Louver - A vented opening into the home that has a series of horizontal slats and arranged to permit ventilation but to exclude rain, snow, light, insects, or other living creatures.

Outrigger - An extension of a rafter beyond the wall line. Usually a smaller member nailed to a larger rafter to form a cornice or roof overhang.

Bedrock - A subsurface layer of earth that is suitable to support a structure.

Blocked (rafters) - Short "2 by 4's" used to keep rafters from twisting, and installed at the ends and at mid -span.

EER (energy efficiency ratio) - A measure of cooling efficiency computer by dividing a cooling unit's output in BTUs by its input in watts.

Incandescent lamp - A lamp employing an electrically charged metal filament that glows at white heat. A typical light bulb.

ú Septic permit - A health department authorization to build or modify a septic system.

Butt joint - The junction where the ends of two timbers meet, and also where sheets of drywall meet on the 4 foot edge. To place materials end -to -end or end -to -edge without overlapping.

By fold door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.

Class "C - " Minimum fire rating issued by the Underwriters' Laboratories for roofing materials.

Cove - A concave curve where vertical and horizontal surfaces join.

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 ducts to various areas of the house.

Mantel - The shelf above a fireplace opening. Also used in referring to the decorative trim around a fireplace opening.

Manufactured wood - A wood product such as a truss, beam, gluelam, microlam or joist which is manufactured out of smaller wood pieces and glued or mechanically fastened to form a larger piece. Often used to create a stronger member which may use less wood. See also Oriented Strand Board.

Q

Radon system - A ventilation system beneath the floor of a basement and/or structural wood floor and designed to fan exhaust radon gas to the outside of the home

Rake - Slope or slanted.

Register - A grill placed over a heating duct or cold air return.

Sleepers - Boards laid directly over a masonry floor to serve as nailers for plywood, or strip or plank flooring.

Trim - Interior - The finish materials in a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice, and other moldings). Also, the physical work of installing interior doors and interior woodwork, to include all handrails, guardrails, stair way balustrades, mantles, light boxes, base, door casings, cabinets, countertops, shelves, window sills and aprons, etc. Exterior - The finish materials on the exterior a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim), siding, windows, exterior doors, attic vents, crawl space vents, shutters, etc. Also, the physical work of installing these materials

Warping - Any distortion in a material.

Window sash - The operating or movable part of a window; the sash is made of window panes and their border.