From A to Z- Building Terms Home Shoppers Should Know

Architect: A professional who designs buildings and oversees their construction.

Baluster: Vertical posts or spindles that support a handrail on a staircase or balcony.

Blueprints: Detailed drawings that outline the specifications and dimensions of a building’s design.

Cantilever: A structural element that extends horizontally and is supported on one end, creating an overhang.

Carpenter: A skilled tradesperson who works with wood, constructing and repairing structures.

Caulk: A flexible material used to seal gaps and joints in various building materials, preventing air and water infiltration.

Concrete: A durable building material made from a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water.

Contractor: A professional responsible for managing and overseeing construction projects.

Crawl Space: A shallow, unfinished space beneath a house, typically between the ground and the first floor, used for access to utilities.

Drywall: Panels made of gypsum plaster and paper used to create interior walls and ceilings.

Ductwork: System of metal or plastic channels used to distribute air from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Easement: A legal right to use another person’s land for a specific purpose, such as for access to utilities.

Egress Window: A window large enough to provide an emergency exit from a bedroom or living space in case of fire or other emergencies.

Fascia: The horizontal board or trim along the edge of a roof, covering the ends of the roof rafters.

Foundation: The base structure of a building that supports the weight of the entire structure.

Framing: The skeleton structure of a building, including the walls, floors, and roof, typically made of wood or steel.

Gable: The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems responsible for regulating temperature and air quality in a building.

Insulation: Material used to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency in a building.

Jamb: The vertical sides of a door or window frame.

Joist: Horizontal beams that support the floors and ceilings of a building.

Kickout Flashing: A type of flashing used to divert water away from a wall and into the gutter.

Lintel: A horizontal support above a door or window opening.

Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of a structure above it.

Mortgage: A loan used to finance the purchase of a home.

Mullion: A vertical or horizontal element that divides a window or door into two or more sections.

Nailer: A piece of lumber used to provide a solid surface for attaching other materials, such as siding or roofing.

Oversight: The process of monitoring and managing a construction project to ensure it meets quality and safety standards.

Pier: A vertical support for a structure, often made of concrete or other durable materials.

Plumbing: The system of pipes, fixtures, and fittings that supply water and remove waste from a building.

Quoins: Decorative masonry blocks or stones at the corners of a building, often larger or more ornate than the surrounding material.

Rafter: A sloping beam that supports the roof structure.

Sill: The horizontal bottom part of a window or door frame.

Stud: Vertical framing members in a wall.

Subfloor: The base layer of flooring that supports the finished floor covering.

Truss: A structural framework of wooden or metal members designed to support a roof or floor.

Vapor Barrier: A material that prevents the passage of moisture through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Warranty: A guarantee provided by the builder or manufacturer covering the quality and performance of certain aspects of a home.

Zoning: Local regulations that dictate how land can be used and what can be built on it.