Back Charge - An offsetting charge against a bill, often asserted by an owner against a prime contractor or a by prime contractor against a subcontractor based on supposedly defective construction work.
Backfill - The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement /crawl space foundation wall.
Backing - Frame lumber installed between the wall studs to give additional support for drywall or an interior trim related item, such as handrail brackets, cabinets, and towel bars. In this way, items are screwed and mounted into solid wood rather than weak drywall that may allow the item to break loose from the wall. Carpet backing holds the pile fabric in place.
Backflow Preventer - Backcheck valve; a device, which prevents sewage from flowing backward into a buildings plumbing system.
Back Mounted Tile - Mounted tile with perforated paper, fiber mesh, or other suitable bonding material applied to the backs or edges of the tile so that a relatively large portion of the tile area is exposed to the setting bed.
Back-Nailing (Blind-Nailing) - The practice of nailing the back portion of a roofing ply, steep roofing unit, or other components in a manner so that the fasteners are covered by the next sequential ply, or course, and are not exposed to the weather in the finished roof system.
Backset of a Hinge - The distance from the edge of the door to the hinge.
Backset of a Lock - The distance from the centerline of a tubular door lock or cylinder to the edge of the door, measured on the high side of a beveled door.
Bathroom Lock - A non-keyed privacy lock that can be locked from the inside by push-button and opened from the outside by a small tool; a privacy lock.
Back Splash - A protective panel installed on the wall behind a counter, sink or lavatory.
Baffles - Device to help achieve a ventilation space between insulation and roof sheathing. It helps assure air flow from the eave vents in attics and cathedral ceilings.
Balance Point - An outdoor temperature, usually between 30° F and 45° F, at which a heat pump's output exactly equals the heating needs of the home. Below the balance point, supplementary electric resistance heat is needed to maintain indoor comfort.
Balcony - A platform projecting from an upper storey and enclosed by a railing.
Ballast - A transformer that steps up the voltage in a florescent lamp.
Ballcock - The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is controlled by a float mechanism that floats in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is full.
Balloon - A loan that has a series of monthly payments with the remaining balance due in a large lump sum payment at the end.
Balloon Framed Wall -Framed walls (generally over 10' tall) that run the entire vertical length from the floor sill plate to the roof. This is done to eliminate the need for a gable end truss.
Balusters - Vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads. Sometimes referred to as 'pickets' or 'spindles'.
Balustrade - The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a stairway or elevated walkway.
Band Joist - Vertical member that forms the perimeter of a floor system in which the floor joists tie in. Also known as the rim joist.
Banister - A hand railing.
Barge - Horizontal beam rafter that supports shorter rafters.
Barge Board - A decorative board covering the projecting rafter (fly rafter) of the gable end. At the cornice, this member is a fascia board.
Barrier-Free - Means a building and its facilities can be approached, entered, and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities.
Base or Baseboard - A trim board placed against the wall around the room next to the floor.
Base Course - In masonry the first or bottom course of brick or masonry blocks.
Basement - A storey or stories of a building located below the first story.
Basement Window Inserts - The window frame and glass unit that is installed in the window buck.
Base Shoe - Moulding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip.
Basket Strainer - A basket-shaped strainer with holes and a slot that fits into a sink or shower drain to allow water to run out but to catch food or other objects before they can enter the sewage system and possibly clog the drain.
Basin - A bowl-shaped sanitary fixture with outlets for taps and wastes.
Basin Wrench - A wrench with a long handle with jaws mounted on a swivel that allows the jaws to reach and handle nuts to fasten faucets to a previously installed sink.
Bat - A half-brick.
Batt - A section of fiber-glass or rock-wool insulation measuring 15 or 23 inches wide by four to eight feet long and various thickness'. Sometimes "faced" (meaning to have a paper covering on one side) or "unfaced" (without paper).
Batten - Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards.
Bay Window - Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan.
B.C.I.N. - Building Code Identification Number (Ontario)
Beam - A structural member transversely supporting a load. A structural member carrying building loads (weight) from one support to another. Sometimes called a "girder".
Beam Pocket – A notch formed at the top of a foundation wall to receive and support the end of a beam.
Bearing Partition - A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bearing Point - A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.
Bearing Wall - A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bearing Header - (a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. (c) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for example over a door or window).
Bed Moulding - A moulding in an angle, as between the over hanging cornice, or eaves, of a building and the sidewalls.
Bedrock - A subsurface layer of earth that is suitable to support a structure.
