Austin Appraiser - Home Appraisal Austin

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

Construction Terminology

 

FIREPLACES

1. Chimney- A vertical masonry shaft reinforced concrete or other approved non-combustibles, heat resisting material enclosing one or more flues. It removes the products of combustion from solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.

2. Flue Liner- The flue is the hole in the chimney. The liner, usually of terra cotta, protects the brick from harmful smoke gases.

3. Chimney Cap- This top is generally of concrete. It protects the brick from weather.

4. Chimney Flashing- Sheet-metal flashing provides a tight joint between chimney and roof.

5. Firebrick- An ordinary brick cannot withstand the heat of direct fire, an so special firebrick is used to line the fireplace.

6. Ash Dump- A trap door to let the ashes drop to a pit below, from where they may be easily removed.

7. Cleanout Door- The door to let the ash pit or the bottom of a chimney through which the chimney can be cleaned.

8. Chimney Breast- The inside face or front of a fireplace chimney.

9. Hearth- The floor of a fireplace that extends into the room for safety purposes.        

ROOF

10. Ridge- The top intersection of two opposite adjoining roof surfaces.

11. Ridge Board- The board that follows along under the ridge.

12. Roof Rafters- The structural members that support the roof.

13. Collar Beam- Really not a beam at all. A tie that keeps the roof from spreading. Connects similar rafters on opposite side of roof.

14. Roof Insulation- An insulating material (usually rock wool or fiberglass) in a blanket form placed between the roof rafters

for the purpose of keeping a house warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

15. Roof Sheathing- The boards that provide the base for the finished roof.

16. Roofing- The wood, asphalt, or asbestos shingles - or tile, slate or metal - that form protection against weather.

17. Cornice- A decorative element made up of molded members usually placed at or near the top of an interior wall.

18. Gutter- The trough that gathers rainwater from a roof.

19. Downspouts- The pipe that carries water from gutter. Downspouts should have extensions to carry water away from foundation areas.

20. Storm Sewer Tile- The underground pipe that receives water from downspouts and carries it to storm sewer.

21. Gable- The triangular end of a building with a sloping roof.

22. Barage Board- The fascia or board at the gable just under the edge of the roof.

23. Louvers- A series of slanted slots arranged to keep out rain, yet allow ventilation.    

  

WALLS AND FLOORS

24. Corner Posts- The vertical member at the corner of the frame, made up to receive inner and outer covering materials.

25. Studs- The vertical wood members of the house, usually 2x4’s generally spaced every 16 inches.

26. Sill- The board that is laid first on the foundation, and on which the frame rests.

27. Plate- The board laid across the tops of the studs to hold

them even and rigid.

28. Corner Bracing- Diagonal strips to keep the frame square and plumb.

29. Sheathing- The first layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs.

30. Joist- The structural member or beams that hold up the floor or ceiling, usually 2x10’s or 2x12’s spaced 16 inches apart.

31. Bridging- Cross bridging or solid. Members at the middle

or thirds points of joist spans to brace one to the next and to prevent their twisting.

32. Subflooring- The rough boards that are laid over the joist. Usually laid diagonally.

33. Flooring Paper- A felt paper laid on rough floor to stop air infiltration and, to some extent, noise.

34. Finish Flooring- Usually hardwood, of tongued and grooved strips.

35. Building Paper- Paper placed outside the sheathing, not as a vapor barrier, but to prevent water and air from leaking in. Building paper is also used as a tarred felt under shingles or siding to keep out moisture or wind.

36. Beveled Siding- Sometimes called clapboards, with a

thick butt and a thin upper edge lapped to shed water.

37. Wall Insulation- A blanket of wool or reflective foil places inside the walls.

38. Metal Lath- A mesh made from sheet metal onto which plaster is applied.        

FOUNDATION AND BASEMENT

39. Finished Grade Line- The top of the ground at the foundation.

40. Foundation Wall- The wall of poured concrete (shown) or concrete blocks that rests on the footing and supports the reminder of the house.

41. Termite shield- A metal baffle to prevent termites from entering the frame.

42. Footing- The concrete pad that carries the entire weight of the house upon the earth.

43. Footing Drain Tile- A pipe with cracks at the joints to allow underground water to drain in and away before it gets into the basement.

44. Basement Floor Slab- The 3 or 4 inch layer of concrete that forms the basement floor.

45. Gravel Fill- Placed under the slab to allow drainage and to guard against a damp floor.

46. Girder- A main beam upon which floor joists rest. Usually of steel, but also of wood.

47. Backfill- Earth, once dug out, that has been replaced and tamped down around the foundation.

48. Areaway- An open space to allow light and air to a window. Also called a light well.

49. Area Wall- The wall, of metal or concrete, that forms the open area.    

  

WINDOWS AND DOORS

50. Window- An opening in a building for admitting light and air. It usually has a pane or panes of glass and set in a frame or sash that is generally movable for opening and shutting.

51. Window Frame- The lining of the window opening.

52. Window Sash- The inner frame, usually movable, that holds the glass.

53. Lintel- The structural beam over a window or door opening.

54. Window Casing- The decorative strips surrounding a window opening on the inside.       

STAIRS AND ENTRY

55. Entrance Canopy- A roof extending over the entrance door.

56. Furring- Falsework or framework necessary to bring the outer surface to where we want it.

57. Stair Tread- The horizontal strip where we put our foot when we climb up or down the stairs.

58. Stair Riser- The vertical board connecting one tread to the next.

59. Stair Stringer- The sloping board that supports the ends of the steps.

60. Newel- The post that terminates the railing.

61. Stair rail- The bar used for a handrail when we use the stairs.

62. Balusters- Vertical rods or spindles supporting a rail.