Visual Dictionary
- 1. Term1: Air Barrier PaperAir barrier paper is used to control certain infiltration that a building may experience. In this picture, the air barrier paper has been installed and is helping control the infiltration of rain, wind, etc.
- 2. 2: Attic VentilationAttics are ventilated to allow water vapor to escape, as well as to keep the house cooler in the summer by preventing the build up of solar heat conducted through roofing and roof sheathing.In this picture I am pointing to a soffit vent. The picture to the right is a more detailed image. Soffit vents allow for proper intake ventilation.In the photo to the left, the red oval indicates a ridge vent. Ridge vents discharge air that enters through either soffit vents or frieze block vents.
- 3. 2: Attic VentilationIn the picture to the right, a roof turbine is indicated by the red oval. Turbine vents act to remove air from the attic. The picture below the picture to the right shows a more detailed view of the roof turbine. I am pointing to a gable vent in the picture above. Gable vents are located in the attic and create a cross draft in a wind.
- 4. 3: BackhoeThis is an example of a combination backhoe/front end loader. The end that I am pointing to is the back hoe. The width of the bucket on the backhoe is 21 and ¾ inches. Backhoes excavate soil from the jobsite. Here, the backhoe is being used to remove and move soil around the jobsite.
- 5. 4: Batter boards In this picture, I am standing on the batter boards. Batter boards are used establish the position, shape, and size of the building on site. Batter boards are also used to lay out the foundation of a house.
- 6. 5:Brick ArchesThis is an example of a jack arch. This is an example of a parabolic arch.This is an example of an arch with a keystone.
- 7. 6: Brick BondsBrick Bond #1: To the left is an example of a running bond. Running bonds are rows of continuous stretchers. Brick Bond # 2: To the right is an example of a Flemish bond. A Flemish bond consists of courses which alternate between headers and stretchers.The picture to the left is an example of a row of rowlocks. The picture to the right is an example of headers.
- 8. 6: Brick BondsIn the photograph to the left, I am pointing to a row of soldiers.In the photograph below, I am pointing to two shiners. A shiner is a stretcher rowlock.In the photograph to the left, I am pointing to a row of sailors.
- 9. 7: Brick SizesThe brick to the left is of size 3 5/8“ x 2 5/16” x 7 9/16”. This size is closest to a ‘Modular’ brick size. The brick to the right is of size 3 ½” X 2 ¼ “ x 11 ¼”. This size is closest to a ‘Norman’ brick size.
- 10. 8: BulldozerThis is a photo of a bulldozer. Bulldozers push large quantities of soil on a jobsite.
- 11. 9: CladdingThe photograph to the left is of brick cladding. The photograph to the right is of EIFS.This picture to the left is of a stone clad structure. The coursing is rubble and the pattern is random. The picture to the right is of a wood board clad structure.
- 12. 9: CladdingThis is an example of the exterior of a building being clad with wood shingles.
- 13. 10: Code RequirementsThe width of this window is 35 1/16 inches. The height is 30 5/16 inches. The area of this is 7. 38 ft^2. The sill height is 24 inches above finished floor. This window meets code. The IBC code states: Sill height must be at a 44 inch maximum, the width of the window must be at least 34 inches,the height of one pane in a double pane window must be 24 inches clear minimum, there must be a 5.7 square foot minimum.
- 14. 10: Code RequirementsThe picture to the left is of the stairs studied. The picture to the right is of the tread dimension, and it measure 11 and ½ inches.The picture to the left is of the riser dimension, and it measures 7 and 5/16 inches. - The IBC code requirements for tread and riser are:Tread: 10 inch minimum.Riser: 7 and ¾ inches maximum.. These stairs meet code.
- 15. 11: Concrete JointsThis is an example of a control joint with a crack in it. A control joint is a groove placed in the concrete which allows for some cracking in the concrete. The goal of the control joint is that the concrete should crack inside the joint and not be readily visible.
- 16. 11: Concrete JointsShown in this picture is an example of an isolation joint. Isolation joints are used to remove stresses due to movement of the column adjoined to the fixed foundation (slab). The joint isolates the column from the concrete slab beneath it. A more detailed photo is shown below.
- 17. 12: Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) are the main component in today’s masonry construction. They serve as foundations, retaining walls, and fireplaces. In this photograph, the CMU is serving as part of the foundation. The typical nominal dimensions of CMU are 8x8x16. This photograph illustrates the 8” height of a CMU by showing that it is three brick courses tall.
