Learning Objectives: To become familiar with terminology used in the design and construction of new homes.
The terminology covered in this course is specific to construction vocabulary typically found and used by licensed general contractors and subcontractors in the southwest. These terms are general and generic in their use and convey real terminology used on jobsites by contractors every day.
Accessories: The finishing touches including, but not limited to: mirrors, shower enclosures, towel rings and rods.
Aerator: Small, removable extension at the tip of a sink faucet that mixes streaming water with air to reduce splashing and conserve water.
Attic vents: Screened openings that ventilate an attic.
B-Vent: A double-walled metal pipe for venting gas appliances.
Basement: Habitable space built below grade and serves as a portion or entirely as the foundation for a house.
Beam: A structural member transversely supporting a load.
Bearing wall: A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Brace: An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to stiffen and support the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed.
Brick/Stone Veneer: A facing of brick or stone veneer laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall.
Cabinets: A wide array of varieties can be found, but generally in production home building “modular” cabinets are used; built as boxes they can be placed alone or together to fit nearly any configuration. Whereas cabinets in custom homes are generally built onsite to fit specific specifications and sizes.
Casing: Molding of various widths and thicknesses used to trim door and window openings at the jambs.
Caulk: A building joint sealant used where two dissimilar materials are joined.
Circuit breaker: A switching device located in the main electrical panel, that opens and closes electrical circuits and automatically shuts off electricity to a circuit should it become overloaded. Once the electrical load is reduced, the breaker switch can be turned back on to resume normal service.
