| A/C:
An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning.
A/C Condenser:
The condenser is the outside fan unit of the Air
Conditioning system. It removes the heat from the Freon gas
and "turns" the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid
back to the coil in the furnace.
A/C Disconnect: The main electrical
ON-OFF switch near the A/C Condenser.
Acrylic Knockdown (AKD):
Finish applied to a concrete floor surface. Typically
applied on porch floors and decking surrounding swimming
pools. The concrete deck receives a textured finish. It then
receives an acrylic elastic type paint or coating applied
over the textured finish. It can be easily recoated or
painted later which makes it appear new again. Any exterior
floor area in Florida should be hosed down weekly to keep
mildew at bay. Aerator:
The round screened screw-on tip of a sink spout. It mixes
water and air for a smooth flow.
Air Conditioned Living Area: The
square footage of the area that is air conditioned in a
home. Areas such as garage, porches, non air conditioned
attic storage areas, etc. are not included in this
measurement. When cost per square foot is considered the
cost of the home is typically divided by the square footage
of Air Conditioned Living Area. Large amounts of non air
conditioned area can have a huge impact on the cost per
square foot of a home.
Allowances: In the specifications for the
construction of a home typically numerous items are called
allowances. They are typically decorator items such as
cabinets, tile, wallpaper, carpet, landscaping, etc. The
Builder will base the price of the home including allowances
for the items agreed to as allowance items. Depending upon
the choices the Buyer makes they will receive a credit if
their choice is less than the allowance, none if the same as
the allowance, or they will be charged the additional amount
if their choice cost more than the allowance for that
particular item. This is an area that allows many
unscrupulous Builders to offer a below market price for a
home by reducing the allowances. The Buyers receive many
unpleasant surprises when Builders do this throughout the
process. It is not at all unusual to find out that the
Builder with the higher bid has in fact the lowest cost in
the end due to this practice. Protect yourself by doing some
research on what you desire for the allowance items vs. the
allowance offered.
Amortization: A payment plan by which a loan
is reduced through monthly payments of principal and
interest. Annual Percentage
Rate (APR): Annual cost of credit over the
life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points,
loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items.
Architectural Ceilings:
Known as tray ceilings or other specially designed ceilings.
They are typically designed by the Interior Architectural
Designer and not the Architect or Designer of the home.
Astragal: A
molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging double doors,
against which the other door strikes.
Attic Access:
An opening that is placed in the dry-walled ceiling of a
home providing access to the attic.
Automated lighting control system: A
professionally installed system that controls lights in
multiple rooms without use of manual switches.
Backsplashes:
Wall area between the cabinet countertop and the upper
cabinets. This area can have tile, granite, wallpaper, or
painted an accent color.
Balusters: Vertical members in a railing
used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads.
Balusters are sometimes referred to as 'pickets' or
'spindles'. Balustrade:
The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a
stairway or elevated walkway are known as the Balustrade.
Banding:
Typically refers to exterior veneer of the home. Banding is
the trim installed around windows, doors, and other exterior
architectural features of the home. It can be made out of
stucco, wood, or stone. Bath
Accessories: Includes the toilet tissue
holder and towel bars. They can be metal or ceramic.
Bi-fold door:
Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller
area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.
Bi-pass doors:
Doors that slide by each other and commonly used as closet
doors. Bottom chord:
The lower or bottom horizontal member of a truss.
Breaker panel:
The electrical box that distributes electric power entering
the home to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and
composed of circuit breakers.
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 codes:
Local and state ordinances governing the manner in which a
home may be constructed or modified.
Built INS: Can be anywhere in the
home. The Built Ins are typically designed by the Interior
Architectural Designer. They are normally built into some
type of niche specially prepared for the Built in. They are
highly personalized and not inexpensive. Normally, the
built-ins are finished wood and include TV entertainment
centers, Bookcases, Desk, Storage Chest, and much more.
Bull nose (drywall):
Rounded drywall corners.
Café Grille Hood:
Installed on the rear porch over the outdoor grille. They
should include a venting system to remove all smoke and odor
to the outside through the roof or side wall of the home.
