Browse construction, remodeling, and home-repair terms by category. New terms are added regularly.
1079 terms published so far.
General Construction & Building
- Building envelope
- Building footprint
- Building code
- Building permit
- Certificate of occupancy
- Construction documents
- Construction drawings
- Construction specifications
- Construction estimate
- Construction schedule
- Construction contract
- General contractor
- Subcontractor
- Construction manager
- Owner-builder
- Design-build
- Design-bid-build
- Preconstruction
- Site preparation
- Site development
- Site plan
- Plot plan
- As-built drawing
- Blueprint
- Floor plan
- Elevation drawing
- Section drawing
- Detail drawing
- Structural drawing
- Architectural drawing
- Mechanical drawing
- Electrical drawing
- Plumbing drawing
- Scope of work
- Change order
- Work order
- Punch list
- Allowance
- Contingency allowance
- Cost-plus contract
- Fixed-price contract
- Time-and-materials contract
- Lump-sum contract
- Retainage
- Progress payment
- Construction lien
- Lien waiver
- Warranty
- Builder warranty
- Substantial completion
Foundation & Structural Terms
- Foundation
- Foundation wall
- Foundation footing
- Strip footing
- Continuous footing
- Isolated footing
- Spread footing
- Stepped footing
- Raft foundation
- Mat foundation
- Slab foundation
- Monolithic slab
- Floating slab
- Structural slab
- Basement foundation
- Crawl space foundation
- Pier foundation
- Post-and-pier foundation
- Pile foundation
- Driven pile
- Helical pile
- Micropile
- Caisson foundation
- Grade beam
- Foundation pier
- Concrete pier
- Masonry pier
- Foundation anchor bolt
- Foundation drainage
- Foundation drain
- Foundation waterproofing
- Foundation dampproofing
- Foundation crack
- Horizontal foundation crack
- Vertical foundation crack
- Stair-step crack
- Diagonal foundation crack
- Hairline crack
- Structural crack
- Shrinkage crack
- Settlement crack
- Foundation settlement
- Differential settlement
- Soil settlement
- Foundation heave
- Frost heave
- Expansive soil
- Clay soil
- Bearing capacity
- Soil bearing pressure
- Soil pressure
- Lateral earth pressure
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Uplift pressure
- Foundation movement
- Foundation displacement
- Foundation failure
- Foundation underpinning
- Underpinning
- Mass concrete underpinning
- Beam-and-base underpinning
- Mini-pile underpinning
- Helical underpinning
- Foundation pier repair
- Carbon fiber foundation repair
- Wall anchor
- Wall brace
- Foundation reinforcement
- Foundation stabilization
- Foundation jacking
- Mudjacking
- Slabjacking
- Polyjacking
- Void filling
- Soil stabilization
- Soil injection
- Pressure grouting
- Compaction grouting
- Permeation grouting
- Bentonite
- Concrete footing
- Footing drain
- Footing excavation
- Footing inspection
- Footing formwork
- Foundation formwork
- Foundation excavation
- Foundation backfill
- Foundation vent
- Foundation insulation
- Foundation wall insulation
- Frost-protected shallow foundation
- Stem wall
- Crawl space wall
- Grade beam foundation
- Basement footing
- Basement wall
- Basement slab
- Foundation capillary break
- Foundation drainage mat
Basement & Waterproofing
- Basement
- Finished basement
- Unfinished basement
- Walkout basement
- Daylight basement
- Basement conversion
- Basement remodeling
- Basement finishing
- Basement waterproofing
- Interior basement waterproofing
- Exterior basement waterproofing
- Basement dampproofing
- Basement drainage
- Interior drainage system
- Exterior drainage system
- French drain
- Interior French drain
- Exterior French drain
- Drain tile
- Perimeter drain
- Footing drain
- Weeping tile
- Curtain drain
- Channel drain
- Trench drain
- Sump pump
- Sump basin
- Sump pit
- Sump pump liner
