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| Glossary of Modular Terms | |
| "A" Style Dormers | Refers to the roof pitch of the dormer having the high point of the roof system in the center of the roof resembling an "a" when viewing it from the front elevation. The pitch of these "A" style roofs is 12/12. |
| A/C | An abbreviated term which means Air Conditioning or Air Conditioner. |
| Access | A passageway or means of approach to a room or building; a corridor between rooms; also a term used in building construction referring to points at which concealed equipment may be reached for inspection and repair. |
| Access Road | A road or pathway free of obstruction, to allow the width of a trailer carrying a modular unit clear access to the staging area or the site of the set. |
| Addition | A modular unit(s) that is added to an existing structure to enhance it's size, value, or appearance. Modular additions can be single story or multiple story, attached by side or on top of existing structural space. |
| Admixture | Material added to cement or the concrete mix to increase workability, strength, or imperviousness; to lower freezing point (e.g.: anti-freeze). Accelerators, plasticizers and air-entraining agents are admixtures. |
| Anchor Bolts | An L-shaped or J-shaped bolt or specifically designed metal strip that projects from the slab used to fasten exterior first-floor walls to the foundation. |
| Angle Bay | A space projecting outward from the walls of a room, either square or polygonal in plan. |
| Architectural Shingles | Shingles that have added dimension due to extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance. |
| As Built Drawings | As-Built Drawings depict the final installed configuration (whether physical or functional). They indicate any construction deviations and show all features of the project as actually built. These drawings provide a permanent record of as-built conditions and aid as key references for future maintenance processes. |
| Asphalt Shingles | Composition roof shingles made from asphalt impregnated felt covered with mineral granules. |
| Attic Pull Down Stairs | Also known as a disappearing stairway - is where the whole ladder comes down from the ceiling in one piece and is completely attached to the large rectangular hatch |
| Backfill | Loose dirt resulting from an excavation which is placed against the foundation wall after foundation bracing and waterproofing measures have be installed |
| Balusters | Vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads. Sometimes referred to as 'pickets' or 'spindles'. |
| Balustrade | The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a stairway or elevated walkway. |
| Barrier Wrap | A synthetic material that is very strong, difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or any other sharp object. Water vapor can pass through, but not liquid water. Modular units are wrapped (housewrap) to protect air and water intrusion under house siding. |
| Base Molding | A decorative board used to cover the joint between wall and floor. May also "baseboard molding". |
| Base Price | The price of the modular units direct from the factory not including structural upgrades and options. |
| Base shoe | Molding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip. |
| Baseboard Heating | Baseboard heaters have a central heating core that simply heats the cooler air at floor level and allows the lighter, warmed air to move upward into the room. Since there are no moving parts, baseboard heaters are essentially maintenance free. They require little space, no ductwork and the initial cost is relatively low, making them perfect for remodeled areas as well as for new construction. |
| Baseboard Molding | A horizontal decorative element used to cover the joint between a wall and floor. |
| Bay window | Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan. |
| Beam | A structural member bearing a load from one support to another. |
| Bearing Wall | A wall which supports any vertical load in a building as well as its own weight. |
| Becket | A necessary crane cable accessory where cables are attached to form a secured cable loop prior to lifting |
| 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. |
| Blend Painting | The painting of a new portion of wall, or newly spackled portion of wall, the same color as the existing wall. Blend painting does not refer to the painting of the entire wall. |
| Blocking | Small wood pieces to brace framing members or to provide a nailing base for gypsum board or paneling |
| Boiler | A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications. |
| Bolting | The process by which the Set Crew joins the modules together with thru bolts on the day of the set. |
| Bond plate | A framing member fastened to the top of a foundation wall along its entire perimeter, that serves as the interface between the house modules and the foundation wall. Also referred to as a "mud-sill" |
| Bonus Room | Used to describe a large room in a house which could be used as a multi-purpose area. A bonus room does not usually contain a closet. A bonus room might be used as hobby room, game room, or office. It is sometimes over a garage or in an attic area with partially reduced ceiling height. |
| Bow Roof | A roof supported by bow string trusses. |
| Box | see "Module" |
| Breezeway | A covered passage, open at each end, which passes through a house or between two structures increasing ventilation and adding an outdoor living effect. |
| Brick Veneer | The outside facing of brickwork used to cover a wall built of other material; an outer covering of a four inch brick wall tied to a wood-frame wall. |
| Build Specifications | The list of materials, methods, model numbers, colors, allowances, and other details which supplement the information contained in the working drawings. Written elaboration in specific detail about construction materials and methods. |
| Building Code | Codes are established by building officials and others with first-hand knowledge of construction practices. They govern the requirements for construction in a given area. Codes may vary depending on the structure being built [i.e. commercial, residential, multi-family, etc.] and the area in which they are built. |
| Building Permit | Authorization to build or modify a structure. |
| Building Schedule | A list of tasks and the time required for each, beginning with the design stage of a project and carrying through to structural completion and a certificate of occupancy. |
| Bump Out | A modular section that is built in the factory when the modular design is wider or longer than normal modular shipping dimensions |
| BX | BX cable is a genericized trademark term for type AC armored electrical cable. |
| Can | A housing for a recessed fixture. |
| Cantilever | When one floor extends beyond the floor below, or the foundation wall. Usually, a cantilever does not extend more than 2 feet. |
| Carbon Monoxide Detector | A device that detects the presence of the toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless compound produced by incomplete combustion and lethal at high levels. If a high level of CO is detected, the device sounds an alarm, giving people in the area a chance to ventilate the area or safely leave the building. |
| Carrier | A mobile base or frame with wheels used to transport a module from the factory to the job-site. |
| Casement Window | A type of window having a sash with hinges on one vertical side allowing window to open horizontally like a typical door. It is opened using a crank style handle. |
| Casework | Cabinetry or shelving inside a building. |
| Casing | A trim molding installed either on the interior or exterior to cover the window frame or jamb and the rough openings between the window unit and the wall. |