Cantilever: An
overhang where one floor extends beyond and over a
foundation wall. For example at a fireplace location or bay
window cantilever. Casement:
A window that one side of the window sash cranks out.
Casing: The
casing is the wood trim molding installed around a door or
window opening. Cast Stone:
Man made material to resemble coral stone or some other type
of natural stone. Cast Stone is very expensive. Many times
the same look can be accomplished through our stucco artists
at a fraction of the cost.
Cement: The gray powder that is the "glue"
in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive.
Ceramic tile: A
man-made or machine-made clay tile used to finish a floor or
wall. Generally used in bathtub and shower enclosures and on
counter tops. Certificate of
Occupancy: Issued by the County Building
Department once the home has passed all of the required
inspections by the County building department. This
certificate is issued by the local municipality and is
required before anyone can occupy and live within the home.
It is issued only after the local municipality has made all
inspections and all monies and fees have been paid.
CFM (cubic feet per minute):
A rating that expresses the amount of air a blower or fan
can move. The volume of air (measured in cubic feet) that
can pass through an opening in one minute.
Chair rail:
Interior trim material installed about 3-4 feet up the wall,
horizontally. Circuit
Breaker: A device which looks like a switch
and is usually located inside the electrical breaker panel
or circuit breaker box. It is designed to (1) shut of the
power to portions or all of the house and (2) to limit the
amount of power flowing through a circuit (measured in
amperes). 110 volt household circuits require a fuse or
circuit breaker with a rating of 15 or a maximum of 20 amps.
220 volt circuits may be designed for higher amperage loads
e.g. a hot water heater may be designed for a 30 amp load
and would therefore need a 30 amp fuse or breaker.
Circuit: The
path of electrical flow from a power source through an
outlet and back to ground. CO:
An abbreviation for "Certificate of Occupancy".
Cold air return:
The ductwork (and related grills) that carries room air back
to the furnace for re-heating.
Combustion air: The duct work
installed to bring fresh, outside air to the furnace and/or
hot water heater. Normally 2 separate supplies of air are
brought in: One high and One low.
Compressor: A mechanical device that
pressurizes a gas in order to turn it into a liquid, thereby
allowing heat to be removed or added. A compressor is the
main component of conventional heat pumps and air
conditioners. In an air conditioning system, the compressor
normally sits outside and has a large fan (to remove heat).
Concrete block:
A hollow concrete 'brick' often 8" x 8" x 16" in size.
Concrete: The
mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel, and water. Used to
make garage and basement floors, sidewalks, patios,
foundation walls, etc. It is commonly reinforced with steel
rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh).
Condensate line:
The copper pipe that runs from the outside air conditioning
condenser to the inside furnace (where the a/c coil is
located). Condensation:
Beads or drops of water (and frequently frost in extremely
cold weather) that accumulate on the inside of the exterior
covering of a building. Use of louvers or attic ventilators
will reduce moisture condensation in attics. A vapor barrier
under the gypsum lath or dry wall on exposed walls will
reduce condensation.
Condensing unit: The outdoor component of a
cooling system. It includes a compressor and condensing coil
designed to give off heat.
Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC and R's):
The standards that define how a property may be used and the
protections the developer makes for the benefit of all
owners in a subdivision.
Construction Agreement: The contractual
agreement between the Buyers and the Builder. This agreement
spells out the rights, obligations, and duties between both
parties. Construction
Specifications: Attached to the Construction
Agreement. The specifications cannot be too long. Ours are
typically 100 pages or more detailing everything we can
think of that has been included with the home as well as
anything that is not. This is a very important document. If
it is not a substantial size document be very careful.
Control joint:
Tooled, straight grooves made on concrete floors to
"control" where the concrete should crack
Convection:
Currents created by heating air, which then rises and pulls
cooler air behind it. Also see radiation.
Cooling load:
The amount of cooling required keeping a building at a
specified temperature during the summer, usually 78° F,
regardless of outside temperature.
Corbel: The triangular, decorative
and supporting member that holds a mantel or horizontal
shelf. Corner bead:
A strip of formed sheet metal placed on outside corners of
drywall before applying drywall 'mud'.
