The Homeplans Glossary

Definitions are provided for informational purposes only.

Eaves
The part of the roof that projects or overhangs the walls. See also verges.

Elevations
The drawings of the front, rear, sides, and other vertical surfaces.

Enamel
A high-gloss or semigloss paint used for interior trim, usually oil or varnish based, but can be latex based. Enamel is a generic term for a wide variety of finishes and surfaces.

Fascia
The board which covers the ends of the roof rafters.

Felt Paper
See building paper.

Fenestration
Refers to the placement of windows upon an elevation. How windows are arranged.

Firestop
A cat or other blocking place in walls to prevent a flue effect. Cement or metal firestops are occasionally required by some building code.

Flashing
A metal strip or sheet used to bridge gaps between building elements to protect against water infiltration. Usually aluminum or copper.

Footing
The base for the foundation. Usually poured concrete.

Foundation
The walls, usually below ground level, that support the house. Usually of concrete, concrete block, or other masonry.

Framing
The "skeleton" of the house. Most houses are built of wood pieces, which come in standard sizes (see Dimension Lumber). After the frame has been erected it is sheathed before the finishing materials are applied.

Furring
Narrow boards used to level out a wall, such as a foundation, before applying wallboard. Furring is also used to create air space or to make room for thicker insulation.

Gable
The angled top section of an end wall, formed by the ends of the roof.

Gable Roof
An A-shaped roof. A roof that slopes downward on two sides from a central ridge, so as to leave a gable at each end.

Gambrel
A gable roof with two slopes on each side, the lower slope is steeper than the upper portion. A "barn" style roof.

Girder
Girders are heavy beams which support the floor joists and other framing members.

GFI
See Ground Fault Interupter.

Glazing
The glass in a window, door, etc.

Ground Fault Interupter
An electrical safety device that interupts the circuit if it detects an unbalanced flow electrical current.

Grout
A very fine material, usually cement, used to fill in the spaces between ceramic tiles.

Gutter
A rain gutter; any trough which carries water.

Hardboard
The generic term for a variety of materials made from resin-impregnated wood fiber or sawdust. Normally available as 4' X 8' sheets in thickness from 1/8" to 1" or more.

Header
A beam over a window, door, or other wall opening. It supports area above the opening.

Insulation
Any material used to reduce heat transmission. The most common types are fiberglass blankets and structural foam panels, which are placed in the walls and ceilings. Fiberglass insulation is supplied in rolls (blankets), and in shorter lengths (batts). Foam panels are supplied in a variety of sizes and configurations, and may also be surfaced with reflecting foil. Also see R-factor.

Jambs
The finish boards at the sides of a doorway or window which cover the rough opening.

Joists
The horizontal beams which support floors and ceilings. The "floor beams".

Kiln Dried
Refers to lumber which has been dried in an oven (kiln). Lumber becomes more stable (less prone to twisting) after kiln drying.