Heating load - The amount of heating required to keep a building at a specified temperature during the winter, usually 65ø F, regardless of outside temperature.

Hot wire - The wire that carries electrical energy to a receptacle or other device -in contrast to a neutral, which carries electricity away again. Normally the black wire. Also see ground.

Fire retardant chemical - A chemical or preparation of chemicals used to reduce the flammability of a material or to retard the spread of flame.

Double hung window - A window with two vertically sliding sashes, both of which can move up and down.

Butt edge - The lower edge of the shingle tabs.

Knot - In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece.

Semigloss paint or enamel - A paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi -gloss

Cantilevered void - Foundation void material used in unusually expansive soils conditions. This void is "trapezoid" shaped and has vertical sides of 6" and 4" respectively.

Casing - Wood trim molding installed around a door or window opening.

Drip cap - A molding or metal flashing placed on the exterior topside of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.

Landing - A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction. Normally no less than 3 ft. X 3 ft. square.

Lattice - An open framework of criss -crossed wood or metal strips that form regular, patterned spaces.

Paper, building - A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses. Generally comes in long rolls.

Ready mixed concrete - Concrete mixed at a plant or in trucks en route to a job and delivered ready for placement.

Ridge board - The board placed on the ridge of the roof onto which the upper ends of other rafters are fastened.

Sheathing - The first covering on a roof or exterior wall, usually fastened directly to rafters or studs.

Square - A unit of measure -100 square feet -usually applied to roofing and siding material. Also, a situation that exists when two elements are at right angles to each other. Also a tool for checking this.

Ton - A measure of cooling power. One ton equals 12,000 BTU's.