Construction Industry Terms with
Complete Solutions 2024 Latest
Update
Drywall (or Gypsum Wallboard (GWB), Sheet rock or Plasterboard) - Answer- Wall
board or gypsum- 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 and is used in bathrooms and other "wet areas".
Ducts - Answer- The heating system. Usually round or rectangular metal pipes installed
for distributing warm (or cold) air from the furnace to rooms in the home. Also a tunnel
made of galvanized metal or rigid fiberglass, which carries air from the heater or
ventilation opening to the rooms in a building.
Elevation sheet - Answer- The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as
if a vertical plane were passed through the structure.
Estimate - Answer- The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor
anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.
Expansion joint - Answer- Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a
concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non-moving
foundation wall.
Extras - Answer- Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original
plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but
increase the cost of building the home.
Field measure - Answer- To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower
doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints.
Fire-resistive or Fire rated - Answer- Applies to materials that are not combustible in the
temperatures of ordinary fires and will withstand such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall
used in the garage and party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X.
, Fire stop - Answer- A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the
spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist
of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and
smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the
top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall
studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See
also 'Fire block'.
Flatwork - Answer- Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and
sidewalks.
Foundation - Answer- The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor
construction, or below grade, including the footings.
Framer - Answer- The carpenter contractor that installs the lumber and erects the
frame, flooring system, interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters, decking, installs all
beams, stairs, soffits and all work related to the wood structure of the home. The framer
builds the home according to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes
and regulations.
General Contractor - Answer- A contractor who enters into a contract with the owner of
a project for the construction of the project and who takes full responsibility for its
completion, although the contractor may enter into subcontracts with others for the
performance of specific parts or phases of the project.
Grid - Answer- The completed assembly of main and cross tees in a suspended ceiling
system before the ceiling panels are installed.
Grout - Answer- A wet mixture of cement, sand and water that flows into masonry or
ceramic crevices to seal the cracks between the different pieces. Mortar made of such
consistency (by adding water) that it will flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry
work and fill them solid.
Hardware - Answer- All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is near
completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house
numbers, door closers, etc. The Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware".
H V A C - Answer- An abbreviation for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Insulation - Answer- 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.
Interior finish - Answer- Material used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and
ceilings
Complete Solutions 2024 Latest
Update
Drywall (or Gypsum Wallboard (GWB), Sheet rock or Plasterboard) - Answer- Wall
board or gypsum- 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 and is used in bathrooms and other "wet areas".
Ducts - Answer- The heating system. Usually round or rectangular metal pipes installed
for distributing warm (or cold) air from the furnace to rooms in the home. Also a tunnel
made of galvanized metal or rigid fiberglass, which carries air from the heater or
ventilation opening to the rooms in a building.
Elevation sheet - Answer- The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as
if a vertical plane were passed through the structure.
Estimate - Answer- The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor
anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.
Expansion joint - Answer- Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a
concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non-moving
foundation wall.
Extras - Answer- Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original
plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but
increase the cost of building the home.
Field measure - Answer- To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower
doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints.
Fire-resistive or Fire rated - Answer- Applies to materials that are not combustible in the
temperatures of ordinary fires and will withstand such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall
used in the garage and party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X.
, Fire stop - Answer- A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the
spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist
of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and
smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the
top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall
studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See
also 'Fire block'.
Flatwork - Answer- Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and
sidewalks.
Foundation - Answer- The supporting portion of a structure below the first floor
construction, or below grade, including the footings.
Framer - Answer- The carpenter contractor that installs the lumber and erects the
frame, flooring system, interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters, decking, installs all
beams, stairs, soffits and all work related to the wood structure of the home. The framer
builds the home according to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes
and regulations.
General Contractor - Answer- A contractor who enters into a contract with the owner of
a project for the construction of the project and who takes full responsibility for its
completion, although the contractor may enter into subcontracts with others for the
performance of specific parts or phases of the project.
Grid - Answer- The completed assembly of main and cross tees in a suspended ceiling
system before the ceiling panels are installed.
Grout - Answer- A wet mixture of cement, sand and water that flows into masonry or
ceramic crevices to seal the cracks between the different pieces. Mortar made of such
consistency (by adding water) that it will flow into the joints and cavities of the masonry
work and fill them solid.
Hardware - Answer- All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is near
completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house
numbers, door closers, etc. The Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware".
H V A C - Answer- An abbreviation for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Insulation - Answer- 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.
Interior finish - Answer- Material used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and
ceilings
