D

Deck: The surface, installed over the supporting framing members, to which the roofing is applied.

De-humidistat: A control mechanism used to operate a mechanical ventilation system based upon the relative humidity in the home.

Dimension lumber: Wood lumber that ranges from 2 inches thick up to, but not including, 5 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide. Includes joists, rafters, studs, and planks.

Designer: One who designs houses, interiors, landscaping or other objects. When used it the context of residential construction it usually suggests that a designer is not a licensed architect. Most jurisdictions don't require an architectural license for most single family construction.

Door header: A beam located over a door or window to carry or redirect any load from above the door to the side door studs.

Dormer: Any structure whose framing projects out of a sloping roof to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.

Double Hung Window: A window with two vertically sliding sashes. This is a very common older window design, was usually made out of wood and tends to require frequent repairs.

Double coverage: Application of asphalt roofing so that the lapped portion is at least 2 inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of roofing material over the deck.

Downspout: A pipe for draining water from roof gutters. Also called a leader.

Drip edge: A narrow preformed piece of sheet metal placed along the edge of a roof line so it overhangs the edge of the roof and allows water to be carried beyond the roof edge and drip directly to the ground.

Dry rot: A wood fungus that thrives in damp conditions and turns wood fibers into powder.

Drywall or Gypsum Wallboard (GWB) or Sheet rock or Plasterboard: A wall finish consisting of a manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually 1/2" thick and 4' x 8' or 4' x 12' in size. The panels are nailed or screwed onto the framing and the joints are taped and covered with a 'joint compound'. 'Green board' type drywall has a greater resistance to moisture than regular (white) plasterboard.

E

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.

Eaves: The horizontal overhang of the non-sloping edge of a roof beyond a vertical wall.

Eaves flashing: Additional layer of roofing material applied at the eaves to help prevent damage from water backup.

Edging strips: Boards nailed along eaves and rakes to provide secure edges for re-roofing with asphalt shingle after cutting back existing wood shingles.

Electrical entrance package: The entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the 'strike' or location where the overhead electrical lines connect to the house, (2) The meter which measures how much power is used and (3) The 'panel', 'circuit breaker box 'or 'fuse box' where the power can be shut off and overload devices such a fuses or circuit breakers and located.

Elongated bowl: Toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" wide by 18 1/2" long (from center of seat hinge holes to front outside rim edge).

Estimating: The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process.

Expansion joint: A joint that allows for expansion and contraction during temperature changes.

Exposed Aggregate: A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture of the top layer of the aggregate - usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

Exposed nail method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the cemented, overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the weather.

Exposure: The portion of the roofing exposed to the weather after installation.

F

Fascia: A vertical wood member, such as a cedar 1" x 6", which is nailed to the ends of the rafters and is often the backing of the gutter.

Feathering strips: Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butt edges of old wood shingles to create a level surface when re-roofing over existing wood shingle roofs. Also called "horse feathers."

Felt: Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper.

Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating: High-performance metallic reflective barrier for prepared roofing, metal surfaces and exterior masonry. Reflects sun's harmful rays, reduces energy costs in summer and winter while prolonging surface life.

Fibered  Foundation Coating: Combined application for this special medium-viscosity-grade fibered material. Use as a  foundation coating. High-performance metallic reflective barrier for prepared roofing, metal surfaces and exterior masonry. Reflects sun's harmful rays, reduces energy costs in summer and winter while prolonging surface life.

Fibered  Foundation Coating: Combined application for this special medium-viscosity-grade fibered material. Use as a  foundation coating. *Also see Foundation Coating*

Fibered Roof Coating: Optimal protection for low-sloped roofs. This thick, high-quality coating seals fine cracks and openings. Renews and rejuvenates old composition roofing and prolongs roof life. Also performs well on metal or concrete surfaces.

Fiberglass mat: An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers.

Fixed Price Contract: A contract with a set price for the work. See Time and Materials Contract.

Flapper: Also known as flush ball, the flapper is the moving part of the flush valve that seals the water into the tank or allows water to exit the tank for the flush cycle. This is the predominant replacement part used on conventional toilets.

Flashing: 1. Sheet metal or roll roofing pieces fitted to the joint of any roof intersection, penetration or projection (chimneys, copings, dormers, valleys, vent pipes, etc.) in order to prevent water leakage.  2. The building component used to connect portions of a roof, deck, or siding material to another surface such as a chimney, wall, or vent pipe. Often made out of various metals, rubber or tar and is mostly intended to prevent water entry.

Float ball: The floating ball connected to the Ball cock inside the tank, which rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off the Ball cock as needed.

Floor area: The total space covered by all floors in a building.  Length X width for total square footage.

Floor plan: A sketch of an existing or proposed building showing the design and layout of the building and the specifications of each room. May also show doors, windows, stairways and other features.

Fixed Price Contract: A contract with a set price for the work.

Footing: The rectangular concrete forms found under foundation walls, slabs or above piers. Footings support the weight of the object above it.

FOUNDATION: The supporting portion of a structure that includes everything below the first floor or below grade.

Foundation Coating: High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion.

Foundation Coating: High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion.

Frame construction: A style of construction where the load bearing structural supports of the building are make of wood framing.

FRAME WALL: Any structural wall made of studs with a bottom and top plate and some wall covering such as drywall, paneling or plaster.

Free-tab shingles: Shingles that do not contain factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive. See also self-sealing shingles.

Forced Air Heating: A common form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. Air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal plastic ducts to various areas of the house.

Framing: The structural wood and/or metal elements of most homes. The floor and ceiling framing is called the joist work. Wall framing is usually made out of 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" studs.

Frost line: The typical depth of frost penetration below the surface of the ground in any particular geographical location.

Fungal Wood Rot: A common wood destroying organism which develops when wood containing material is exposed to moisture and poor air circulation for a long (6 month +) period of time. Often and incorrectly referred to as dry rot.

Furring: Small strips of wood that are applied to a wall or other surface to act as a fastening piece for the finishing material.

Fuse: A device often found in older homes designed to prevent overloads in electrical lines - see 'circuit breakers'.

Compiled from multiple sources by: DLM Builders

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