| Cat5E Cable | Category 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5, is a twisted pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. Many such cables are unshielded but some are shielded. This type of cable is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Internet and Ethernet. |
| Cathedral Vault | The gradual ceiling height increase in the interior of a homes when referring to vaulted ceilings. |
| Caulking | The process of filling seams with mastic material to prevent leaking. |
| Ceiling Beams | A structural member of the ceiling bearing a load from one support to another. Ceiling beams can be hidden above or show below in a decorative fashion |
| Ceiling Joist | The horizontal framing members that support ceiling loads. Also may be called "roof joist". |
| Cement Board Siding | Wood fibers and a bonding agent joined together under pressure to form a sheet of material used to protect the exterior of a house from natural elements. |
| Cement Board Surround [Tile Ready] | a combination of cement and glass fibers formed into 4 foot by 8 foot sheets, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick that are typically used as a tile backing board surrounding the walls above the tub, encompassing the shower area. |
| Central Air Conditioning | An air conditioner which provides service to an entire structure from a single, central source. |
| Central Heating | A system of heating in a building which depends upon one source, with distribution ducts. |
| Central Vacuum | Central vacuum cleaners move the suction motor and bag to a central location in the building and provide vacuum inlets throughout the building: only the hose and pickup head need be carried from room to room; and the hose is commonly 25 ft long, allowing a large range of movement without changing vacuum inlets. Plastic piping connects the vacuum outlets to the central unit. The vacuum head may either be unpowered or have beaters operated by an electric motor or air-driven motor. |
| Certificate of Occupancy [CO] | A legal document issued by a building inspector, stating that a house has passed all inspections and is ready for utility hook-up and occupancy. |
| Chair Rail | A plain or molded strip on a wood or plaster wall as a protection against chair backs. |
| Change Order | A document that is initiated by the homebuyer and is necessary to modify the plans, specifications and/or the price, by adding, deleting, or changing an item in the home. |
| Chase | A framed enclosed space around a flue pipe or a channel in a wall, or through a ceiling for something to lie in or pass through. |
| Circuit Breaker | A safety feature for electrical distribution. If the demand for electricity on a particular circuit is excessive, the circuit breaker stops the flow of electricity through that circuit. The circuit breaker must manually be reset in order for electricity to flow to tat circuit. |
| Circuit Panel | The electrical box located on the wall where the incoming electrical service is connected and then distributed throughout the building. |
| Clapboard Siding | The finish siding on the exterior of a building. It is usually manufactured by dry square-surfaced boards diagonally to produce two wedge shaped places. These pieces commonly run from 3/16 inch thick on the thin edge to 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick on the other edge, depending on the width of the siding. |
| Clear Span | The distance, or clear and unobstructed opening, between two supports of a beam; always less than the effective span. |
| Clearing | The removal of all standing growth, whether bushes or trees from a tract of land. |
| CMU | Concrete Masonry Unit - Type of building construction utilizing cinder block or concrete block. |
| CO [Certificate of Occupancy] | A legal document issued by a building inspector, stating that a house has passed all inspections and is ready for utility hook-up and occupancy. |
| Code Compliant | Being in accordance with the codes established by building officials and others with first-hand knowledge of construction practices, which govern the requirements for construction in a given area. Codes may vary depending on the structure being built [i.e. commercial, residential, multi-family, etc.] and the area in which they are built. |
| Collar Ties | Nominal 1 or 2 inch thick members connecting opposite roof rafters. Generally two inch members joining opposite roof rafters to strengthen the roof structure. |
| Column | A compression member, vertical or nearly vertical, the width of which does not exceed four times its thickness and the height of which exceeds four times its least lateral dimension. |
| Column Footing | Concrete footings reinforced with steel pads or un-reinforced; used as supports for columns which in turn carry the load of beams which serve as supports for the superstructure of a building. |
| Concrete | A composite material which consists essentially of a binding medium within which are embedded particles or fragments of aggregate, Portland cement, and water. When set it attains hardness and strength similar to stone. |
| Concrete Footing | Continuous 8" or 10" thick concrete pad installed at the base of foundation walls, columns and piers to help distribute the weight of the home over a larger area. |
| Contingency Date | A revised or alternate date for a specific task or delivery that must change due to unforeseen circumstances. |
| Continuous Vapor Barrier | A building product installed on exterior walls and ceilings under the drywall and on the warm side of the insulation. It is used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation within them. Normally, polyethylene plastic sheeting is used. |
| Copper Flashing | A thin layer of copper installed on the home to prevent water penetration. These may be located at the intersection of the chimney and the roof or around windows. |
| Corian | Corian is the registered trademark of one of many building materials collectively known as solid surface and is composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate made by DuPont. Usually work surfaces are fabricated to 38mm in thickness this consists of the 12.7mm corian with a 25mm sub-frame. All thicknesses feature the consistency of color and patterning throughout, common to all solid surfacing materials. Commonly used for kitchen counters, work tops, or vanity tops in bathrooms. |
| Cornice | Projection at the top of a wall; a term applied to construction under the eaves or where the roof and side walls meet; the top course, or courses, of a wall when treated as a crowning member. |
| Countertops | Post Form, Plastic Laminate, Corian, Silestone, Granite |
| Cove | A concave molding, the curved junction between a ceiling and a sidewall. |
| Cove Base | Made of vinyl, rubber, tile and/or metal in a variety of heights and shapes for a wide range of sheet goods and tile installations. |
| Crane | A lifting machine equipped with a winder, wire ropes or chains and sheaves that can be used both to lift and lower the modular units and materials and to move them horizontally. |
| Crane Pad | A level pad of graded and compacted fill dirt or stone located close to a foundation for the purpose of locating a crane. The size of a crane pad is determined by the size and type of a crane. |
| Crawl Space | In cases where buildings have no basements, the space between the first floor and the surface of the ground; large enough for a man to crawl through for repairs and installation of utilities. Also called a crawl way. |
| Cricket | When two different roof pitches meet, a second roof is built on top of the primary roof to create a valley. This helps water drain. |
| Cross Bracing | Diagonal bracing between adjacent floor joists, placed near the center of the joist span to prevent joists from twisting. |
