The Homeplans Glossary

Definitions are provided for informational purposes only.

Ampere
The standard measure of electric current. Residential electric circuits, for example, usually have has a capacity of about 20 amperes. Also see Volts.

Anchor Bolts
Threaded bolts embedded in the foundation to secure the sill.

Balusters
The upright spindles that support the railing on a staircase or a porch railing.

Backer Board
See cement board.

Backfill
Earth that fills in the space around the outside of the foundation.

Back Splash
The vertical section at the back of a countertop to protect the wall.

Base Board
The wide molding at the bottom of a wall, where it meets the floor. Also see Shoe.

Bearing Wall
A supporting wall which holds up a ceiling or floor joist or a roof element.

Board & Batten
A type of exterior siding with vertical battens (narrow boards) nailed over wide boards (or more commonly today, plywood) to provide a rustic or country appearance.

Board Foot
The standard measure for framing lumber. Any piece of lumber that has the same total volume of wood as a board 1" thick, 12" wide, 2" X 6" X 12" is also `1 board foot,` for example.

Branch Line
A drain line which empties into a the main drain line.

Branch Circuit
An electric circuit with a separate fuse or circuit breaker.

Brick Veneer
A facing of bricks (or other masonry) on an exterior wall.

Bridging, Blocking
A series of cross-braces between ceiling or floor joists to stabilize them and keep them from twisting under load.

Building Paper
Rolls of resin or tar-impregnated paper used a barrier layers under roofing, siding, and finish flooring. Most building papers have been replaced by synthetic materials but they still have limited uses.

Bullnose
A ceramic tile (or other material) with a rounded edge, used to provide a finished appearance.

Casings
See surrounds.

Casement Window
A window with hinges on one side of the sash, such that it that opens like a door.

Cat
Any internal brace between studs, etc., to stabilize, provide subsurface support, or other purpose.

Cement Board
A very rigid, cement based, structural sheet material. It is used as a base for ceramic tile instead of cement over lath.

Center, Center-To-Center, On Center
See on-center.

Chip Board
See wafer board.

Circuit Breaker
A safety device that interupts electrical current in the event of a short circuit. Similar to a fuse. Important: a circuit breaker is not a Ground Fault Interupter.

Clapboard
A type of exterior siding with thin horizontal boards. The bottom edge of each board overlaps the top edge of the board beneath it.

Clean Out
A plug or cap which allows access for cleaning in a sewer line, etc.

Concrete
A aggregate of portland cement, sand, and gravel or crushed stone. Much stronger than a sand/cement mixture.

Crawl Space
The space beneath the floor and the ground.

Curtain Wall
A wall which does not support any joists or other overhead structure. A non-bearing wall.

Dimension Lumber
Refers to the standard sizes for framing lumber. joists for example are about 2 inches thick by 8, 10, or 12 inches wide, depending on where they're used. Wall studs are usually either 2X4 or 2X6 inches.

Dormer
Technically, a dormer is a window in a raised section of the roof, but the term also refers to the entire raised section. There are two basic styles of dormers: a small raised section with a gabled roof, (they're often called a "dog house" or "pigeon coop" dormers),and larger "shed" dormers, which generally have flat (as opposed to gable) roofs to provide increased interior headroom.

Double Hung Window
A window with two sashes (sections) which slide up and down.

Drywall
See wallboard.

Ducts
Ducts are large diameter conduits, that deliver heated/cooled air throughout the house. Older houses have ducts made from sheet metal, but today, ducts are usually insulated, flexible plastic tubes.

Duplex Receptacle
An electric outlet.