- Battery backup sump pump
- Primary sump pump
- Secondary sump pump
- Sump pump check valve
- Sump pump discharge
- Sump pump crock
- Ejector pump
- Sewage ejector
- Backwater valve
- Basement floor drain
- Basement drain
- Basement flooding
- Basement seepage
- Basement leaks
- Basement water intrusion
- Basement moisture
- Basement humidity
- Basement condensation
- Basement mold
- Basement mildew
- Basement efflorescence
- Efflorescence
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Hydrostatic water pressure
- Groundwater infiltration
- Groundwater seepage
- Rising damp
- Capillary action
- Vapor barrier
- Vapor retarder
- Moisture barrier
- Waterproof membrane
- Waterproof coating
- Elastomeric coating
- Cementitious waterproofing
- Bentonite waterproofing
- Liquid membrane
- Sheet membrane
- Drainage board
- Dimple board
- Protection board
- Waterproofing membrane
- Crack injection
- Epoxy injection
- Polyurethane injection
- Urethane injection
- Hydraulic cement
- Masonry sealer
- Concrete sealer
- Silicate sealer
- Basement window well
- Window well cover
- Egress window
- Basement egress
- Window well drain
- Basement insulation
- Basement ceiling insulation
- Basement wall insulation
- Rim joist insulation
- Basement air sealing
- Basement ventilation
- Crawl space waterproofing
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Crawl space vapor barrier
- Crawl space drainage
- Crawl space sump pump
- Crawl space dehumidifier
- Encapsulation liner
- Vapor barrier liner
- Crawl space vent
- Crawl space access door
Framing & Structural Components
- Framing
- Wall framing
- Floor framing
- Roof framing
- Wood framing
- Steel framing
- Timber framing
- Platform framing
- Balloon framing
- Post-and-beam framing
- Stick framing
- Advanced framing
- Stud
- King stud
- Jack stud
- Cripple stud
- Corner stud
- End stud
- Partition stud
- Wall plate
- Top plate
- Double top plate
- Sole plate
- Bottom plate
- Sill plate
- Header
- Rough opening
- Door rough opening
- Window rough opening
- Trimmer
- Header jack
- Blocking
- Fire blocking
- Draft stopping
- Bracing
- Diagonal bracing
- Shear wall
- Shear panel
- Structural wall
- Partition wall
- Load-bearing wall
- Bearing wall
- Non-load-bearing wall
- Pony wall
- Knee wall
- Stem wall
- Curtain wall
- Demising wall
- Party wall
- Double wall
- Sister wall
- Sister joist
- Sister rafter
- Joist
- Floor joist
- Ceiling joist
- Rim joist
- End joist
- I-joist
- Engineered I-joist
- Floor truss
- Girder
- Beam
- Header beam
- Ridge beam
- Ridge board
- Collar tie
- Rafter tie
- Ceiling tie
- Joist hanger
- Beam hanger
- Post
- Column
- Structural post
- King post
- Newel post
- Ledger board
- Ledger strip
- Purlin
- Strut
- Truss
- Roof truss
- Scissor truss
- Attic truss
- Gambrel truss
- Parallel chord truss
- Hip truss
- Valley truss
- Truss plate
- Gusset plate
- Hurricane tie
- Rafter
- Common rafter
- Hip rafter
- Valley rafter
- Jack rafter
- Fly rafter
- Birdsmouth cut
- Rafter tail
- Cantilever
Roofing
- Roof
- Roof system
- Roof deck
- Roof sheathing
- Roof underlayment
- Roof covering
- Roof slope
- Roof pitch
- Roof plane
- Roof ridge
- Roof hip
- Roof valley
- Roof eave
- Roof rake
- Roof overhang
- Roof edge
- Roofline
- Roof penetration
- Roof curb
- Roof flashing
- Step flashing
- Counterflashing
- Valley flashing
- Drip edge
- Headwall flashing
- Apron flashing
- Kickout flashing
- Chimney flashing
- Pipe flashing
- Vent flashing
- Wall flashing
- Base flashing
- Cap flashing
- Cricket
- Saddle roof
- Ridge cap
- Ridge vent
- Box vent
- Turbine vent
- Soffit vent
- Gable vent
- Roof vent
- Attic ventilation
- Intake ventilation
- Exhaust ventilation
- Balanced ventilation
- Asphalt shingles
- Architectural shingles
- Three-tab shingles
- Luxury shingles
