Building inspectors can uncover problems that should be addressed in remodeling and also monitor compliance with building codes during construction.
Remodeling Glossary
Having trouble relating to some of the construction or remodeling jargon that you're not used to? Don't worry, you're not alone. Use the handy locator below to search the glossary for terms you'd like to understand better. It is alphabetized, and easy to use.
| Back Charge | Billings for work performed or costs incurred by one party that, in accordance with the agreement, should have been performed or incurred by the party to whom billed. Owners bill back charges to general contractors, and general contractors bill back charg |
| Backfill | The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement or crawlspace foundation wall. |
| Backing | Frame lumber installed between the wall studs to give additional support for drywall or an interior trim related item, such as handrail brackets, cabinets, and towel bars. In this way, items are screwed and mounted into solid wood rather than weak drywall |
| Backout | Work the framing contractor does after the mechanical (heating, plumbing & electrical) subcontractors finish their phase of work at the rough stage prior to insulating to get the home ready for a municipal frame inspection. Generally, the framing contract |
| Backset | The term backset is used to explain the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the hole drilled for your knob, lever or deadbolt. |
| Baffles | Device to help achieve a ventilation space between insulation and roof sheathing. It helps assure air flow from the eave vents in attics and cathedral ceilings. |
| Ballast | A transformer that steps up the voltage in a florescent lamp. |
| Ballcatches | Item of hardware inserted into hole drilled into top of door and used where only pulling or pushing opens the door. In double doors, they are used with dummy pairs of levers or knobs. They also can be used in the top of a small closet where pull may be us |
| Balloon Framed Wall | Framed walls (generally over 10' tall) that run the entire vertical length from the floor sill plate to the roof. This is done to eliminate the need for a gable end truss. |
| Balusters | Vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads. Sometimes referred to as 'pickets' or 'spindles.' |
| Balustrade | The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a stairway or elevated walkway. |
| Band Joist | Vertical member that forms the perimeter of a floor system in which the floor joists tie in. Also known as the rim joist. |
| Barge | A horizontal beam rafter that supports shorter rafters. |
| Barge Board | A decorative board covering the projecting rafter (fly rafter) of the gable end. At the cornice, this member is a fascia board. |
| Barrel Vault | A vaulted ceiling of semi-circular shape, creating a dome-like appearance. |
| Baseboard | Any board or molding found at the bottom of an interior wall. |
| Basement Foundation | A basement is a usable foundation that typically has ceiling heights of 8' and is often finished off as living or storage space. |
| Bay window | A composite of three windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30- or 45-degree angles to the wall. |
| Beam | A horizontal framing member designed to carry a load from a set of joists or a roof and spanning an open space. Beams are typically 6 inches by 6 inches or 4 inches by 10 inches or larger. |
| Bi-Level | A home that has two levels which are split to two half levels. |
| Blue Print(s) | A type of copying method often used for architectural drawings. Usually used to describe the drawing of a structure that is prepared by an architect or designer for the purpose of design and planning, estimating, securing permits and actual construction. |
| Board Foot | Measurement of lumber that is the equivalent of 144 cubic inches. |
| Bond or Bonding | An amount of money that must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor's license. If, at the conclusion of a project, there is dispute about the work of the contractor or unpaid bills, the bond may be used for payment. |
| Bonded | An amount of money deposited with a Government Agency which greatly exceeds the minimum requirement. |
| Bonus Room | A room with no specifically designated function, unlike a living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Is not included in the initial square footage. |
| Bore | Bore is the diameter of the hole drilled. |
| Bottom Plate | The lowest horizontal member of a wall which rests on the rough floor, to which the studding is nailed. |
| Bow window | A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation. |
| Braced Framing | A construction method in two-story homes in which the frame is reinforced with posts and braces. |
| Brick Veneer | A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or tile wall construction. |
| Brickmold | A type of external casing that frames windows and doors. |
| Builder's Risk Insurance | Insurance coverage on a construction project during construction, including extended coverage that may be added for the contract for the customer's protections. |
| Building Code | A comprehensive set of laws that controls the construction or remodeling of a home or other structure. |
| Built-Up Roof | A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs. |
| Bull Nose Drywall | Rounded drywall corners. |
| Bundle | A package of shingles. Normally, there are 3 bundles per square and 27 shingles per bundle. |
