Terminology: Construction Industry Terms

Many times our buyers of our custom homes would like to know more about construction methods and terms. I prepared the following to help understand some common terms. Ron

Terminology: Construction Industry Terms


Arc fault interrupter circuits (AFIC) - When an electrical short occurs, the AFIC interrupts the flow of current to electrical devices.

Door hardware: locksets, hinges, stops, and latches - Door knobs of various types: privacy (e.g., for bathrooms), passage (e.g., for closet or other areas not requiring privacy), dummies (e.g., for closets), and entry (usually operable by a key, sometimes with two locks).

Electrical devices: single pole and three pole switches (3 way) - Single pole switches are used to operate a device from only one place; three or triple pole switches permit turning on or off from more than one location.

Ground fault interrupter circuit (GFIC) - GFICs provide instantaneous stoppage of current flow. They are required by code for kitchens, baths, garages, and other places where water may be near electrical devices.

Header - A header is a horizontal load carrying member over wall, window, or door openings.

HVAC grills and registers - Heating, ventilation, and air conditiO:ning registers are typically openings that furnish air into rooms; grills are openings for return airs.

Jamb- A jamb is the side or top frame of a door or window.

Joist (floor & ceiling) - A joist is a horizontal structural member, often at 16" on center.

Load and non-load bearing walls - Load bearing walls are those present where there is occupied area above and over which structural members break or are spliced. These walls require additional structure if openings are made or enlarged. Non-load bearing walls can be interrupted without the need for shoring or adding structural members.

Plumb- Plumb is a term to mean "perfectly vertical."

Plumbing: supply, waste and vent lines - Supply lines are those carrying hot and cold water; waste lines are for sewage; and vent pipes are oriented vertically to allow downward flow of sewage.

Studs (jacks, trimmers, kings, cripples, plates) - A stud is a vertical wall board.

Subfloor and underlayment - A subfloor is a structural component of the flooring system designed to assist in carrying loads; underlayment is typically a leveling and/or smoothing layer. They are horizontal members typically glued and fastened to floor joists.

Threshold - The threshold is the bottom portion of a doorway, the member against which the door blank closes.