- Dimensional shingles
- Fiberglass shingles
- Organic shingles
- Wood shingles
- Wood shakes
- Cedar shakes
- Slate roofing
- Synthetic slate
- Metal roofing
- Standing seam metal roof
- Corrugated metal roof
- Stone-coated steel roofing
- Copper roofing
- Aluminum roofing
- Zinc roofing
- Tile roofing
- Clay tile roof
- Concrete tile roof
- Spanish tile
- Flat roof
- Low-slope roof
- Membrane roofing
- EPDM roofing
- TPO roofing
- PVC roofing
- Modified bitumen
- Built-up roofing
- BUR roofing
- Roll roofing
- Roof coating
- Silicone roof coating
- Acrylic roof coating
- Elastomeric roof coating
- Granule loss
- Shingle blistering
- Shingle curling
- Shingle buckling
- Shingle cracking
- Nail pop
- Roof leak
- Roof leak detection
- Roof moss
- Roof algae
- Ice dam
- Ice damming
- Roof flashing failure
- Roof rot
- Roof sagging
- Roof replacement
- Roof tear-off
Exterior, Siding & Weatherproofing
- Siding
- Vinyl siding
- Fiber cement siding
- Wood siding
- Cedar siding
- Engineered wood siding
- Metal siding
- Aluminum siding
- Steel siding
- Stucco
- EIFS
- Brick veneer
- Stone veneer
- Manufactured stone veneer
- Masonry veneer
- Lap siding
- Dutch lap siding
- Board-and-batten siding
- Shiplap siding
- Shake siding
- Vertical siding
- Horizontal siding
- Siding panel
- Siding starter strip
- Siding J-channel
- Siding corner post
- Siding flashing
- Siding trim
- House wrap
- Building wrap
- Weather barrier
- Weather-resistive barrier
- Air barrier
- Rain screen
- Rainscreen cladding
- Drainage plane
- Drainage gap
- Capillary break
- Vapor-open membrane
- Vapor-permeable membrane
- Caulking
- Exterior sealant
- Backer rod
- Expansion joint
- Control joint
- Weep hole
- Weep screed
- Drip cap
- Window flashing
- Door flashing
- Head flashing
- Sill flashing
- Z-flashing
- Kickout diverter
- Exterior trim
- Fascia
- Soffit
- Cornice
- Frieze board
- Rake board
- Bargeboard
- Eave trim
- Exterior insulation
- Continuous insulation
- Rigid insulation
- Thermal bridge
- Thermal break
- Thermal bypass
- Air leakage
- Air sealing
- Wind-driven rain
- Water intrusion
- Exterior moisture
- Rot
- Dry rot
- Wood decay
- Carpenter ants
- Wood-boring insects
- Exterior paint
- Elastomeric paint
Windows & Doors
- Window
- Window sash
- Window frame
- Window jamb
- Window sill
- Window stool
- Window apron
- Window casing
- Window glazing
- Window pane
- Double glazing
- Triple glazing
- Insulated glass unit
- IGU
- Low-E glass
- Tempered glass
- Laminated glass
- Obscure glass
- Safety glass
- Argon-filled window
- Gas-filled window
- Double-hung window
- Single-hung window
- Casement window
- Awning window
- Sliding window
- Picture window
- Bay window
- Bow window
- Garden window
- Hopper window
- Clerestory window
- Transom window
- Skylight
- Roof window
- Egress window
- Storm window
- Storm window insert
- Window screen
- Window grille
- Mullion
- Muntin
- Sash lock
- Window balance
- Window weep hole
- Window flashing
- Window pan
- Window buck
- Window replacement
- Window retrofit
- Window rough opening
- Door
- Exterior door
- Interior door
- Entry door
- Storm door
- Sliding door
- French door
- Pocket door
- Barn door
- Dutch door
- Bi-fold door
- Pivot door
- Door slab
- Door jamb
- Door casing
- Door threshold
- Door sweep
- Door sill
- Door stop
- Door strike plate
- Door hinge
- Door closer
- Door weatherstripping
- Door astragal
- Door transom
- Sidelight
- Door rough opening
- Prehung door
- Slab door
Insulation & Energy Efficiency
- Insulation
- Thermal insulation
- Fiberglass insulation
- Batt insulation
- Blanket insulation
- Blown-in insulation
- Loose-fill insulation
- Cellulose insulation
- Mineral wool
- Rock wool
- Spray foam insulation
- Open-cell spray foam
- Closed-cell spray foam
- Rigid foam insulation