| Crown Molding | A molding used above eye level; usually the corner molding under the roof overhang or at the wall/ceiling connection on the interior. |
| Cultured Marble | A manufactured marble-like material commonly used for countertops and lavatory surfaces. It is water resistant, normally much lighter weight and less expensive than quarry stone. |
| Custom Modular Design | The process and production of designing a particular set of modular floor plans, elevations and construction documents, specific to the needs of the owner. |
| Customized Specifications | Build specifications according to specific state and local codes, including all specific upgrades and options. |
| Dampproofing | The black, tar like waterproofing material applied to the exterior of a foundation wall. |
| Deck, decked | To install the plywood or wafer board sheeting on the floor joists, rafters, or trusses. |
| Decking | An exterior floor system generally above grade. |
| Dedicated Circuit | An electrical circuit that serves only one appliance (i.e., dishwasher) or a series of electric heaters or smoke detectors. |
| Delivery Date | The date when the modular units leave the factory by truck and arrive at the site location for the future set. |
| Demolition Permit | Authorization to tear down and remove an existing structure. |
| Design Center | A section of our website that has information on upgrades, catalog and cut sheets, links to suppliers, product selections, available upgrades and standard products. |
| Direct Shipment | A service that offers design, engineering, manufacturing, and shipping of modular units. They are priced with cost associated with the modular units, shipping/freight charges, set crane expenses and set crew fees. A Direct Shipment can be limited to 2 or more of these items or can be expanded to include other task components. |
| Dog House Dormer | Gable fronted dormer: the front of the dormer rises to a point at the ridge of the dormer roof. |
| Door Hardware | Refers to any of the items that are attached to a door or a drawer to enhance its functionality or appearance. |
| Door Jamb, Interior Doors | The case installed in a doorway in 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. |
| Door stop | A piece of wood or some other material that is attached to the doorjamb to keep the door from swinging all the way through the jamb when closing. |
| Dormer | A Peak in the roof, also can be called gables. |
| Double Glass | Window or door in which two panes of glass have a sealed air space between the panes. Insulates the home from outside temperatures as well as noise. |
| Double Hung Window | A type of window containing two movable sash sections which slide vertically in one frame. Both sashes are able to move independent of each other up and down. |
| Down Spout | A vertical pipe used to drain rainwater from a roof. |
| Drip Cap | A molding placed on the exterior top part of a door or window to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame. |
| Drop Ceiling | A false or lowered ceiling, typically a T-Bar system. |
| Drywall | A wall constructed of material which is put in place without the use of plaster. Pre-formed sheets such as gypsum wallboard. |
| Drywells | An underground structure that disposes of unwanted water, most commonly storm water runoff, by dissipating it into the ground, where it merges with the local groundwater. |
| Dual-Duct System | An HVAC system using two ducts, one for supply and one for return air. The air from these ducts is blended in mixing boxes before distribution to each location. |
| Duct, Ductwork | 1. In post-tensioning, a hole made in a post-tensioned member to
accommodate a tendon. 2. In a building, usually round or rectangular metal or insulated pipe for distributing conditioned air to rooms from a conditioning device. |
| Dura Board, Dura Rock | A panel made out of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a ceramic tile backing material. Commonly used on bathtub decks. Sometimes called Wonder board. |
| 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 neighbors property. |
| Eave Flip | A roof component attached by hinges to the edge of a shipped roof assembly, which is then flipped down and fastened to the side-wall to form the roof eaves. |
| Eaves | The horizontal part of a roof that extends beyond the exterior wall |
| Egress | A means of exiting the home. Building codes generally determine the egress requirements for homes and other building structures |
| Electrical Panel Box | The electrical box located on the wall where the incoming electrical service is connected and then distributed throughout the building. |
| Electrical Permit | A separate permit required for most electrical work. |
| Electrical Tie-ins | The hook up of the electrical panel and wiring of the modular units to the existing electrical systems and source. |
| Electrical Underwriter's Certificate | A third party electrical inspection certificate accepted by most building departments. |
| Elevations | A detailed architectural drawing. The elevation provides a flat view of any exterior side of a home or a view of a single wall in a room. An elevation shows no depth. |
| Energy Star Modular Homes | Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products. First created as a United States government program in 1992. Devices carrying the Energy Star logo, such as kitchen appliances, buildings and other products, save 20%-30% on average. Energy Star Modular Homes makes use of many Energy Star products and green building practices. Signature Building Systems offers certified Energy Star building practices to their modular homes. |
| Engagement Fee | A deposit required to engage the services required to produce customized modular floor plans and elevations. |
| Erosion Control Measures | The practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in construction. This usually involves the creation of some sort of physical barrier, such as vegetation or rock, to absorb some of the energy of the wind or water that is causing the erosion. Effective erosion controls are important techniques in preventing water pollution and soil loss. They are often implemented in conjunction with sediment controls such as sediment basins and silt fences. |
| Estimate | The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project. |
| Excavation | The process of clearing and digging in preparation for the modular. This consists of the foundation, utilities and creating access for necessary equipment for delivery. This includes ditches for water, sewer lines, water, optional electric and telephone connections. The hole is dug out with space to place the foundation, drainage pipes and utilities. Necessary underground connections are dug by the use of a backhoe. If ledge (massive rock) cannot be cleared through conventional means, an expensive method of blasting needs to be employed. The alternative to a full basement can be an above ground basement, crawl space or a partial basement. A lot can be accomplished with clean fill but that can increase your capital expenditure. |
| Exclusions | Items of labor and/or material that are not included in the scope of work listed in the contractor's bid proposal or contract. |
| Exterior Door Types | Swing Door, Terrace Door, Sliding Glass Door, French Doors |
| Exterior Floodlight | An artificial light hung on the outside of a home providing even illumination across a wide area. |
| Exterior G.F.I. Outlet | [Ground Circuit Interrupter] An outlet located on the outside of a house or building, housed in a plastic waterproof box. They utilize a plug that is designed to shut off all electric current. Has a small reset button on the plug |
| Exterior Wall | Any outside wall or vertical enclosure of a building other than a party wall. |
