Chimney - A vertical masonry shaft of reinforced concrete or other approved, noncombustible, heat-resiting material enclosing one or more flues. It removes the products of combustion from solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.

Flue Liner - The flue is the hole in the chimney. The liner, usually of terra cotta, protects the brick from harmful smoke gases.

Chimney Cap - This top generally of concrete. it protects the brick from weather.

Chimney Flashing - Sheet-metal flashing provides a tight joint between chimney and roof.

Firebrick - An ordinary brick cannot withstand the heat of direct fire, so special firebrick is used to line the fireplace.

Ash Dump - A trap door to let the ashes drop to a pit below, from where they may be easily removed.

Cleanout Door - The door to the ash pit or the bottom of a chimney through which the chimney can be cleaned.

Chimney Breast - The inside face or front of a fireplace chimney.

Hearth - The floor of a fireplace that extends into the room for safety purposes.

Ridge - The top intersection of two opposite adjoining roof surfaces.

Ridge Board - The board that follows along the ridge.

Roof Rafters - The structural members that support the roof.

Collar Beam - Really not a beam at all. A tie that keeps the roof from spreading. Connects similar rafters on opposite side of roof.

Roof Insulation - An insulating material (usually rock wool or fiberglass) in a blanket form placed between the roof rafters for the purpose of keeping a house warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

Roof Sheathing - The boards that provide the base for the finished roof.

Roofing - The wood, asphalt or asbestos, shingles-or tile, slate or metal-that form the outer protection against the weather.

Cornice - A decorative element made up of molded members usually plced at or near the top of an exterior or interior wall.

Gutter - The trough that gathers rainwater from the roof.

Downspout - The pipe that leads the water down from the gutter.

Storm Sewer Tile - The underground pipe that receives the water from the downspouts and carries it to the sewer.

Gable - The triangular end of a building with a sloping roof.

Barrage Board - The fascia or board at the gable just under the edge of the roof.

Louvers - A series of slanted slots arranged to keep out rain, yet allow ventilation.

Corner Post - The vertical member at the corner of the frame, made up to receive inner and outer covering materials.

Studs - The vertical wood members of the house, usually 2" x 4" generally spaced every 16".

Still - The board that is laid first on the foundation and on which the frames rest.

Plate - The board laid across the top ends of the stud to hold them even and rigid.

Corner Bracing - Diagonal strips to keep the frame square and plumb.

Sheathing - The first layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs.

Joist - The structural members of beams that hold up the floor or ceiling, usually 2" x 10" or 2" x 12" spaced 16" apart.

Bridging - Cross bridging or solid. Members at the middle or third points of joist spans to brace one to the next and to prevent their twisting.

Subflooring - The rough boards that are laid over the joist; usually laid diagonally.

Flooring Paper - A felt paper laid on the rough floor to stop air infiltration and, to some extent, noise.

Finish Flooring - Usualy hardwood, of tongued and grooved strips.

Building Paper - Paper placed outside the sheathing, not as a vapor barrier, but to prevent water and air from leaking in. Building paper is also used as a tarred felt under shingles or siding to keep out moisture or wind.

Bevelded Siding - Sometimes called clapboards, with a thick butt and a thin upper edge lapped to shed water.

Wall Insulation - A blanket of wool or reflective foil placed inside the walls.

Metal Lath - A mesh made from sheet metal onto which plater is applied.

Finished Grade Line - The top of the ground at the foundation.

Foundation Wall - The wall of poured concrete (shown) or concrete blocks that rests on the footing and supports the remainder of the house.

Termite Shield - A metal baffle to prevent termites from entering the frame.

Footing - The concrete pad that carries the entire weight of the house upon the earth.

Footing Drain Tile - A pipe with cracks at the joints to allow underground water to drain in and away before it gets into the basement.

Basement Floor Slab - The 4" or 5" layer of concrete that forms the basement floor.

Gravel Fill - Placed under the slab to allow drainage and to guard against a damp floor.

Girder - A main beam upon which floor joists rest. Usually of steel, but also of wood.

Backfill - Earth, once dug out, that has been replaced and tamped down around the foundation.

Areaway - An open space to allow light and air to a window. Also called a light well.

Area Wall - The wall of metal or concrete that forms the open area.

Window - An opening in a building for admitting light and air. It usually has a pane or panes of glass and is set in a frame or sash that is generally movable for opening opening and shutting.

Window Frame - The lining of the window opening.

Window Sash - The inner frame, usually movable, that holds the glass.

Lintel - The structural beam over a window or door opening.

Window Casing - The decorative strips surrounding a window opening on the inside.

Entrance Canopy - A roof extending over the entrance door.

Furring - Creating an airspace with thin strips of wood or metal before adding boards or plaster.

Stair Tread - The horizontal strip where we put our foot when we climb up the stairs.

Stair Riser - The vertical board connecting one tread to the next.

Stair Stringer - The sloping board that supports the ends of the steps.

Newel - The post that terminates the railing.

Stair Rail - The bar used for a handhold when we use the stairs.

Balusters - Vertical rods or spindles supporting a rail.

Slab on Grade - Primary flooring concrete.

Garage Door and electric opener

Stucco Concrete Wall Cladding