- Polyisocyanurate
- Extruded polystyrene
- Expanded polystyrene
- Foam board
- Reflective insulation
- Radiant barrier
- Insulated concrete forms
- ICF construction
- Structural insulated panel
- SIP panel
- Insulation R-value
- U-factor
- Thermal resistance
- Thermal conductivity
- Thermal bridging
- Air sealing
- Air infiltration
- Air leakage
- Air barrier
- Vapor barrier
- Vapor retarder
- Vapor diffusion
- Moisture migration
- Condensation
- Dew point
- Thermal envelope
- Building envelope
- Energy efficiency
- Energy audit
- Home energy audit
- Home energy assessment
- Energy rating
- Energy Star
- HERS rating
- HERS index
- Blower door test
- Duct leakage test
- Infrared thermography
- Thermal imaging
- Heat loss
- Heat gain
- Solar heat gain
- Solar heat gain coefficient
- Passive solar design
- Passive house
- Net-zero home
- Net-zero energy
- High-performance home
- Energy-efficient home
- Building science
- Hygrothermal performance
- Heating degree days
- Cooling degree days
- Thermal mass
- Passive cooling
- Passive heating
HVAC & Ventilation
- HVAC
- Heating system
- Cooling system
- Forced-air system
- Central air conditioning
- Air conditioner
- Heat pump
- Ductless mini-split
- Mini-split system
- Geothermal heat pump
- Ground-source heat pump
- Air-source heat pump
- Furnace
- Gas furnace
- Electric furnace
- Boiler
- Hydronic heating
- Radiant heating
- Baseboard heating
- Electric baseboard
- Radiator
- Heat exchanger
- Condenser
- Evaporator coil
- Compressor
- Refrigerant
- Refrigerant line
- Refrigerant charge
- Expansion valve
- Thermostat
- Smart thermostat
- Programmable thermostat
- Supply vent
- Return vent
- Supply register
- Return grille
- Air handler
- Blower motor
- Ductwork
- Supply duct
- Return duct
- Flexible duct
- Rigid duct
- Duct insulation
- Duct sealing
- Duct leakage
- Duct cleaning
- Ductless HVAC
- Zoning system
- HVAC zoning
- Fresh-air intake
- Exhaust ventilation
- Mechanical ventilation
- Natural ventilation
- Whole-house ventilation
- Whole-house fan
- Attic fan
- Bathroom exhaust fan
- Kitchen exhaust fan
- Range hood
- ERV
- Energy recovery ventilator
- HRV
- Heat recovery ventilator
- Indoor air quality
- IAQ
- MERV rating
- HEPA filter
- Air filter
- Filter return grille
- CFM
- BTU
- SEER
- SEER2
- EER
- AFUE
- HSPF
- Manual J
- Manual S
- Manual D
Plumbing & Drainage
- Plumbing
- Plumbing rough-in
- Supply line
- Water supply line
- Water main
- Water service line
- Branch line
- Hot water line
- Cold water line
- Shutoff valve
- Main shutoff valve
- Gate valve
- Ball valve
- Check valve
- Pressure-reducing valve
- Pressure relief valve
- Backflow preventer
- Vacuum breaker
- Water pressure
- Water hammer
- Water hammer arrestor
- Expansion tank
- Water heater
- Tank water heater
- Tankless water heater
- Heat pump water heater
- Electric water heater
- Gas water heater
- Water heater anode rod
- Water heater expansion tank
- Plumbing vent
- Vent stack
- Soil stack
- Waste stack
- Drain-waste-vent system
- DWV system
- Drainpipe
- Waste pipe
- Sewer line
- Sewer lateral
- Main sewer
- Sewer cleanout
- Cleanout plug
- P-trap
- S-trap
- Bottle trap
- Trap primer
- Drain flange
- Floor drain
- Floor sink
- Catch basin
- Grease trap
- Septic tank
- Septic drain field
- Leach field
- Septic distribution box
- Sewer ejector pump
- Sewage pump
- Grinder pump
- Backwater valve
- Sump pump
- French drain
- Storm drain
- Stormwater drainage
- Downspout
- Downspout extension
- Gutter
- Gutter guard
- Rain barrel
- Rainwater harvesting
- Dry well
- Infiltration trench
- Permeable pavement
- Swale
- Bioswale
- Surface drainage
- Subsurface drainage
- Trench drain
- Channel drain
- Area drain
- Plumbing manifold
- PEX
- CPVC
- PVC pipe
- ABS pipe
- Copper pipe
- Cast iron pipe