| Factory Standards | Standard specifications designed for standard factory floor plans, usually designed for 90 mph wind zones and below. |
| Fascia | Material attached along the gable line of a home or other building structure. They may be made of aluminum, metal, wood, vinyl or a composite. Drainage gutters are normally attached to the fascia. |
| Fasteners | hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. |
| Felt Paper | Tar paper. Installed under the roof shingles. Normally 15 lb. or 30 lb. |
| Field Measure | To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints. |
| Fill | Soil or other materials used to raise grade |
| Filler Strips for Walls & Floors | An open section of wall [about 12" wide] where two modular units are joined together. This space is then filled with insulation, sheathing, or sheetrock, and finished with tape an spackle. |
| Final Grading | Grade, in this case, refers to the landscaping of the house site and soil elevations. When establishing the final grade of the home, it's important to make sure that water will move down and away from the foundation and exit the lot to an approved storm drain system. |
| Final Inspection | The last inspection required by building dept to ensure code compliance usually separate from electrical and plumbing inspections. A final inspection is usually required to obtain a certificate of occupancy. |
| Final Survey | A survey produced by a licensed surveyor showing the lot with all completed structures, septic systems, drywells and water mains. |
| Finish Work | Finish work is where all the trades finish up after the buttoning up process. This entails all the detailed work required to finish the modular home. |
| Fire Door | A metal sheathed door that will resist fire, often held from sliding shut by a fusible link. Doors designed to resist standard fire tests and labeled for identification. |
| Fire Proofing | Any material or combination of materials built to protect structural members so as to increase their fire resistance. |
| Fire Rated Flame Spread Classification | A standard test rating of fire resistive and protective characteristics of a building material. |
| Fire Stop | A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See also 'Fire block'. |
| Fire Wall | Any wall which subdivides a building to resist the spread of fire and which extends continuously from the foundation through the roof. |
| Fireplace & Metalbestos Flues | A large sheet of metal that is installed around and perpendicular to the fireplace flue pipe. It's purpose is to confine and limit the spread of fire and smoke to a small area. |
| Flakeboard | A manufactured wood panel made out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing. Also called OSB or wafer board. |
| Flanking Window | A window set beside an outside door which is often used to light a hallway. Also called "door lights". |
| Flashing | Thin metal, plastic or rubber installed on the home to prevent water penetration. These may be located at the intersection of the chimney and the roof or around windows. Flashing material is also used for valleys at roof intersections. |
| Flat Roof | A roof having only minimal slope for drainage. |
| Flitch Plate Beam | A flitch beam (or flitched beam) is a compound beam used in the construction of houses, decks, and other primarily wood-frame structures. Typically the flitch beam is made up of a steel plate sandwiched between two wood beams, the three layers being held together with bolts. In that common form it is sometimes referenced as a steel flitch beam. Further alternating layers of wood and steel can be used to produce an even stronger beam. The metal plate(s) within the beam are known as flitch plates |
| Floor Decking | Sheathing made of plywood or OSB, installed over the floor joists, creating a sub floor. |
| Floor Joist | The horizontal framing members that support the floor. |
| Floor Plan | Drawing of a home that shows the layout as if viewing from above. |
| Flooring [Finished Flooring] | Carpet, tile, vinyl, hardwood flooring or other flooring product applied over the sub floor or decking in a room or bath. |
| 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. |
| Fluorescent Lighting | A light source in which light is produced by a fluorescent power, phosphor coated on the inner surface of a glass tube. A mercury vapor arc between electrodes sealed into each end of the tube generates ultra-violet radiation which is changed by the phosphor into visible light. |
| Flush Door | A door, any size not paneled, having two flat surfaces; flush-doors are frequently of various types of hollow core construction. |
| Folding Door | The assembly of two or more hinged leaves which, when straightened in a line, can close the opening. |
| Footing | Continuous 8" or 10" thick concrete pad installed at the base of foundation walls, columns and piers to help distribute the weight of the home over a larger area. |
| Footing Drains | 3" or 4" perforated plastic pipe that goes around the perimeter (either inside or outside) of a foundation wall (before backfill) and collects and diverts ground water away from the foundation. Generally, it is "daylighted" into a sump pit inside the home, and a sump pump is sometimes inserted into the pit to discharge any accumulation of water. |
| Footing Inspection | An inspection of the footings, performed by a certified building inspector, to assure compliance with the plans and to check workmanship as well as code compliance, |
| Forced Hot Air Heating | Is one which uses air as its heat transfer medium. These systems use ductwork and vents as a means of air distribution. The return plenum carries the air from several large return grills (vents) to a central air handler for re-heating. The supply plenum directs heated air from the central unit to the rooms which the system is designed to heat. Regardless of type, all air handlers consist of an air filter, blower, heat exchanger/element/coil, and various controls. Like any other kind of central heating system, thermostats are used to control forced air heating systems. |
| Form | Temporary structure erected to contain concrete during placing and initial hardening. |
| Formica | The trade name for a hard durable plastic laminated sheeting used for table, sink and countertops or for wall covering; resistant to heat and chemicals. |
| Foundation | A foundation is a structure that transfers loads to the earth. Shallow foundations, such as crawlspaces, are usually embedded a meter or so into soil. One common type is the spread footing which consists of strips or pads of concrete (or other materials) which extend below the frost line and transfer the weight from walls and columns to the soil or bedrock. A deeper foundation, such as a basement, will extend further into a deeper layer of soil. |
| Foundation Drain System | see footing drains |
| Foundation Inspection | An inspection of the foundation of a house or building, performed by a certified building inspector, to assure compliance with the plans and to check workmanship as well as code compliance, |
| Foundation Plan | The design and drawing of a foundation by an architect or engineer to have an adequate load capacity with limited settlement. |
| Foundation Stake Out | Marking the perimeter of a foundation, typically with wooden stakes, by a licensed surveyor, for the purpose of clearing or excavation. |
| Foundation ties | Metal wires that hold the foundation wall panels and rebar in place during the concrete pour. |
| Foundation Wall | A wall below the floor nearest grade serving as a support for a wall, pier, column or other structural part of the building. |
| Foundation Waterproofing | High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion. Normally looks like black tar. |
| Foyer | A subordinate space between an entrance and the main interior. |