- 18. 12: Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU)To the left is an example of a 4” CMU block. To the right is an example of a 12” CMU block.
- 19. 13: Decorative Concrete Masonry Units This is a photo illustrating installed split block.To the right is an example of ribbed block.
- 20. 14: DoorsThe photo to the left is an example of an exterior flush door. The photo to the right is an example of a 6 panel door. The navy blue oval indicates the top rail. The yellow oval indicates the lock rail. The lighter blue oval indicates the bottom rail. The green oval indicates a panel. The orange oval indicates the stile. In the photograph to the left I am pointing to a transom. The photograph to the right displays a sidelight. Both sidelights and transoms allow for light to enter as well as elegant entry.
- 21. 15: Electrical Components This is an underground transformer box. The function of the transformer box is to step down the high voltage received from electric substations.In the picture below, a service head is shown. Service heads receive electricity from a transformer and delivers it to the house.In this picture to the left, I am pointing to a meter. Meters measure the amount of electricity being used in the residence.
- 22. 15: Electrical ComponentsThe picture to the left depicts a service panel. The function of the service panel is to act as a control center for electrical circuits in the house. It contains a main disconnect switch and circuit breakers that act as fuses for each electrical circuit.The photo to the left is of a duplex receptacle. The duplex receptacle transfers electricity from the panel box to the appliance which gets plugged into the receptacle. The photo to the right is a more detailed view.
- 23. 16: Framing Elements1. Anchor Bolt (and sill plate as well)2. Sill Plate3. Floor Joist
- 24. 16: Framing Elements6. Stud 4. Subflooring5. Sole Plate 7. Top Plate
- 25. 16: Framing Elements8. Ceiling Joist10. Roof Decking (from attic)9. Rafter11. Sheathing
- 26. 16: Framing Elements12. Stringer
- 27. 17: Front End LoaderThis is an example of a combination front end loader/backhoe. The end that I am pointing to is the front end loader. A loader is used to load material on the jobsite into or onto another piece of equipment (dump truck, conveyor belt, etc.)
- 28. 18: Gypsum Board This is a photo of gypsum wallboard installed, but not painted. Gypsum board is used to finish walls and ceiling. It is applied to the interior plane of the framing of the house and creates a new plane on which molding and other trim will be applied.
- 29. 19: Heat PumpShown here is both the compressor and condenser. The fans move outside air across coils to cool the refrigerant. It reverses this process in the winter. One advantage of the forced air system is that it can heat the house rapidly. One disadvantage of the forced air system is that the moving air makes noise as it passes through the ducts, supply registers, and the return grills. This is a photo of an air handling unit. Return air enters at the base of the unit, gets filtered, then a fan forces the air through the elements heated by gas flames and through a cooling coil at the top of the unit.
- 30. 20: InsulationThe purpose of thermal insulation is to keep houses cool in the winter and warm in the summer by retarding the passage of heat through the exterior surfaces of the building. It keeps the occupants in the building more comfortable by moderating the temperatures of the interior surfaces and reducing convective drafts. Batt InsulationLoose Fill InsulationFoam InsulationRigid Board Insulation
- 31. 21: LintelThis photograph shows an angle steel lintel. Lintels are used to span openings in walls. This angle steel lintel supports the opening in the brick wall.
- 32. 22: MortarThis is an example of a concave mortar joint. This mortar joint is tooled. The size of the mortar joint is 3/8” thick. This is used on an academic building. My guess is that this mortar is type S (medium high- strength), used for normal compressive loads.
- 33. 22: MortarThis is an example of a flush mortar joint. This mortar joint is troweled. The size of the mortar joint is 3/8” thick. This is used on an academic lab building. My guess is that this mortar is type S (medium high- strength), used for normal compressive loads.
- 34. 23: Oriented Strand Board (OSB) This is a picture of an Oriented Strand Board (OSB). OSB is a nonveneered panel product. It is manufactured by using long, strand like wood particles compressed and glued into three to five layers. Shown here is a 4’ x 8’ piece of OSB.
- 35. 24: Plumbing This is a photograph depicting a lavatory. The size of the piping used to drain lavatories are 1- ½ “.This is a photograph of a “water closet”. The size of the piping used to drain water closets are 3”.
