VISUAL DICTIONARYBy: Ryan SimsDevin Vickers

Air Barrier PaperAn external membrane applied to sheathing which acts as a

weather barrier and helps to prevent water from entering the house

Soffit VentAn opening under the eave of a roof, used to allow air to flow into the attic or the space below the roof sheathing.

Ridge VentA long, open assembly that allows air to circulate in and out

of a gable roof at the ridge.

Gable VentA screened, louvered opening in a gable, used for

exhausting excess heat and humidity from an attic.

Roof TurbineExhausts moist, hot air from your attic and pulls in cooler

air from the outside.

BackhoeAn excavator whose shovel bucket is attached to a hinged boom and is

drawn backward to move the earth. It helps you to dig holes on the jobsite.

Batter Boards

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A temporary frame built just outside the corner of an excavation to carry marks that lie on the surface planes of the basement that will be built in the excavation.

Brick Arch 1Segmented arch

Brick Arch 2Gothic arch with keystone

Centering

Brick Bond 1

Brick Bond 2Running bond- continuous row of stretchers with every

other row is offset ½ brick

Rowlocks

Headers

Soldiers

Stretcher Rowlocks

Sailor

Brick Size 1Utility- 3 ½” W x 3 ½” H x 11 ½” L

Brick Size 2King – 3” x 2 5/8” x 9 5/8”

BulldozerA bulldozer is a crawler (caterpillar tracked tractor), equipped with a

substantial metal plate (known as a blade), used to push large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, etc., during construction work.

Brick Cladding

EIFS Cladding

Stone Cladding

Wood Board Cladding

Wood Shakes CladdingWood Shake- small shingle split from a block of wood that

gives it a rough texture and uneven depthsWood Shingle- sawn shingle, more smoother and uniform;

also larger in size

Code Picture 1Code requirements- Riser height 7 ¾” maximum , tread

depth 10”nosing to nosing

Our measurements- 7 1/2 “ riser and 1’ tread

Code Picture 2Code requirements- minimum opening of 5.7 square feet(5

feet if sill is less than 44” off FFE). Opening width 20” minimum , and opening height 24” minimum

Our Measurements- 7.04 sq feet and 20 “ above FFE

Control JointAn intentional, linear discontinuity in a structure or component, designed to form a plane of weakness where cracking can occur in response to various forces so as to minimize or eliminate cracking elsewhere in the structure.

Isolation JointA pavement joint that allows relative movement in three directions

and avoids formation of cracks elsewhere in the concrete and through which all or part of the bonded reinforcement is interrupted.

CMU Pic 1A hardened block of concrete usually laid like regular

masonry brick. The hollow core allows the blocks to be filled with concrete which adds to the strength. CMU is more economical than cast concrete, and when properly

laid one course is equal to 3 courses of standard bricks. A typical CMU unit measures 8” x 8” x 16”

CMU Pic 24” CMU

CMU Pic 310” CMU

Split Face Block

Ribbed Block

Flush Door

Panel Door

TransomA small window directly above a door.

SidelightA tall, narrow window along-side a door.

Power Pole with a TransformerSteps down electricity from a few thousand volts to 110v/220v service which is useable for the house

Service HeadBrings the electricity into the actual meter and isolates that particular residence through an in-line fuse which prevents the house wiring from interfering with other structures on

the grid

MeterMeasures how much electricity is being used

Service PanelThe point where electricity enters the home and is

distributed throughout to the home through individual circuits or to other panels

Duplex ReceptacleWhere power is accessed from the home

Anchor Bolt

Sill Plate

Floor Joist

Subflooring

Sole Plate

Stud

Top Plate

Stringer

Ceiling Joist

Rafter

Roof Decking

Sheathing

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Front End LoaderUsed for transporting piles of dirt or other materials at a

jobsite. Unlike a bulldozer it can scoop dirt off the ground and move it rather than just push it around

Gypsum BoardAn interior finish that consists of a gypsum core between

two faces of paper

Compressor/EvaporatorCompresses the refrigerant gas which gives off heat, thus cooling the air as it flows across the cooler coils of the air

handling unit

~one advantage of the heat pump system is that it’s the most efficient way to heat and cool a home

Air Handling UnitForces the air through the system with the use of a blower

fan. Also has a heating unit which warms air as it goes through it before distributing it throughout the house

~one disadvantage of a heat pump system is that it is noisy and one must account for this in the placement of the

compressor unit

Batt/Blanket InsulationStrips or rolls of fiberglass insulation used to insulate walls

and cielings

Loose Fill InsulationLoose fiberglass or paper insulation blown into place

Foamed InsulationA mixture of chemicals that react and expand. It is spray

applied and is the best form of insulation to completely seal off penetrations

Rigid InsulationRigid insulation is insulation that is in the form of sheets used for exterior sheathing of walls as well as insulation

LintelA beam that carries the load of a wall over an opening such

as a window or door

Mortar Joint 1

Mortar Joint 2

Oriented Strand BoardA nonveneered panel made of strands of wood glued and

compressed together in several layers. Each layer is oriented a different way to increase strength

LavatoryUses 1 ½ inch diameter piping for drainage

Water ClosetUses a 3 inch diameter pipe to drain

Tub and Studs

Plumbing VentAllows the air to enter the plumbing system eliminating a

vacuum allowing water to drain from the pipes

Bathroom Sink

PlywoodMade by gluing thin veneers of wood together rotating each

layer 90 degrees. This provides greater strength and minimizes moisture movementVeneer- a thin layer or facing

Radiant BarrierRadiant barriers are typically installed on top of rafters or

under them to reflect radiant heat from the house

Rebar

GutterA channel that collects rainwater at the eave of a roof

DownspoutA vertical pipe that directs the water from the gutter to a

lower level discharge point

Splash BlockA precast concrete or plastic block used to dissipate the

water at ground level so the ground around it doesn’t erode

Roof Underlayment

Clay Tile Roof

Shingle RoofSlate Shingle Roof

Metal Roof

Gable Roof

Gambrel Roof

Hip Roof

Mansard Roof

Ridge

Valley

Eave

Rake

Fascia

Soffit

Stone

Vapor Retarder

Waterproofing

Weep Hole

Welded Wire Fabric

Window 1

Window 2

Window 3

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