| French Door | A hinged door or pair of doors almost completely glass. Also called a "Casement Door". |
| Frost Free Hose Bibs | A water faucet located on the exterior of a home designed night to ice up. |
| Frost Line | The greatest depth to which ground material may be expected to freeze. The frost line varies by geographic location. |
| Furnace | A major appliance that is permanently installed to provide heat to an interior space through intermediary fluid movement, which may be air, steam, or hot water. |
| Furring strips | Strips of wood, often 1 X 2 and used to shim out and provide a level fastening surface for a wall or ceiling. |
| Gable End | The end wall of a home that extends from the eaves to the peak of the roof, normally it is triangular in shape. |
| Gable Fronted Dormer | the front of the dormer rises to a point at the ridge of the dormer roof. Also known as a dog-house dormer. |
| Gable Roof | A ridged roof which terminates either at one end or both ends in a gable. The end of a ridged roof which, at its extremity, is not returned on itself but is cut off in a vertical plane which above the eaves is triangular in shape due to the slope of the roof. |
| Gambrel Roof | A type of roof which has its slope broken by an obtuse angle, so that the lower slope is steeper than the upper slope; a roof with two pitches. |
| Geothermal Heating | Geothermal Heating refers to the heating and cooling that can be achieved through the use of a geothermal heat pump. This technique is generally for residential use. It involves a refrigerant liquid being pumped through pipes in the ground, heating the liquid. This liquid then is brought back into the house, and the heat exchanged. The same technique is used to cool the house. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the natural constant temperature of the earth. During winter when the ground temperature is warmer than the air above it, geothermal heat pumps use the earth’s soil (or groundwater) to recover the earth’s heat. In contrast, an air-source heat pump will remove heat from the cold outside air and thus requires more energy. In the summer months, geothermal heat pumps deliver heat to the same relatively cool soil (or groundwater) rather than delivering it to the hot outside air. As a result, the heat is pumped over a smaller temperature difference with a geothermal heat pump and this leads to higher efficiency and lower energy use. |
| GFI Receptacles | [Ground Circuit Interrupter] An outlet used in "wet areas" like the kitchen and bath. They utilize a plug that is designed to shut off all electric current. Has a small reset button on the plug |
| 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). |
| Go Green or Green Building | The practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal. |
| Grab Bar | A short length of metal or plastic bar attached to a wall in a bathroom, near a toilet, in a shower or above a bathtub. |
| Grade | 1. The slope of a road, channel or natural ground. 2. The ground level around a building. |
| Grading Plan | A grading plan is often prepared by a civil engineer. Specific techniques that may be included in the grading plan are creating swales to divert ground water, grading slopes that move water away from the foundation, as well as an accurate plan for how much soil will need to be removed from the site, or how much fill added. |
| Grills [windows] | see muntin |
| Gutter | A shallow channel or conduit of metal or wood set below the roof plane and along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off rainwater. |
| Gypsum Plasterboard | A common building material made with a core of gypsum or anhydrite plaster usually enclosed between two sheets of heavy paper. Primarily used for sheeting interior walls. |
| Hard Wired | An electrical connection running directly to the power mains. |
| Header | (a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. (c) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for example over a door or window). |
| Hearth | The fireproof area directly in front of a fireplace. The inner or outer floor of a fireplace, usually made of brick, tile, or stone. |
| High End Specification Package | A customized specification package including upgraded specification for most line items focused on, but not limited to, structural, material, window and upgrades. |
| Hip Roof | A roof which rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. The line where two adjacent sloping sides of a roof meet is called the hip. |
| Hollow Core Door | A flush door in which plywood or hardwood for both faces is glued to a skeleton framework. It is lighter and less expensive than a solid door. |
| Hollow Metal Door | A hollow-core door constructed of channel-reinforced sheet metal usually 18ga. The core may be filled with some type of lightweight material. |
| Hose Bib | A water faucet located on the exterior of a home. |
| Hot Water Heater | An appliances for providing a more-or-less constant supply of hot water. |
| Hurricane Straps | Metal straps that are nailed and secure the roof rafters and trusses to the top horizontal wall plate. Sometimes called a Teco clip. |
| HVAC | An abbreviated term for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning |
| I-beam | A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings, such as a double garage door, when wall and roof loads bear down on the opening. |
| Ice and Water Barrier | A self-adhering roofing underlayment that is made of a waterproof membrane and is applied under shingles to prevent the penetration of water elements. |
| Incandescent Lighting | A light source consisting of a glass bulb containing a filament in a vacuum that may be kept incandescent by the transmission of an electric current. |
| Inspections | Examination of work completed by an expert on any process or element of construction to determine compliance with code requirements. |
| Insulation | Any material used in construction to resist heat loss, protect against sound transmission or fire; also used to cover electrical conductors. |
| Interior Moldings | Casing, Baseboard, Window Sills |
| Interior Studs | see studs |
| J Channel | Metal edging used on drywall to give the edge a better finished appearance when a wall is not "wrapped" Generally, basement stairway walls have drywall only on the stair side. J Channel is used on the vertical edge of the last drywall sheet |
| Jack Post | A type of structural support made of metal, which can be raised or lowered through a series of pins and a screw to meet the height required. Basically used as a replacement for an old supporting member in a building. See Monopost. |
| Jack Rafter | A rafter that spans the distance from the wall plate to a hip, or from a valley to a ridge. |
| Joint | The location between the touching surfaces of two members or components joined and held together by nails, glue, cement, mortar, or other means. |
| Joist | Horizontal support member-commonly perpendicular to length of unit. |
| Joist hanger | A metal "U" shaped item used to support the end of a floor joist and attached with hardened nails to another bearing joist or beam. |
| Jump Duct | HVAC ducting used to connect individual room to main area to transfer return air-eliminates need for return air duct to individual rooms. |
| Junction Box | J-Box is used to contain electrical switches, receptacles and connections |
| Keyway | A slot formed and poured on a footer or in a foundation wall when another wall will be installed at the slot location. This gives additional strength to the joint/meeting point. |
| King Post | An individual vertical framing member used to transfer the roof load from the roof assembly to the marriage wall. Multiple king posts in sequence make up a "king wall". |
| King Wall | A roof framing assembly used to transfer the roof load from the roof assembly to the marriage wall. |
