Concrete- A mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water. Does construction lingo sound like a foreign language & make you feel overwhelmed at times? Diminished (dim): Contains a half step less than a minor or perfect interval. Scaffold- A temporary structure typically installed in order to provide access to elevated spaces. 2. electrical, side sewer, asbestos abatement. Wood may also be treated with a fire retardant. Trim – The finish materials in a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice, and other moldings). Glazing- The act of installing glass in windows, doors or fixed openings. Also, the physical work of installing interior doors and interior woodwork, to include all handrails, guardrails, stair way balustrades, mantles, light boxes, base, door casings, cabinets, countertops, shelves, window sills and aprons, etc. This puts the contractor in a position where they must carry out the work and provide pricing. RTU- A piece of mechanical equipment that is designed to heat, cool, ventilate by providing air flow for any combination of the three. You’re not alone! (2) All work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke. The panels are nailed or screwed onto the framing and the joints are taped and covered with a ‘joint compound’. Often used for the portions of a structure which are likely to be in contact with soil and water. These minerals can be used to make products strong, long-lasting and fire-resistant. Construction Terminology Cheat Sheet Planning Assignable Square Footage (ASF) Usable square footage within a physical space (measured from finished wall to finished wall). Gable– The end, upper, triangular area of a home, beneath the roof. Insulation – Any material high in resistance to heat transmission that, when placed in the walls, ceiling, or floors of a structure, and will reduce the rate of heat flow. Critical path- A sequence of stages where you figure out what the least amount of time is necessary to complete a task with the least amount of slack. Spanish For Dummies Cheat Sheet. Framing – Lumber used for the structural members of a building, such as studs, joists, and rafters. held together by nails, glue, cement, mortar, or other means. Also the designated quality of a manufactured piece of wood. Grade- Ground level, or the elevation at any given point. Often created at a 45° angle between two adjoining right-angled faces. Fan coil unit- A simple device consisting of a heating and/or cooling heat exchanger or ‘coil’ and fan. Roof decking – Plywood that goes on top of the rafters and under the roof. T-bar/suspended ceiling- A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing. Normally bonded together with mortar to form a wall. You’re not alone! Treated lumber- A wood product which has been impregnated with chemical pesticides such as CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) to reduce damage from wood rot or insects. Does construction lingo sound like a foreign language & make you feel overwhelmed at times? HVAC- An abbreviation for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Cripple- Short vertical framing member installed above or below an opening. If there are any others we’ve missed or that you’d like further clarification on, please reach out to us at [email protected]! By Susana Wald, Cecie Kraynak . looking straight at each of the sides (there is no perspective in this drawing). Fish tape- A long strip of spring steel used for pulling wires and cables through conduit or enclosed wall, ceiling or floor cavities. Egress- A means of exiting the home. 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. Clean out-  A capped opening providing access to a drain line, used to clear blockages. Shingles – Roof covering of asphalt. Rated wall- These walls range from fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, to smoke partitions. This guide will help you know what to expect and will give you the confidence to navigate this sometimes daunting process! Radiant panels- Wall and ceiling-mounted radiant panels typically made of aluminum and can be heated with either electricity or with tubing that carries hot water. Some of the specialty contractor licenses involve extensive training, testing and/or insurance requirements. Pigtail- The electrical cord installed on an appliance, or another name for an electrical splitter. Ducts– The heating system. Muntin- A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors. They can be perfectly good joints but will have no structural integrity on their own. Construction terms 101. Stacked bond- A method of laying brick or tile where all of the joints are in line and bricks/tile are stacked directly on top of one another. Q-deck- The term “Q-Deck” has become synonymous with many different types of decking much like the term ‘Kleenex’ has come to be known for any type of tissue paper. Closet- Fancy name for a specific purpose and allow heat to escape from the furnace to rooms in home. 2755 Broadmoor Blvd Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2W7 Red Deer College a water. Sewer easement might allow one party to use another party ’ s and... Wants to know what to expect and will give you the confidence navigate. 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