G F C I, or G F I - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - An ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has a small reset button on the plug.
Gable- The end, upper, triangular area of a home, beneath the roof.
Galvanic Action - An electrochemical action that generates electrical current between two metals of dissimilar electrode potential.
Galvanize- A lead and zinc bath treatment to prevent rusting.
Gang Box - Electrical rough-in box constructed of metal or hard plastic, to provide for two or more outlets or switches.
Gang Nail Plate - A steel plate attached to both sides at each joint of a truss. Sometimes called a fish-plate or gusset.
Gas Fitter - A person trained & licensed to install or service gas fired appliances.
Gate Valve - A valve that lets you completely stop—but not modulate—the flow within a pipe.
General Contractor - A contractor who enters into a contract with the owner of a project for the construction of the project and who takes full responsibility for its completion, although the contractor may enter into subcontracts with others for the performance of specific parts or phases of the project.
Garage Door Opener - An electrically driven mechanical device to raise and lower a garage door, usually activated by a radio control in the car or by a wall switch.
Gas Lateral - The trench or area in the yard where the gas line service is located, or the work of installing the gas service to a home.
Gazebo- A freestanding pavilion structure often found in parks, gardens and public areas.
Girder- A large or principal beam of wood or steel used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length.
Glass Block - A window type formed by a compilation of small translucent cubes of glass.
Glazing- The process of installing glass, which commonly is secured with glazier's points and glazing compound.
Globe Valve - A valve that lets you adjust the flow of water to any rate between fully on and fully off. Also see gate valve.
Gloss Enamel - A finishing paint material. Forms a hard coating with maximum smoothness of surface and dries to a sheen or luster (gloss).
Glued Laminated Beam (Glulam) - A structural beam composed of wood laminations or lams. The lams are pressure bonded with adhesives to attain a typical thickness of 1 ½" . (It looks like 5 or more 2 X 4's are glued together).
Grade- The average level of the proposed or finished ground adjoining a building at all exterior walls. Also the designated quality of a manufactured piece of wood
Grade Beam - A foundation wall that is poured @ level with or just below the grade of the earth. An example is the area where the 8' or 16' overhead garage door "block out" is located, or a lower (walk out basement) foundation wall is poured.
Gradient- Inclination of a road, piping, or the ground, expressed in percent.
Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM) - A fixed-rate, fixed-schedule loan. It starts with lower payments than a level payment loan; payments rise annually, with the entire increase being used to reduce the outstanding balance. The increase in payments may enable the borrower to pay off a 30-year loan in 15 to 20 years, or less.
Grain- The direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality of the fibers in wood.
Green Glue - Is a water-based, viscoelelastic-damping compound. Green Glue dampens air and structure borne sound and can be used in virtually any drywall wall or ceiling assembly.
Grid- In an electrical system, a term used to refer to the electrical utility distribution network.
Ground- Refers to electricity's habit of seeking the shortest route to earth. Neutral wires carry it there in all circuits. An additional grounding wire or the sheathing of the metal-clad cable or conduit—protects against shock if the neutral leg is interrupted.
Ground Fault - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI, GFI)- an ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has a small reset button on the plug.
Ground Iron - The plumbing drain and waste lines that are installed beneath the basement floor. Cast iron was once used, but black plastic pipe (ABS) is now widely used.
Grounds– Strips of wood that are attached to walls before plastering along the floor line and around the windows, doors, and other openings as a plaster stop and thickness guide.
Ground Source Heat Pump - A heat pump that transfers heat from the earth or ground water in cold weather and transfers it to the house through an underground piping system for space heating, cooling or water heating. The process reverses in warm weather, and heat is discharged to the ground or water.
Groundwater- Water from an aquifer or subsurface water source.
Grout - A wet mixture of cement, sand and water that flows into masonry or ceramic crevices to seal the cracks between the different pieces. Mortar made of such consistency (by adding water) that it will flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry work and fill them solid.
Guard- A protective barrier around openings in floors or at the open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, raised walkways, or other locations to prevent accidental falls from one level to another.
Gusset- A flat wood, plywood, or similar type member used to provide a connection at the intersection of wood members. Most commonly used at joints of wood trusses. They are fastened by nails, screws, bolts, or adhesives.
Gutter- A shallow channel or conduit of metal or wood set below and along the (fascia) eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater from the roof.
Gyp Board - Drywall. Wall board or gypsum- A panel (normally 4' X 8', 10', 12', or 16')made with a core of Gypsum (chalk-like) rock, which covers interior walls and ceilings.
Gypsum Plaster - Gypsum formulated to be used with the addition of sand and water for base-coat plaster.