|
Home Construction Glossary
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Abrasives
Substances rubbed on wood to smooth the surface. Flint, garnet, aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide are common abrasives.
ABS Pipe
A type of plastic pipe frequently used in plumbing. The letters "ABS" are an abbreviation for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. The plastic is black and is most frequently used in the form of schedule 40 pipe.
Access Panel
A cover for a portal necessary to reach plumbing or other systems behind a wall.
Acre
A unit of measurement equal to 43,560 square feet.
Actual Dimension
Size of boards or lumber, distinguished from "nominal dimensions". Term 2x4 is a nominal dimension.
Adapter
A fitting that joins pipes and other plumbing components not designed to connect directly.
Adhesive
A material capable of holding other materials together by surface attachment. Glues, cements, pastes, and mucilage are some common adhesives.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage loan in which the interest rate is tied to a certain monetary index, and changes upward or downward to follow the index.
Aerator
A device screwed into a faucet spout that mixes air with the flow of water to reduce splashing.
Agent
A person (such as a real estate agent) authorized by a principal to transact or manage some business on his of her behalf.
Aggregate
Hard materials such as sand and crushed stone used to make concrete.
Air Duct
A formed conduit that carries warm or cold air to rooms from the furnace or air-conditioner and back again.
Air-Dried Lumber
Lumber that has been dried by being stored in yards or sheds for any length of time.
Air-Entrained
Concrete suffused with tiny air bubbles, making it more workable and better able to withstand frost.
Airway
A space between roof insulation and roof sheathing for movement of air.
Alligatoring
Coarse checking pattern characterized by a slipping of the new paint coating over the old coating to the extent that the old coating can be seen through the fissures.
Alternating Current (AC)
Electrical current which reverses direction regularly (60 hertz, or cycles per second, in the US). As opposed to DC or direct current which does not reverse direction.
Amortized Loan
A mortgage loan that is paid in periodic installments that include interest and part of the principal so that the principal will be paid in full at the end of the term of the loan.
Ampere
Also referred to as amp, the rate of flow of electricity through electric wires.
Anchor Bolt
A bolt placed in the surface of concrete for attaching wood framing members.
Angle Iron
L-shaped steel support used to support masonry over an opening.
Annual Interest Rate
The interest rate on a mortgage loan based on the nominal amount of the loan without deducting the points and finance charges.
Appraisal
An estimate of the market value of a property.
Appraiser
A professional trained to appraise properties.
Apron
The flat part of the inside trim of a window. It is placed against the wall directly beneath the window sill. Also, concrete slab at the approach to a driveway or garage door.
Apron
Concrete slab at the approach to a garage door- Also the wood trim below a window stool.
Arbitration
A procedure to settle differences or disputes between two parties through an impartial third party.
Arbor
A shaft or spindle on which a tool is mounted.
Asphalt
A brown to black bituminous substance. Most native asphalt is a residue from evaporated petroleum. Asphalt is used widely in building for such items as waterproofing roof coverings of many types, exterior wall coverings, and flooring tile.
Assessed Value
A value placed on a property by a public officer or a board as a basis for taxation.
Assessment
A charge against real property made by a branch of government to cover the proportionate cost of an improvement such as street or sewer.
Assignee
A person to whom a right or property is transferred.
Astragal
A molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging doors, against which the other door strikes. French doors use this as the stop.
Attic
The accessible space located between the top of the ceiling and the underside of the sloped roof.
Attic Ventilators
Openings in the roof or in gables for the purpose of allowing air to circulate.
Attorney-in-Fact A person who is given written authority by another person to sign documents on his or her behalf.
Awning
Shading device mounted above a window.
Awning Window
A window that is hinged near the top so the bottom opens outward.
|