Cornice:
Overhang of a pitched roof, usually consisting of a fascia
board, a soffit and appropriate trim moldings.
Course: A row
of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof.
Parallel layers of building materials such as bricks, or
siding laid up horizontally.
Deco Drain: Normally found at the
intersection of the concrete rear porch and the concrete
pool deck. The drain has a perforated top where the water
drains into a PVC trough and is then directed to the yard of
the home. We use a larger than standard Deco Drain to be
sure that no future problems will occur.
Dedicated circuit:
An electrical circuit that serves only one appliance (ie,
dishwasher) or a series of electric heaters or smoke
detectors. Disconnect:
A large (generally 20 Amp) electrical ON-OFF switch.
Distributed audio system:
A professionally installed system that allows occupants to
play and control audio from a central source in at least
three rooms in the home The system should include at a
minimum a distribution amplifier, room controls and in-wall,
on-wall or in-ceiling speakers.
Doorjamb, interior: The surrounding
case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It
consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a
horizontal head jamb. These 3 jambs have the "door stop"
installed on them. Dormer:
An opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects
out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other
openings. Double Cylinder
Deadbolt: This is a deadbolt lock on a door.
Double cylinder means that a key must be used on both sides
of the lock. A single cylinder means that a key must be used
on one side of the door while a lever of some other type is
used to unlock the door on the opposite side.
Double glass:
Window or door in which two panes of glass are used with a
sealed air space between. Also known as Insulating Glass.
Double hung: A
window that both the upper and lower window sashes move up
and down. Draw:
The amount of progress billings on a contract that is
currently available to a contractor under a contract with a
fixed payment schedule.
Driveway approach: Driveway area between the
street and the sidewalk at the front of the property. This
area must be concrete as opposed to brick pavers since it
must connect with the street.
Drop in Sink: Sink that is surface
mounted on a counter top. The rim of the sink is visible. A
sink that the rim is not visible is called an under mount
sink. Dry In:
usually refers to black roofing felt "tar Paper" used to
protect the plywood before the permanent roof. However,
Anderson Custom Creations only uses "peel and stick" which
is one of our above code standards.
Ducts: The heating system. Usually
round or rectangular metal pipes installed for distributing
warm (or cold) air from the furnace to rooms in the home.
Also a tunnel made of galvanized metal or rigid fiberglass,
which carries air from the heater or ventilation opening to
the rooms in a building. Dura
Rock: Reinforced concrete sheets installed
on the wall or a wood floor prior to the installation of
tile. The Dura Rock will not rot or absorb water while green
board or water resistant drywall will. This is a must for
all wall tile and tile installed on wood floors.
Easement: A
formal contract which allows a party to use another party's
property for a specific purpose. e.g. a sewer easement might
allow one party to run a sewer line through a neighbor’s
property. Eaves:
The horizontal exterior roof overhang.
Egress: A means
of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every
bedroom and basement. Normally a 4' X 4' window is the
minimum size required
Electrical Rough: Work performed by the
Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating
contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally
all electrical wires and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes
are installed (before insulation).
Electrical Trim: Work performed by
the electrical contractor when the house is nearing
completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches,
light fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance "pig tails", and
bath ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and "makes up" the
electric house panel. The electrician does all work
necessary to get the home ready for and to pass the
municipal electrical final inspection
Elevation:
Drawing depicting the final look of an element such as each
side of the home. Evaporator
coil: The part of a cooling system that
absorbs heat from air in your home. Also see condensing
unit. Expansion joint:
Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a
concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally)
along the non-moving foundation wall.