| Knee Wall | A vertical roof framing assembly that defines the limits of a living space to the eaves on a cape-style house. It also functions as a means to transfer partial load from the roof rafters to floor joist members below. |
| Kraft | A type of paper used in insulation backing and roofing that protects against condensation |
| Lally Columns | Steel or treated wood support columns located at the marriage wall between two modules and fastened to the bottom of the center support beams of the installed modules. The bottoms are encased in a concrete foundation slab or may be bolted to the slab. Specifications on the location of lally columns are provided in the manufacturer's blueprints. |
| Laminated Wood | A piece of wood built up of laminations that have been joined either with glue or mechanical fastenings. |
| Landing | A platform used in stairs often when stair run changes directions. |
| Lap Siding | (Clapboard) The finish siding on the exterior of a building. It is usually manufactured by dry square-surfaced boards diagonally to produce two wedge shaped places. These pieces commonly run from 3/16 inch thick on the thin edge to 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick on the other edge, depending on the width of the siding. |
| Lighting Outlet | Connection to branch circuit, made in a protective box, to which a light fixture or lamp holder is directly attached or from which wires are extended to fixtures. |
| Load-Bearing Wall | Any wall which bears its own weight and the transferred load of other adjacent structural systems; part of the load path in a structural system. |
| Local Building Official | |
| Lock Set | A complete system including all the mechanical parts and accessories of a lock, such as knobs, reinforcing plates and protective escutcheons. |
| Louver | A vented opening into the home that has a series of horizontal slats and arranged to permit ventilation but to exclude rain, snow, light, insects, or other living creatures. |
| LVL Beam | [Laminated Veneer Lumber] A structural beam composed of wood laminates. They are pressure bonded with adhesives to attain a high integrity structural beam. |
| Main Disconnect | A mechanical means of completely shutting off electrical service to the entire building. |
| Mansard | A decorative facade, usually highly pitched frame attached at the eave line of a building. |
| Mansard Roof | A roof with two slopes or pitches on each of the four sides, the lower slopes steeper than the upper. |
| Manufactured Lumber | A wood product such as a truss, beam, gluelam, microlam or joist which is manufactured out of smaller wood pieces and glued or mechanically fastened to form a larger piece. Often used to create a stronger member which may use less wood. See also Oriented Strand Board. |
| Marriage Line | A plane or center line through either the length or width of a foundation that defines the location where two modules meet. Also referred to as a "mate line". |
| Marriage Wall | The assembly that defines the side of one module which contacts another module, usually along the center line of the length of the home. Also referred to as a "mate wall". |
| Masonite | A brand name for a hardboard product having a variety of uses such as roofing, siding, paneling and door skins. |
| Masonry | Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other similar building units or materials. Normally bonded together with mortar to form a wall. |
| Mate Wall | see "Marriage Wall" |
| Mating Beam | The beam on top of the mating wall for support of the roof system, or the beam in the floor system for mating of the two floors. |
| Mechanical Systems | General term for plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical systems. |
| Mending Plate | Metal plates or straps used to connect opposing marriage wall studs, usually along archway or door openings. |
| Metal Clad Fire Door | A flush door with a wood core or a heat insulating material covered with sheet metal. |
| Metal Joist Hanger | see joist hanger |
| Micro Lam | A manufactured structural wood beam. It is constructed of pressure and adhesive bonded wood strands of wood. They have a higher strength rating than solid sawn lumber. Normally comes in l ½" thickness' and 9 ½", 11 ½" and 14" widths |
| 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. |
| Modular Building | A system of building construction where individual sections of the building are manufactured off-site in factories then transported to the final building site. Minor finish work is completed and the building sections are connected to the ground and utilities. Modular buildings range in size from single sections to hundred unit complexes and can utilize temporary or permanent foundation systems. |
| Modular Manufacturer | An entity that builds modular building components in a controlled environment, using an assembly line process. This building process has many advantages for builders as well as home buyers. |
| Modular Plans | Engineered plans that make optimal use of modular construction utilizing economy of box sizes, mating walls and other key aspects of modular manufacturing. |
| Modularize | A term in the modular building trade referring to the conversion of traditional stick-build plans to modular plans. |
| Module | A single assembly, which when combined with other assemblies comprise a residential or commercial structure. Also referred to as a "box". |
| Module | Single unit of multi unit building; the largest section which can be transported. |
| Molding | An ornamental strip of material used at joints, cornices, bases, door and window trim, and most commonly made of wood, plaster, plastic or metal. |
| Moment Frame | Steel frame to support roof of building independent of exterior walls using steel columns on each of the four corners of module. The sheer stress is transferred to welded joists between vertical and horizontal frame members. Common in DSA buildings and used in conjunction with clear span trusses. |
| Monopost | Adjustable metal column used to support a beam or bearing point. Normally 11 gauge or Schedule 40 metal, and determined by the structural engineer |
| Mudsill | Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called sill plate. Also sole plate, bottom member of interior wall frame. |
| Mullion | A vertical divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings. |
| Multi Family | a multifamily house is a freestanding building composed of from two to four separate living units, with each unit having its own bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom facilities. Some are structured with all of the units on a single ground level, while others may have one or more units on multiple floors. Still other types of multiplexes, as they're sometimes called, are made up of multi-floor units built side-by-side under one roof. These are commonly known as townhouses |
| Muntin | A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors. |
| New Construction | The process of building a new free standing structure, either residential or commercial, as opposed to an addition or renovation of an existing structure. |
| Newel post | The large starting post to which the end of a stair guard railing or balustrade is fastened. |
| Non-Bearing Wall | A wall which merely separates space into rooms but does not carry overhead partitions or floor joist loads. |
| Not in Contract [NIC] | A term used to note items excluded from a list of contracted material and or labor. |
| Notch | A crosswise groove at the end of a board. |