- 36. 24: Plumbing This is a picture that shows a manufactured shower that has been placed while the framing is going up. The studs are up and the shower unit has been installed.
- 37. 24: Plumbing This is a picture of a plumbing roof vent. Vent Through Roof piping supplies air so that draining water cannot create a suction to pull water out of the p-trap.
- 38. 24: PlumbingThis is an example of an under mount sink.
- 39. 25: Plywood This is a picture of a 4’x8 piece of plywood. Plywood is a wood panel product which is manufactured by gluing thin wood veneers together. The grain on the front and back run in the same direction. There are always an odd number of layers in plywood. A ‘veneer’ is a thin layer, sheet, or facing.
- 40. 26: Radiant Barrier A radiant barrier is a reflective piece of material that inhibits heat transfer by radiation. It is installed at the roof line/ceiling. It does not protect against conduction or convection.
- 41. 27: RebarThe purpose of the deformations in rebar are to help it bond tightly to the concrete.
- 42. 28: Steep Roof DrainageIn the picture to the left I am pointing to a gutter. Gutters remove rainwater and snowmelt from the roof.I am pointing to the downspout in this picture. The downspout transports the rainwater or snowmelt from the gutter and does not allow it to touch the walls or erode the ground below.In the picture above, I am pointing to the splash block. The splash block helps minimize the erosion of the ground beneath the downspout, as well as directs the rainwater or snowmelt away from the building.
- 43. 29: Steep Roof MaterialsThe building below is in the stage of the construction process where the underlayment can still be seen. Underlayment is a layer of waterproof material placed between the sheathing and roof material. Here it is protecting the roof from water infiltration.This is a picture of a clay tile roof.
- 44. 29: Steep Roof MaterialsShown below is an example of a slate shingle roof. A shingle is a small unit of water-resistant material nailed in overlapping fashion with many other such units to render a wall or sloping roof watertight.
- 45. 29: Steep Roof MaterialsIn the picture below, I am pointing to a metal panel roof. Materials used to make metal panels roofs include: enamel coated galvanized steel, copper, lead coated copper, stainless steel, terne, and terne coated stainless steel. If I had to guess, I would say that this is probably enamel coated galvanized steel.
- 46. 30: Steep Roof ShapesThis is a picture of a gambrel roof.This is a picture of a gable roof.
- 47. 30: Steep Roof ShapesThis is an example of a mansard roof.This is an example of a hip roof.
- 48. 31: Steep Roof TermsRakeRidgeValleyEaveSoffitFascia
- 49. 31: Steep Roof TermsDefinitionsRidge- the level intersection of roof planes at their highest point. Valley- the sloping intersection of two roof planes.Eave- the level, low edge of a roof. Rake- the sloping edge of a roof.Soffit- the undersurface of a horizontal element of a building, especially the underside of a stair or overhang.Fascia- the exposed vertical face of an eave.
- 50. 31: Steep Roof Terms This is a part of a building without a fascia.
- 51. 32: StoneRandom RubbleRandom AshlarCoursed RubbleCoursed Ashlar
- 52. 33: Vapor Retarder This is an example of a vapor retarder. The function of the vapor retarder is to diminish the flow of air and vapor through the building assembly, preventing the moisture from reaching the point in the assembly where it would be able to condense. Vapor retarders are most commonly installed on the warmer side of the insulation layer.
- 53. 34: Waterproofing This is a picture of waterproofing. Waterproofing is applied to resist standing water under pressure. Waterproofing is applied where the house may be below grade and/or have direct contact with water for an amount of time that is unfavorable. This waterproofing falls under the category of loosely laid.
- 54. 35: Weep HoleIn this picture, I am pointing to a weep hole. A weep hole is a small opening whose purpose is to permit the drainage of water that accumulates behind a building. Here, the weep hole is located near the ground of this residence and is serving its purpose.
- 55. 36: Welded Wire FabricIn this photograph, I am pointing to WWF that has been laid down on the foundation and is waiting for concrete to be poured. After the concrete has been poured, the WWF acts as reinforcing to hold the concrete in place. This WWF measures 4” x 4”.
- 56. 37: WindowsThis is an out swinging casement window because it is hinged along one side at the bottom and swings outward.The picture below is of a double hung window because both sashes are free to move. Both sashes slide vertically in tracks located on each side.This is an example of a sliding window because it moves in tracks located horizontally at the top and bottom of the window.