete
A mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water.
Control joint
Tooled, straight grooves made in concrete flatwork to “control” where the concrete should crack.
Corner bead
A strip of formed sheet metal or plastic placed on outside corners of drywall before applying drywall ‘mud’. Can be either square or bull nose (round).
Counter flashing (aka “Z” flashing)
A galvanized sheet metal flashing used at the roofline to cover shingle flashing (“L” flashing) and used to prevent moisture entry.
Course
1. A row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof.
2. A row of block or brick.
Cricket
A second roof built on top of the primary roof to increase the slope of the roof, designed to encourage water drainage to a scupper on a flat roof.
Cripple
Short vertical framing member installed above or below an opening.
D
Deadbolt
A tongued throw lock whose bolt must be manually pulled back before the door can open and close.
Deck, decked
To install the plywood or OSB sheeting on the floor joists, rafters, or trusses.
Delamination
Separation of the plies in a panel due to failure of the adhesive, usually caused by excessive moisture.
Diaphragm
In structural engineering, a diaphragm is a structural element that transmits lateral load to the vertical resisting elements of a structure (such as shear walls or frames) Diaphragms are typically horizontal, but can be sloped such as in a gable roof.
Disconnect
A large electrical ON-OFF switch found at the water heater and AC condenser.
Doorjamb
It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a horizontal head jamb. For a hinged door these 3 jambs have the “door stop molding” installed on them.
Double hung window
A window with two vertically sliding sashes, both of which can move up and down.
Drip System
An automated low water usage plant watering system.
Dry in
To install the roofing underlayment (tar paper or feltex) on the roof and stucco paper on the walls in preparation for sheet rocking the house.
Drywall (aka Gypsum Wallboard [GWB] & Sheet rock)
A manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually 1/2″ thick and 4′ x 8′ or 4′ x 12′ in size. The panels are nailed or screwed onto the framing and the joints are taped and covered with a ‘joint compound’. ‘Non-paper board’ type drywall has a greater resistance to moisture and mildew than regular (white) plasterboard and is used in bathrooms and other “wet areas”. Soffit board is even more moisture resistant for use on exterior ceilings, and type X board (5/8”) is fire rated for use in separating livable spaces from fire hazard areas (i.e. the garage).
Ducts
The air conditioning system. Usually round or rectangular metal or flexible pipes installed for distributing warm or cold air from the air handler to rooms in the home.
DWV (drain-waste-vent)
The section of a plumbing system that carries water and sewer gases out of a home.
E
Easement
A formal contract which allows a party to use another party’s property for a specific purpose. e.g. a Public Utility Easement (PUE) allows communication cables to run across a property.
Eaves
The horizontal exterior roof overhang at the bearing wall.
Egress
A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom. Normally a 4′ X 4′ sliding window or a 3’ X 5’ single (or double) hung window with a sill no higher than 44” above the floor is the minimum required by code.
Elbow (ell)
A plumbing or electrical fitting (usually 45 or 90 degrees) that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit.
Electrical Panel
Main power cabinet where electric enters a home’s wiring system.
Electrical Rough
Work performed by the electrician after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. All electrical wires, and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (this is part of the work is required for Pre-Drywall Inspection).
Electrical Trim
Work performed by the electrician when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, plates, light fixtures, smoke detectors, wires the ventilation fans & the HVAC, and “makes up” the electric panel. The electrician does all electrical work necessary to get the home ready to pass the municipal final inspection.
Elevation sheet
The page on the blue prints that depicts the house as if a person is looking straight at each of the sides (there is no perspective in this drawing).
Evaporator coil
The part of a cooling system that absorbs heat from air in your home and is located in the compressor unit.
Expansion joint
Fibrous material (1/2″ thick) installed in and around a concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non-moving foundation wall. Also between the house and adjacent flatwork (drive, sidewalk, etc.) or adjacent sections of flatwork.
Expansive soils
Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present. (“Betonite” is an expansive soil). It is a common problem in Arizona. Solving this problem requires the use of a post-tensioned slab.