| Off Site Construction | Structures built at a different location than the location of use. Construction occurs in a manufacturing plant specifically designed for this type of process. Individual modules of the building are constructed in the factory then transported to the site on specially designed trailers. Concrete foundations are dug into the earth allowing the building to be set at grade level eliminating the need for ramps and stairs. Once on site, the building will be installed onto a permanent foundation by fastening it to the ground and to other modules and covering and sealing the seams. These buildings meet all applicable building codes and are indistinguishable from traditional site built construction. |
| On Center [OC] | A measurement for spacing studs, rafters and joists. i.e. studs placed at 16" O.C. will be laid out so that there is 16" from the center of one stud to the center of the next. |
| On Site Work / On Site Finishes | Any work that is not performed in the factory. Such finish work may consist of tape and spackle along mating walls, the tying in of plumbing and electric from box to box as well as to the property, installation of tile, appliances or finished flooring. |
| On-Line Date | The date the factory begins to build the modules [boxes] for a particular project, residential or commercial |
| Open Web Floor Joist | Lightweight, shop-fabricated steel or wood members having a trussed web running in a zigzag pattern between the upper and lower chords. Heavier web and chord members can carry increased loads and spans. |
| Operable Window | A window that may be opened and shut to accommodate ventilation needs, as opposed to a fixed light or fixed sash. |
| Options | A choice or selection of a service, material, or upgrade to a standard provided. |
| OSB [Oriented Strand Board] | Oriented Strand Board is an engineered wood product formed by layering strands (flakes) of wood in specific orientations. In appearance it may have a rough and variegated surface with the individual strips (approx. 1" by 6") lying unevenly across each other. OSB panels have no internal gaps or voids, and are water-resistant. The most common uses are as sheathing in walls, floors, and roofs. |
| OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration - The federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing construction safety practices. |
| Outrigger Frame | Chassis longitude (length) frame rails located inboard of tires (primarily used on commercial units designed to be moved more than once). |
| Overhang | The projecting area of a roof or upper story beyond the plane of the lower wall. |
| P trap | Curved, "U" section of drain pipe that holds a water seal to prevent sewer gasses from entering the home through a fixtures water drain. |
| Panel Box | The electrical box located on the wall where the incoming electrical service is connected and then distributed throughout the building. |
| Panel Doors [6 Panel] | A door which consists of raised or indented panels. Also referred to as a "colonial door". |
| Panic Hardware | A door locking assembly that can be released quickly by pressure on a horizontal bar. |
| Parapet | A protective low wall along the edge of a roof. That portion of any wall which extends above the roof line. |
| Particle Board | A composition board consisting of distinct particles of wood bonded together with a synthetic resin or other added binder. |
| Partition Wall | Interior walls used to define or create spaces such as rooms, closets, etc. Normally non-load bearing. |
| Payment Schedule | A pre-agreed upon schedule of payments to a contractor usually based upon the amount of work completed. Such a schedule may include a deposit prior to the start of work. |
| Peaked Roof | A roof rising either to a point or ridge. |
| Pedestal Sink | A sink bowl attached to a base leg without a cabinet |
| Perc Test | Percolation Test - A soil test performed by a soil engineer to determine if the soil on a proposed building lot is capable of handling the discharge from a septic system. The results from this test dictate the best location for septic fields as well as the size of a septic system |
| Permit | A certificate granted by a local government agency permitting construction to be performed within the criteria of the local codes. Permits must be obtained before work begins and each agency granting permits must inspect the work at specified points of construction. |
| Pex Line | A flexible pipe which is used for hot and cold water lines. There are many benefits to Pex line or pipe; it is generally quieter than rigid pipe systems, less likely to have scale buildup, and is more withstanding in freezing temperatures than rigid pipes. |
| Photovoltaic Panels | (Also known as: PV panels) Photovoltaic cells grouped together to produce electricity from solar energy. |
| Pick Points | Points marked along the outside sill plates of a module where modules may be lifted without detrimental effect to the structures. |
| Pier | A solid support of masonry construction. |
| Pitch | The incline angle of a roof surface, given as a ratio of the rise (in inches) to the run (in feet). See also slope. |
| Pitched Roof | The most common type of roof, usually with slopes of more than 2 in 12 vertical to horizontal. |
| Plastic Laminate | A hard surfacing material consisting of superposed layers of Kraft paper, foil, printed paper, wood veneer, or fabric impregnated with melamine and phenolic resins, fused together under heat and pressure. Plastic laminates provide a durable, heat and water resistant surface covering for countertops. |
| 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. |
| Plumb | Exactly vertical and perpendicular. |
| Plumbing Inspection | An inspection done by an authorized town plumbing inspector to verify accordance with local codes. |
| Plumbing Permit | A separate permit required for new plumbing and larger modifications of existing plumbing systems. |
| Plumbing Tie-ins | The hook up of the plumbing in the modular units to the existing septic or sewer system. |
| Plywood | A fabricated wood product constructed of three or more layers of veneer joined with glue, usually laid with grain of adjoining piles at right angles. |
| Pocket Door | Door slides on an overhead track into and out of a recess within the width of a wall. Often used where a normal door swing would interfere with the use of a space. |
| Point Load | A point where a bearing/structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation. |
| Post | A vertical framing member usually designed to carry a beam. Often a 4" x 4", a 6" x 6", or a metal pipe with a flat plate on top and bottom. |
| Prefabricated Buildings | Structures consisting of sections constructed in a location different than final use. Components can include panel systems, manufactured building sections and modular units. |
| Pre-Hung Door | A packaged unit consisting of a finished door mounted in a frame. |
| Pressure-treated wood | Lumber that has been saturated with a preservative. |
| Primer | The first, base coat of paint when a paint job consists of two or more coats. A first coating formulated to seal raw surfaces and holding succeeding finish coats. |
| Property survey | A survey to determine the boundaries of your property. The cost depends on the complexity of the survey. |
| Proposal | An offering of price for a specific set of plans, build specifications, and any and all chosen options. The proposal includes any and all exhibits, appendixes, and notes of explanation attached to such. A proposal is accepted by the signatures of both the seller as well as the buyer. |
| Pull Down Stairs | see Attic Pull Down Stairs |
| Punch List | A list of discrepancies that need to be corrected by the contractor. |
| PVC Pipe or Conduit | Poly Vinyl Chloride - A type of white or light gray plastic pipe sometimes used for water supply lines and waste pipe. |
| Quarter Round | A small trim molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle. |
| Rabbet | A rectangular longitudinal groove cut in the corner edge of a board or plank. |