Exterior Rock Salt Accent
Painting: This treatment can be applied to
stucco banding, columns, window sills, etc. that has been
pitted with rock salt to resemble cast stone. It is a 2-3
stage treatment. First, the material is painted with the
color desired for the pitted area of the surface. It is then
repainted with the color desired for the main area of the
surface. This treatment makes the pitted areas stand out and
really finishes the cast stone look for a fraction of the
cost of cast stone. Sometimes, our clients have the banding
and other faux stone trim faux painted for an even nicer,
more authentic look. Fascia:
The flat, vertical surface immediately below the edge of a
roof. It is the surface a gutter would be attached to. The
term fascia can also be used to describe other flat vertical
surfaces in a home. Faux
Painting: Paint applied by an artist to a
surface in a manner to match a certain pattern and color
desired. Normally requires a base coat of paint with
numerous other coats of other color paint to achieve the
desired look. Faux painting is used on walls and many other
surfaces. Almost any faux look can be accomplished.
Felt- Tar paper:
Installed under the roof shingles. Normally 15 lb. or 30 lb.
Flashing: Sheet
metal or other material used in roof and wall construction
to protect a building from water seepage.
Flatwork:
Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and
sidewalks. Flue:
Large pipe through which fumes escape from a gas water
heater, furnace, or fireplace. Normally these flue pipes are
double walled, galvanized sheet metal pipe and sometimes
referred to as a "B Vent". Fireplace flue pipes are normally
triple walled. In addition, nothing combustible shall be
within one inch from the flue pipe.
Foam Insulation: Foam insulation is
injected into the exterior concrete block wall cavities not
filled with concrete. Foam insulation not only offers a
great insulation value, but also provides excellent sound
insulation. More importantly though, it fills every cavity
and void in the exterior walls eliminating places where bugs
and other pest can reside and enter the home.
Footer: The
concrete reinforced supporting base or groundwork of the
home. Foundation Wall:
The concrete block walls built on top of the footer to the
height of the slab. The area inside the foundation walls is
filled with compacted fill.
Framer: The carpenter contractor that
installs the lumber and erects the frame, flooring system,
interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters, decking, installs
all beams, stairs, soffits and all work related to the wood
structure of the home. The framer builds the home according
to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes
and regulations. Framing:
Lumber used for the structural members of a building, such
as studs, joists, and rafters.
French Drains: Installed below the
surface of the ground to aid movement of ground water
outside the home. A trench is dug in which a perforated PVC
pipe is installed. The pipe is embedded in gravel and the
pipe is then directed to a positive drain source. The pipe,
if properly sloped, will do an excellent job draining wet
areas. French drains are also known as under drains.
Frieze Bands: A
plain or decorated vertical band installed below the
exterior soffit and the exterior vertical veneer of the home
for decorative purposes. The band is typically thicker than
the adjacent wall surface and of another texture so that the
band will be prominent in appearance. This term could also
describe a band treatment inside the home just below the
ceiling. Glazing:
The process of installing glass, which commonly is secured
with glazier's points and glazing compound.
GPM: This is a
measurement that describes the number of gallons that can
flow through a particular pipe or other item per minute.
Grade: Ground
level or the elevation at any given point. Also the work of
leveling dirt. Also the designated quality of a manufactured
piece of wood. 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.
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. 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.
Gypsum Board: Gypsum is used to
create drywall. Drywall is the interior wall and ceiling
surface of your home. It comes in 4’x12’ sheets that are
taped and finished. Hardware:
All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is
near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars,
handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers,
etc. The Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware".
Heat Recovery Units:
Use waste heat from your air conditioning system to heat
domestic hot water. Heat
Rough: Work performed by the Heating
Contractor after the stairs and interior walls are built.
This includes installing all duct work and flue pipes.
Sometimes, the furnace and fireplaces are installed at this
stage of construction. Heat
Trim: Work done by the Heating Contractor to
get the home ready for the municipal Final Heat Inspection.
This includes venting the hot water heater, installing all
vent grills, registers, air conditioning services, turning
on the furnace, installing thermostats, venting ranges and
hoods, and all other heat related work.
Hip: A roof
with four sloping sides. The external angle formed by the
meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.
Hip roof: A
roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a
building. Home automation
system: A professionally installed system
that integrates the control of security, HVAC or lighting
systems to enhance safety, comfort and convenience.