Benching - A stable soil slope is maintained between the lowered basement floor level, and the underside of the original footings (to avoid undermining the footings). Then, a steel reinforced concrete "bench" is poured over top of the stable soil slope, to ensure that the soil slope is protected. It leaves you with a concrete bench around the interior perimeter of the basement.
Benchmark - Mark on some permanent object fixed to the ground from which land measurements and elevations are taken.
Bid - A formal offer by a contractor, in accordance with specifications for a project, to do all or a phase of the work at a certain price in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in the offer.
Bid Bond - A bond issued by a surety on behalf of a contractor that provides assurance to the recipient of the contractor's bid that, if the bid is accepted, the contractor will execute a contract and provide a performance bond. Under the bond, the surety is obligated to pay the recipient of the bid the difference between the contractor's bid and the bid of the next lowest responsible bidder if the bid is accepted and the contractor fails to execute a contract or to provide a performance bond.
Bid Security - Funds or a bid bond submitted with a bid as a guarantee to the recipient of the bid that the contractor, if awarded the contract, will execute the contract in accordance with the bidding requirements of the contract documents.
Bid Shopping - A practice by which contractors, both before and after their bids are submitted, attempt to obtain prices from potential subcontractors and material suppliers that are lower than the contractors' original estimates on which their bids are based, or after a contract is awarded, seek to induce subcontractors to reduce the subcontract price included in the bid.
Bidding Requirements - The procedures and conditions for the submission of bids. The requirements are included ion documents, such as the notice to bidders, advertisements for bids, instructions to bidders, invitations to bid, and sample bid forms.
Bifold Door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.
Binder - A receipt for a deposit to secure the right to purchase a home at an agreed terms by a buyer and seller.
Bipass Doors - Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet doors.
Bird's-Mouth Cut - An interior angle or notch cut across a piece of timber, for the reception of the edge of another, as that in a rafter to be laid on a wall plate.
Bitumen - (1) a class of amorphous, black or dark colored, (solid, semi-solid, or viscous) cementitious sub-stances, natural or manufactured, composed principally of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, soluble in carbon disulfide, and found in petroleum asphalts, coal tars and pitches, wood tars and asphalts; (2) a generic term used to denote any material composed principally of bitumen, typically asphalt or coal tar.
Blankets - Fiber-glass or rock-wool insulation that comes in long rolls 15 or 23 inches wide
Blind Miter - Joint made by butting the first piece of material into a corner then shaping the second piece so that it conforms to the outline of the first piece.
Blocked (Door Blocking) - Wood shims used between the door frame and the vertical structural wall framing members.
Blocked (Rafters) - Short "2 by 4's" used to keep rafters from twisting, and installed at the ends and at mid-span.
Blocking - Small wood pieces to brace framing members or to provide a nailing base for gypsum board or paneling.
Block Out - To install a box or barrier within a foundation wall to prevent the concrete from entering an area. For example, foundation walls are sometimes "blocked" in order for mechanical pipes to pass through the wall, to install a crawl space door, and to depress the concrete at a garage door location.
Blown-In Insulation - Fiber insulation in loose form and used to insulate attics and existing walls where framing members are not exposed.
Blue Print(s) - A type of copying method often used for architectural drawings. Usually used to describe the drawing of a structure, which is prepared by an architect or designer for the purpose of design and planning, estimating, securing permits and actual construction.
Board Foot - A unit of measure for lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long. Examples: 1" x 12" x 16' = 16 board feet, 2" x 12" x 16' = 32 board feet
Board On Board Siding - Vertical siding in which boards are installed with gaps between them. Boards of the same size are then installed over the gaps.
Boiler - An appliance intended to supply hot water or steam for space heating, processing or power purposes.
Bollard Pipe - Short pipe length, placed vertically in the ground and filled with concrete to prevent vehicular access or to protect property from damage by vehicular encroachment.
Bond or Bonding - An amount of money (usually $5,000-$10,000), which must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor's license. The bond may be used to pay for the unpaid bills or disputed work of the contractor. Not to be confused with a 'performance bond'. Such bonds are rarely used in residential construction; they are an insurance policy, which guarantees proper completion of a project.