| Radiant Heat System | (In Floor System) System in which heated fluid is circulated through tubes or passages embedded below surface of floor to indirectly warm building. Most efficient with concrete floors. |
| Rafter | Lumber used to support the roof sheathing and roof loads. Generally, 2 X 10's and 2 X 12's are used. The rafters of a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists. |
| Rail | Cross members of panel doors or of a sash. Also, a wall or open balustrade placed at the edge of a staircase, walkway bridge, or elevated surface to prevent people from falling off. Any relatively lightweight horizontal element, especially those found in fences (split rail). |
| Raised Roof | Abrupt transition of roof from a given height to an increased height. |
| Ranch | A single story, one level home |
| Rebar [Reinforcing Bar] | Ribbed steel bars installed in foundation concrete walls, footers, and poured in place concrete structures designed to strengthen concrete. Comes in various thickness' and strength grade. |
| 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 Lights | A lamp fixture which has its bottom edge flush with the ceiling. |
| Recessed Moisture Resistant Ceiling Light | A light fixture which has its bottom edge flush with the ceiling and covered with moister resistant glass primarily used in showers. |
| Register | The appliance at the end of a duct for incoming or escaping air, sometimes used to direct airflow or control the volume of air passing through it. |
| Reinforced Wire Mesh | Steel reinforcing bar in a web like pattern installed in foundation floors and slabs. |
| Res Check | An EAM generated REScheck Report supports a new residential dwelling unit’s compliance with the Model Energy Code (MEC), and/or the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Our client’s have found that state, county, city and municipal code officials find that EAM generated reports simplify their compliance process, and allow them to quickly determine if a covered residence meets the energy code. |
| Retaining Wall | A structure that holds back a slope and prevents erosion. |
| Return Air Duct | Ducts through which the cold air or return air passes on its way back to the heating or cooling unit. |
| Ridge | The highest point on the roof or the highest point where more than one roof plane comes together. |
| Ridge Cap | The finishing touch on a gable roof system. It can be made of composition roofing or metal and extends the length of the building, folding over the two sides of the ridge. |
| Ridge Flip | A roof component attached by hinges to the ridge of a shipped roof assembly, which is then flipped up from each module and fastened to each other to complete the roof ridge. |
| Ridge Vent | Located at the ridge of a roof system. It is a sheet metal or plastic configuration designed to allow the air within the roof system to vent. |
| Riser | Each of the vertical boards closing the spaces between the treads of stairways. |
| Road Permits | Permits issued by the Department of Transportation which may dictate the times of travel, the route taken, and the necessity of escort, either by police or lead/chase cars. |
| Roll Roofing | Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form. 36-inch wide rolls with and 108 square feet of material. Weights are generally 45 to 90 pounds per roll. |
| Romex | A name brand of nonmetallic sheathed electrical cable that is used for indoor wiring. |
| Roof Cap | A roof system built within the factory, shipped by carrier to the site, lifted by crane, and set upon the house in one section. |
| Roof Joist | The rafters of a flat roof. Lumber used to support the roof sheeting and roof loads. Generally, 2 X 10's and 2 X 12's are used. |
| Roof Overhang | A roof extension beyond the end wall/sidewall of a building. |
| Roof Pitch | The slope of a roof expressed as the ratio of the rise of the roof to the horizontal span. The angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal. Usually expressed in units of vertical rise to 12 units of horizontal run. |
| Roof Rafters | A structural member, a type of beam, which supports the roof of a building. In home construction, rafters are typically made of wood. Rafters are used to frame the pitch of a roof |
| Roof Sheathing | The wood panels or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters or trusses on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid. |
| Roof Shingle | see Shingle |
| Roof System | The roof system functions as the primary sheltering element for the interior spaces of a building. The form and slope of a roof must be compatible with the type of roofing, shingles, tiles or a continuous membrane, used to shed rainwater and melting snow to a system of drains, gutters, and downspouts. The roof system should also control the passage of moisture vapor, the infiltration of air, and the flow of heat and solar radiation. |
| Roof Ventilation | Available through gable vents, ridge vents or soffit vents; the act of allowing air to circulate within the roof or attic area. |
| Roofing Tiles | Steel, concrete, burnt-clay or asbestos-cement tiles for covering roofs. Tiles are of three general types: (a) plain tiles, (b) shingle-lap tiles, (c) Italian tiling or Spanish tiling. |
| Rough Grading | Backblading with a bulldozer to produce a leveling of the ground around a newly poured foundation. |
| Rough Opening | The horizontal and vertical measurement of a window or door opening before drywall or siding is installed. |
| R-Value or R-Factor | A measure of a construction materials' ability to retard the flow of heat. The rating of insulation material. The higher the R-value, the higher the ability to insulate. |
| Safety Glass | A laminate consisting of two or more sheets of flat glass, usually plate or sheet, with an intermediate layer of transparent plastic bonded together by a heat and pressure treatment. |
| Saltbox | A wooden frame house with a long, pitched roof that slopes down to the back. A saltbox has just one storey in the back and two stories in the front. |
| Sash | The framework which holds the glass in a window or door. |
| Septic Certificate | A certificate granted by a local government agency where code requires inspection and detailed account by an authorized professional stating the dimensions, capacity, and location of the septic design. |
| Septic Design | A plan drawn by a licensed septic contractor and approved by the local health department that shows the type and location of a septic tank and drain field on a piece of property. |
| Septic Permit | A health department authorization to build or modify a septic system. |
| Septic system | An on site waste water treatment system. It usually has a septic tank which promotes the biological digestion of the waste, and a drain field which is designed to let the left over liquid soak into the ground. Septic systems and permits are usually sized by the number of bedrooms in a house. |
| Service [Entrance] Equipment | Assembly or switches and switch-like devices which permit disconnecting all power, distributing it to various branch circuits through over current devices such as fuses or circuit breakers. Assembly of fuses or circuit breakers, with or without a disconnecting means, also is termed a distribution panel or panel board. |
| Service Box | Within a building a metal box located at the point where the electric service conductors enter the building. The spot in the building where the electricity is brought into the building from the local power distribution center. |
| Service Panel | Same as the panel box or panel board. |
| Set | Placing the modules in their pre assigned locations on the foundation. This is accomplished with an experienced well-coordinated set crew. The crew utilizes trailers, trucks, cranes |