Home run (electrical):
The electrical cable that carries power from the main
circuit breaker panel to the first electrical box, plugs, or
switch in the circuit. Home
theater system: A professionally installed
audio/video system designed to re-create cinema-like
experiences in the home, including at least a five-speaker
surround-sound system (at least installed or mounted on the
wall or ceiling) and a video display measuring 40 inches or
more. Hose Bib:
Exterior garden hose outlet.
HVAC: The heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning system for your home.
Interior Architectural Detailing: As
important or possibly more so that the architectural plans
for your home. They include the plans for all of the special
ceilings, niches, special trim, built ins, decorative tile
details, and more for your home. They are typically prepared
by the Interior Designer and Architect.
Irrigation:
Exterior sprinkler system for the yard.
Jamb: The side
and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening.
Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.
Joist hanger: A
metal "U" shaped item used to support the end of a floor
joist. Joist:
Wooden 2 X 8's, 10's, or 12's that run parallel to one
another and support a floor or ceiling, and supported in
turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls.
Keyless: A
plastic or porcelain light fixture that operates by a pull
string. Generally found in the basement, crawl space, and
attic areas. Knockdown:
Splatter texture applied to a surface that is then troweled
to achieve a particular finish. Normally used to describe
finish on drywall interior walls and ceilings, porch and
pool deck floor finishes, as well as a particular type of
exterior wall stucco finish.
Laminate: Formica or other brands surface
glued to a wood substrate typically for countertops.
Light Lift:
Typically found where chandeliers are installed in high
ceiling areas. The light lift is electrically operated and
raises or lowers the light fixture for cleaning and
maintenance. Loan in Process
Account: When the construction loan closes
prior to start of construction the lender creates an account
called the loan in process account or LIP. The total amount
placed in the LIP is the agreed purchase price less any
deposits or prepayments paid. The Builder is then paid from
this account as construction progresses in percentage
amounts according to the draw schedule provided by the
lender. Male:
Any part, such as a bolt, designed to fit into
another (female) part. External threads are male.
Masonry: Stone,
brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other
similar building units or materials. Normally bonded
together with mortar to form a wall.
Mastic: A pasty material used as a
cement (as for setting tile) or a protective coating (as for
Medallions:
Normally adhered to a wall or ceiling. They can be plaster,
stone, precast stone, etc. They are typically decorative in
nature. Millwork:
Generally all building materials made of finished
wood and manufactured in millwork plants. Includes all
doors, window and door frames, blinds, mantels, panel work,
stairway components (balusters, rail, etc.), moldings, and
interior trim. Does not include flooring, ceiling, or
siding. Miter joint:
The joint of two pieces at an angle that bisects the joining
angle. For example, the miter joint at the side and head
casing at a door opening is made at a 45° angle.
Molding: A wood
strip having an engraved, decorative surface.
Monitored security system:
A professionally installed system designed to detect
intrusion or other hazard, including sensors, an
alarm-sounding device and communication device that reports
conditions to an alarm monitoring service.
Mortar: A
mixture of cement (or lime) with sand and water used in
masonry work. Mortgagee:
The lender who makes the mortgage loan.
Motor Court:
Driveway area in front of garage.
Mullion: A vertical divider in the
frame between windows, doors, or other openings.
Muntins: Are
typically decorative in nature. Muntins can be a strip of
wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a
window. Today, they are typically installed for decorative
purposes only since normally one pane of glass is used for
the entire window opening. Today, they are veneered on both
sides of a piece of window glass to duplicate the type of
window look shown on the plans of the home.
Newel post: the
large starting post to which the ends of a stair guard
railing or balustrade is fastened.
Nonbearing wall: A wall supporting
no load other than its own weight.
Nosing: The projecting edge of a
molding or drip or the front edge of a stair tread.
Pitch: The
incline slope of a roof or the ratio of the total rise to
the total width of a house, i.e., a 6-foot rise and 24-foot
width is a one-fourth pitch roof. Roof slope is expressed in
the inches of rise, per foot of horizontal run.
Plot plan: An
overhead view plan that shows the location of the home on
the lot. Includes all easements, property lines, set backs,
and legal descriptions of the home. Provided by the
surveyor. Programmable
Thermostats: Allow the homeowner to program
times and temperature for automatic operation, saving 30%
during a typical setback period.