Bond Beam Blocks - concrete masonry units that are similar to standard CMUs, except that the webs are cut to remove the upper portion. In many cases, the block units are provided with knock out sections that are removed when the units are used in the bond beam. The notch in the top of the webs creates a space into which the horizontal reinforcing is placed in a reinforced masonry wall. The vertical reinforcing extends through the cells in the bond beam unit. A wire mesh or fabric is placed in the bed joint just below the bond beam unit at any of the cells that do not contain vertical reinforcing as the walls are erected. This mesh prevents the grout from flowing down the vertical cell space so the horizontal bond beam can be filled without filling all the vertical cells.
Boom - A truck used to hoist heavy material up and into place. To put trusses on a home or to set a heavy beam into place.
Bottom Chord - The lower or bottom horizontal member of a truss.
Bottom Plate - The "2 by 4's or 6's" that lay on the subfloor upon which the vertical studs are installed. Also called the 'sole plate'.
Box Beam - A built-up beam with solid wood flanges and plywood or woodbase panel product webs.
Brace - An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to strengthen the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed.
Brad - A small slender wire nail with a thickened top for a head.
Brake - A hand- or power-activated machinery used to form metal.
Breaker Panel - The electrical box that distributes electric power entering the home to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and composed of circuit breaker
Breeching - A flue pipe or chamber for receiving flue gases from 1 or more flue connections and discharging these gases through a single flue connection.
Breeze Way - A roofed area usually found between the garage and house proper designed to provide shelter and outdoor summertime comfort.
Brick Ledge - Part of the foundation wall where brick (veneer) will rest.
Brick Lintel - The metal angle iron that brick rests on, especially above a window, door, or other opening.
Brick Moulding - A moulding applied to the exterior of window and door frames. The brick moulding often forms a boundary at the edge of brick or other siding material at the door or window frame. The rabbet formed between the door frame and the brick moulding is sometimes used to attach a screen, storm sash, or combination door.
Brick Sill - A common type of exterior window sill in brick walls with the bricks protruding past the wall line to allow water to fall directly to the ground
Brick Tie - A small, corrugated metal strip @ 1" X 6"- 8" long nailed to wall sheeting or studs. They are inserted into the grout mortar joint of the veneer brick, and holds the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.
Brick Veneer - A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or tile wall construction.
Bridging - Small wood or metal members that are inserted in a diagonal position between the floor joists or rafters at mid-span for the purpose of bracing the joists/rafters & spreading the load.
Broom Finish - The most common exterior flatwork finish; a slightly rough texture achieved by running a broom over freshly troweled concrete.
BTU - British Thermal Unit - The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water through a change of one degree F.
Builder's Risk Insurance - Insurance coverage on a construction project during construction, including extended coverage that may be added for the contract for the customer's protections.
Building Area - The greatest horizontal area of a building above grade within the out side of exterior walls or within the outside surface of exterior walls and the centre line of the firewalls.
Building Codes - Community ordinances governing the manner in which a home may be constructed or modified.
Building Envelope – Building cladding plus building roof system
Building Height - The number of stories contained between the roof and the floor of the first storey.
Building Insurance - Insurance covering the structure of the building.
Building Paper - A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses. Generally comes in long roll
Building System - A combination of elements or components that form a complete major division of construction in the design in a building or part of a building, including,
o A structural or framing system,
o A waterproofing system,
o A drainage system,
o An exterior cladding system,
o A roofing system,
o A window system,
o A partition system,
o A corridor system,
o A stair system,
o A fire alarm and detection system,
o A sprinkler system,
o A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system,
o A foundation system,
o A standpipe and hose system,
o A flooring system,
o A plumbing system,
o A sewage system,
o Or an electrical system.
Built-Up Roof - A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs.
Bull Nose (Drywall) - Rounded drywall corners
Bull Nose (Tile) - Also called cap tile, shaped to define an edge of a surface, such as a countertop.
Bundle - A package of shingles. Normally, there are 3 bundles per square and 27 shingles per bundle.
Butt Edge - The lower edge of the shingle tabs.
Butt Hinge -The most common type. One leaf attaches to the door's edge, the other to its jamb.
Butt Joint - The junction where the ends of two timbers meet, and also where sheets of drywall meet on the 4 foot edge. To place materials end-to-end or end-to-edge without overlapping.
Butterfly Roof - Roof style consisting of two planes that slope inward forming a V, lower in the center than at the outside edge.
Buttress - A structure built against a wall to support or reinforce it. Usually an exterior masonry structure that opposes the lateral thrust of an arch or a vault and adds extra support.
Buy Down - A subsidy (usually paid by a builder or developer) to reduce monthly payments on a mortgage.
By Fold Door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.
By Pass Doors - Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet doors.