closed-cut valley
nounConstruction
a method of valley application in which shingles from one side of the valley extend across the valley while shingles from the other side are trimmed back a few inches from the valley centerline.
Construction
350 entries in this trade.
CMU
nounConstruction
Initialism of concrete masonry unit.
cold patch
nounConstruction
A mass of semisolid asphalt concrete tamped into potholes in a paved surface to provide a temporary repair, typically used in cold winter conditions.
combing ridge
nounConstruction
A topmost row of roofing slates that project above the line of the ridge
composite board insulation
nounConstruction
A rigid board insulation generally composed of perlite or wood fiberboard factory bonded to polyisocyanurate or polystyrene.
concrete masonry unit
nounConstruction
A rectangular concrete block of a standard size used in construction.
contractee
nounConstruction
The party to a construction contract who is not the contractor; frequently the owner.
cope and stick
nounConstruction
A frame-and-panel joinery technique used to make doors, wainscoting, etc., involving a molded edge with a cut along the inside of the frame where it is to be joined to the panel. The panel piece that meets the molding at a right angle must be "coped", or given a cope cut, across the end grain of the wood to match the molding's profile.
counter batten
nounConstruction
vertical wood strips installed on sloped roofs over which horizontal battens are secured. The primary roof covering is attached or secured to these horizontal battens.
counterflashing
nounConstruction
Formed metal or elastomeric sheeting secured on or into a wall, curb, pipe or other surface, to cover and protect the upper edge of a base flashing and its associated fasteners.
counterlath
nounConstruction
One of many laths used in preparing one side of a partition or framed wall, when the other side has been covered in and finished.
coursing joint
nounConstruction
A joint between two courses of masonry.
cover
nounConstruction
The distance between reinforcing steel and the exterior of concrete.
cover board
nounConstruction
An insulation board used over closed cell plastic insulation (e.g., polyisocyanurate) to prevent blistering when used in conjunction with hot bituminous membranes.
CP
nounConstruction
Initialism of contract package.
crawler crane
nounConstruction
A crane that is able to move around a construction site on its caterpillar tracks.
cut and cover
nounConstruction
A method of building a tunnel by digging a trench, constructing tunnel walls therein, and refilling the trench with earth.
cut-and-cover
adjectiveConstruction
A method of building tunnels just below the surface by excavating a large trench, constructing the tunnel and then covering it with soil.
cyclopean
adjectiveConstruction
Fitted together of huge irregular stones.
damp course
nounConstruction
A layer in a wall, foundation etc. which prevents moisture spreading into interior areas.
damp proofing
nounConstruction
treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.
davit
nounConstruction
A crane, often working in pairs and usually made of steel, used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off, such as lowering a maintenance trapeze down a building or launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship.
dead load
nounConstruction
The weight of a structure itself, including the weight of fixtures or equipment permanently attached to it.
dead-air space
nounConstruction
A sealed airspace in a cavity wall.
deadman
nounConstruction
A long object, often a timber or log, buried to serve as an anchor for a wall or for stays.
design load
nounConstruction
The total load on a structural system for the most severe combination of loads and forces which it is designed to sustain.
dimensional shingle
nounConstruction
A shingle that is textured, overlayed, or laminated and designed to produce a three-dimensional effect.
distributable
nounConstruction
Any of the costs that are not directly associated with a specific account.
double coverage
nounConstruction
Application of asphalt, slate, or wood roofing such that the lapped portion is at least two inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of roofing material over the deck.
double lock standing seam
nounConstruction
A standing seam that uses a double overlapping interlock between two metal panels.
dowel
nounConstruction
A piece of wood or similar material fitted into a surface not suitable for fastening so that other pieces may be fastened to it.
downstrike
verbConstruction
To point (finish a joint) by pressing mortar in at the bottom.
drag
nounConstruction
A steel instrument for completing the dressing of soft stone.
dry well
nounConstruction
An underground structure (for example, a pit filled with gravel) that disposes of unwanted water (most commonly surface runoff and stormwater and in some cases greywater) by holding it and dissipating it into the groundwater.
drying time
nounConstruction
The time required for the loss of volatile components so that the material will no longer be adversely affected by weather conditions such as dew, rain or freezing.
Dutch corner
nounConstruction
Laying bricks with a three-quarter brick closure at the corner.
earthmoving
adjectiveConstruction
Designed to move large quantities of earth or rubble for civil engineering or building purposes.
ECC
nameConstruction
Initialism of Environmental Compliance Certificate.
edge venting
nounConstruction
The practice of providing regularly spaced or continuously protected openings along a roof edge or perimeter, used as part of a ventilation system to dissipate heat and moisture vapor.
efflorescence
nounConstruction
An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it.
English bond
nounConstruction
In bricklaying, an arrangement of bricks such that one course has the short sides of the bricks (headers) facing outwards, and the next course has the long sides of the bricks (stretchers) facing outwards.
entrench
verbConstruction
To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.
expansion cleat
nounConstruction
A cleat designed to accommodate thermal movement of metal roof panels.
expansion joint
nounConstruction
A structural separation between two building elements that allows free movement between the elements without damage to the system.
eyebar
nounConstruction
A straight bar, usually of metal, with a hole or "eye" at each end to allow it to be fixed to other components.
eyebrow
nounConstruction
A dormer, usually of small size, whose roof line over the upright face is typically an arched curve, turning into a reverse curve to meet the horizontal line at either end.
facadism
nounConstruction
a method where the facade is designed and/or constructed independently of the remainder of the rest of the building.
facesheet
nounConstruction
A sheet of material serving as an outer face, like those surrounding the core of a sandwich panel.
fallback
nounConstruction
A reduction in bitumen softening point, sometimes called refluxing or overheating, in a relatively closed container.
field seam
nounConstruction
A splice or seam made in the field (not factory) where overlapping sheets are joined together using an adhesive, splicing tape, or heat or solvent welding.
fill soil
nounConstruction
Soil used for filling, that is, found within or contemporaneously placed within a cavity, or a supply of soil for use as fill.
final setting time
nounConstruction
Of concrete, the time elapsed between the moment that water is added to the cement, and the moment when the paste has completely lost its plasticity.
fishmouth
nounConstruction
A half-cylindrical or half-conical shaped opening or void in a lapped edge or seam, usually caused by wrinkling or shifting of ply sheets during installation.
flashing
nounConstruction
Components used to weatherproof or seal roof system edges at perimeters, penetrations, walls, expansion joints, valleys, drains and other places where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated.
flat lock
nounConstruction
a method of interlocking metal panels in which one panel edge is folded back on top of itself and the other panel is folded under, after which the two panels are hooked together.
flatwork
nounConstruction
Horizontal construction work using concrete, such as floors.
fleece
nounConstruction
Mat or felts composed of fibers, sometimes used as a membrane backer.
Flemish bond
nounConstruction
In bricklaying, an arrangement of bricks such that each course consists of alternate bricks having their short sides (headers) and long sides (stretchers) facing outwards, with alternate courses being offset.
flood test
nounConstruction
the procedure in which a controlled amount of water is temporarily retained over a horizontal surface to determine the effectiveness of the waterproofing system.
fly-in
nounConstruction
A method of application for roll materials by which the dry sheet is set into the bitumen or adhesive applied to the roof surface.