Radiant Barrier: Aluminum foil
installed over the air conditioned living area of the home
between the interior ceiling and the roof of the home. It is
typically stapled to the undersides of the sloped roof
trusses. Each piece is taped and sealed. Our trade’s people
advise us that this lowers the temperature in the middle of
the summer in attics 30 to 40 degrees. This should have a
large impact on utility cost.
Rebar: Steel reinforcing rods
installed in concrete. Objective is to hold the concrete
together. Receptacle:
An electrical outlet. A typical household will have many 120
volt receptacles for plugging in lams and appliances and 240
volt receptacles for the range, clothes dryer, air
conditioners, etc. Recessed
Box Washer Connection: Installed inside the
wall in the laundry where the clothes washer will be
located. Inside this box are the hot and cold water supplies
as well as the drain for the washer.
Recessed lights: Ceiling lights
installed in the ceiling of the home by the electrician.
Redline red lined prints:
Blueprints that reflect changes and that are marked with red
pencil. Retaining wall:
A structure that holds back a slope and
prevents erosion. Returns:
The conditioned air is distributed throughout the home using
a system of rigid and flexible duct, collectively referred
to as ductwork. Ductwork is a circulatory system that uses
supplies to feed air into a room and returns to complete the
circuit back to the air handler. Adequate and properly
placed returns will keep closed rooms from becoming
pressurized which limit the entrance of supply air into the
room. Rough opening:
The horizontal and vertical measurement of a window or door
opening before drywall or siding is installed.
Roughing-in:
The initial stage of a plumbing, electrical, heating,
carpentry, and/or other project, when all components that
won't be seen after the second finishing phase are
assembled. See also Heat Rough, Plumbing Rough, and
Electrical Rough. Sanctuary
space: an area designed for the owner either
inside or outside as a retreat area. Outside could include a
fire pit, summer kitchen and waterfall or an inside area
could be a private theater with a large screen projection
system. SEER:
Universal energy rating for heat pumps. The higher the
number the better.
Sentricon:
Termite treatment developed by DuPont. It is a termite
baiting system with baiting stations placed every so many
feet around the perimeter of the home. The baiting systems
are continuously monitored for any sign of termite activity.
Should activity occur at any baiting station then that area
is heavily treated for termites. The objective is to stop
termites before they reach the home.
Service entrance panel: Main power
cabinet where electricity enters a home wiring system.
Service equipment:
Main control gear at the service entrance, such as circuit
breakers, switches, and fuses.
Service lateral: Underground power
supply line. Sheathing:
A layer of plywood or similar type material applied to the
studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as
a foundation for a weatherproof exterior finish.
Single Cylinder Deadbolt:
This is a deadbolt lock on a door. Double cylinder means
that a key must be used on both sides of the lock. A single
cylinder means that a key must be used on one side of the
door while a lever of some other type is used to unlock the
door on the opposite side.
Single Hung: Refers to a type of window
where the bottom window sash goes up and down. The upper
sash remains fixed. Skimmer:
Typically refers to the pool. It is an inlet where the pool
water is sucked from the pool water surface by the pool pump
through the filtration equipment and returned to the pool as
fresh filtered water. Slide
Bolt: Normally found where double doors are
used. A slide bolt is installed at the top and bottom of one
of the doors to allow the doors to lock. The door with the
slide bolt remains fixed unless the slide bolts are opened.
It can then be opened or closed.
Soffit: The underside of a
structural component, such as a beam, arch, staircase, or
cornice. The term is typically used to refer to the flat
horizontal area between the edge of the roof and the
exterior veneer of the home.
Soil Report: The Soil Engineer takes core
samples at various locations on the home site 7-10 feet
deep. He then analyzes the samples for structural capacity
of the soil. His report details those findings and offers
his suggestions on how to deal with any problem soils.
Solarium: A
solarium is a room enclosed largely with glass and affording
exposure to the sun. The term solarium as used by a Builder
typically refers to the wall built surrounding this room.
The wall allows the room to remain open to the sun, but
affords privacy at the same time.