- Galvanized pipe
- Polybutylene pipe
- SharkBite fitting
Electrical
- Electrical system
- Electrical panel
- Main electrical panel
- Subpanel
- Breaker panel
- Circuit breaker
- Main breaker
- Tandem breaker
- AFCI
- GFCI
- GFCI outlet
- Electrical outlet
- Receptacle
- Duplex receptacle
- USB outlet
- Tamper-resistant outlet
- Switch
- Three-way switch
- Four-way switch
- Dimmer switch
- Smart switch
- Junction box
- Electrical box
- Switch box
- Ceiling box
- Conduit
- Flexible conduit
- EMT conduit
- Electrical cable
- Romex
- NM cable
- Wire gauge
- Ground wire
- Grounding electrode
- Ground rod
- Bonding
- Neutral wire
- Hot wire
- Service entrance
- Electrical service
- Service mast
- Meter base
- Utility meter
- Electrical load
- Load calculation
- Dedicated circuit
- Branch circuit
- Circuit overload
- Short circuit
- Ground fault
- Arc fault
- Voltage drop
- Surge protector
- Whole-house surge protection
- Transfer switch
- Generator
- Standby generator
- Portable generator
- Solar inverter
- Battery storage
- Home battery
- Solar panel
- Photovoltaic system
- Net metering
- Electrical grounding
- Electrical bonding
- Recessed lighting
- Track lighting
- Pendant light
- Under-cabinet lighting
Interior Finishes, Drywall & Painting
- Drywall
- Gypsum board
- Plaster
- Lath
- Blueboard
- Greenboard
- Cement board
- Backer board
- Drywall joint
- Drywall tape
- Paper tape
- Mesh tape
- Joint compound
- Setting compound
- Skim coat
- Drywall mud
- Drywall corner bead
- Bullnose corner
- Inside corner
- Outside corner
- Drywall screw
- Drywall anchor
- Nail pop
- Drywall crack
- Drywall hole
- Drywall patch
- Drywall finishing
- Drywall texture
- Orange peel texture
- Knockdown texture
- Popcorn ceiling
- Plaster ceiling
- Acoustic ceiling
- Suspended ceiling
- Drop ceiling
- Ceiling tile
- Interior paint
- Primer
- Paint sheen
- Flat paint
- Matte paint
- Eggshell paint
- Satin paint
- Semi-gloss paint
- Gloss paint
- Latex paint
- Acrylic paint
- Oil-based paint
- Enamel paint
- Cabinet paint
- Paint-grade wood
- Stain-grade wood
- Wood stain
- Wood finish
- Polyurethane
- Varnish
- Shellac
- Lacquer
- Caulk
- Paint caulk
- Painter’s tape
- Cutting in
- Back rolling
- Paint flashing
- Efflorescence
- Mildew-resistant paint
- Elastomeric coating
- Limewash
- Whitewash
- Microcement
- Tadelakt
- Wallpaper
- Wallpaper primer
- Wallcovering
- Wainscoting
- Beadboard
- Shiplap
- Board and batten
- Acoustic panel
Flooring, Tile & Surfaces
- Flooring
- Hardwood flooring
- Solid hardwood
- Engineered hardwood
- Laminate flooring
- Vinyl flooring
- Luxury vinyl plank
- Luxury vinyl tile
- LVP
- LVT
- Sheet vinyl
- Cork flooring
- Bamboo flooring
- Tile flooring
- Ceramic tile
- Porcelain tile
- Natural stone tile
- Marble tile
- Granite tile
- Slate tile
- Travertine tile
- Quarry tile
- Mosaic tile
- Glass tile
- Subway tile
- Large-format tile
- Thinset
- Mortar bed
- Tile adhesive
- Tile grout
- Sanded grout
- Unsanded grout
- Epoxy grout
- Grout sealer
- Grout haze
- Tile spacer
- Tile leveling system
- Schluter system
- Waterproofing membrane
- Shower pan
- Tile underlayment
- Backer board
- Cement board
- Uncoupling membrane
- Crack isolation membrane
- Self-leveling compound
- Floor leveling
- Subfloor
- Underlayment
- Floor joist
- Floor squeak
- Floor deflection
- Floor transition
- Transition strip
- Reducer strip
- T-molding
- Threshold
- Quarter round
- Shoe molding
- Baseboard
- Stair tread
- Stair riser
- Stair nosing
- Stair stringer
- Stair landing
- Newel post
- Baluster
- Handrail
- Guardrail
- Floor refinishing
- Floor sanding
- Screen and recoat
- Floor acclimation
- Floating floor
- Nail-down flooring
- Glue-down flooring
- Click-lock flooring
- Tongue-and-groove flooring
- Herringbone flooring
- Chevron flooring