Span: The clear distance that a
framing member carries a load without support between
structural supports. The horizontal distance from eaves to
eaves. Street Tree:
Most communities today require the Builder to install an oak
tree of a certain size or other similar agreed tree species
every 50 feet or other length of street frontage.
Structured Wiring System:
The future of all homes! A central box is installed inside
the home in an easily accessible location. All TV and
telephone outlets are then wired directly to each outlet
from this box. The telephone, cable television, satellite,
fiber optic, and other lines coming into the home from the
outside are wired directly to this box. The computers can be
networked through this box, distributed audio and video
systems can be installed, as well as home automation and
lighting controls can be installed in this system.
Supplies: The
conditioned air is distributed throughout the home using a
system of rigid and flexible duct, collectively referred to
as ductwork. Ductwork is a circulatory system that uses
supplies to feed air into a room and returns to complete the
circuit back to the air handler. Adequate and properly
placed returns will keep closed rooms from becoming
pressurized which limit the entrance of supply air into the
room. Surface-mount:
Mounted on the surface of something as opposed to under
mount which would be a recessed mounting.
Threshold: A
piece of aluminum or wood placed beneath a door; a doorsill.
It typically has vinyl or rubber weather stripping installed
to not only save energy cost, but also to prevent pests from
entering the home. Tile Decos:
Describes the decorative treatments
installed in tile surfaces. Decos may be the same tile
turned or sized differently. It may also be another tile
material installed for decorative purposes.
Top chord: The
upper or top member of a truss.
Transom: A window or opening
installed above a door or window.
Trap: A plumbing fitting that holds
water to prevent air, gas, and vermin from backing up into a
fixture. Trusses:
Engineered wood roof system.
Tubes-In-The-Wall: Perforated tubes
installed in every exterior and interior wall in the home.
The tubes all lead to an injection port on the outside of
the home. Periodically, pressurized fumigant is sent through
the port into the tubes and disbursed in the wall cavities
of the home. It is an excellent method for pest control.
Tubes-Under-The-Slab:
Perforated tubes are installed under the slab under the
visquene vapor barrier prior to the slab being poured. All
tubes lead to an injection port. Pressurized termite
fumigant is sent through the port into the tubes and
disbursed below the slab. It is an excellent method for pest
control. Tyvek or similar
material: Applied to the exterior wood
plywood sheathing on all frame wall areas of the home. It is
a plastic type material that does an excellent job of
preventing moisture entering the home through the exterior
walls. Under drains:
Installed below the surface of the ground to aid movement of
ground water outside the home. A trench is dug in which a
perforated PVC pipe is installed. The pipe is embedded in
gravel and the pipe is then directed to a positive drain
source. The pipe if properly sloped will do an excellent job
draining wet areas. Under drains are also known as French
drains. Under-layment:
Material installed between two surfaces. An
example is: a pad installed between the concrete slab and
the carpet. Another example would be a waterproofing
membrane between concrete slab and ceramic tile. Another
example would be any material used under the permanent roof
to protect the plywood prior to roof installation. At
Anderson Custom Creations, we are one of the few builders
that install a second layer of plywood type wood
underlayment over the top of all plywood floors on our two
story homes. This second layer reduces noise and creates a
more stiffer floor system. This is another example of our
above code construction.
Vapor barrier: a vapor barrier is installed
on top of the foundation fill prior to pouring the slab.
This prevents condensation entering the floor of the home
from the ground below
Valley: The
"V" shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet.
Water drains off the roof at the valleys.
Vapor Barrier:
Visquene installed to prevent moisture from passing be
Water Closet:
Toilet or commode. Wood
Inserts: Wood Inserts in the specifications
refers to a decorative design created out of wood installed
inside some type of niche in the home.
Zoning: Zoning
the Air Conditioning System allows a home to be separated
into multiple zones. Each zone has individualized control
with its own thermostat. Also: A governmental process and
specification which limits the use of a property e.g. single
family use, high rise residential use, industrial use, etc.
Zoning laws may limit where you can locate a structure. Also
see building codes. |
