As someone who never studied construction academically, learning a new whole set of industry specific jargon was challenging. So I wanted to put together a simple post of construction terms and their uses to help out my readers. Now this list is nowhere near being comprehensive, but it’s a simple A-Z with the most common words I have come across so far in my line of work. I got these proper definitions from Frank over at www.HomeBuildingManual.com and want to give them credit for their fine work. Happy reading!
Construction Terminology A-M:
Aggregate– A mixture of sand and stone and a major component of concrete. This is what makes up the majority of the volume of concrete. This is what the cement paste binds to.
Back Charge– In construction there are times where one trade does damage to another on the same project. This could be either a monetary cost or time cost. Therefore the trade receiving the damage sometimes chooses to “back charge”, or send a bill of the damages, to the offending party. Examples of back charges include charges for cleanup work or to repair something damaged by another subcontractor.
C
Contractor– A company licensed to perform certain types of construction activities. In most states, the generals contractor’s license and some specialty contractor’s licenses don’t require of compliance with bonding, workmen’s compensation and similar regulations. Some of the specialty contractor licenses involve extensive training, testing and/or insurance requirements. There are various types of contractors:
- General contractor – This is where I personally work. As the GC we’re responsible for the execution, supervision and overall coordination of a project and may also perform some of the individual construction tasks. Most general contractors are not licensed to perform all specialty trades and must hire specialty contractors for such tasks, e.g. electrical, plumbing.
- Sub contractor – a general or specialty contractor who works for another general contractor.
Drywall (or Gypsum Wallboard, Sheet rock or Plasterboard)– Wall board or gypsum- A manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually ½” or ⅝” thick and 4′ x 8′ or 4′ x 12′ in size. The panels are nailed or screwed onto the framing and the joints are taped and covered with a ‘joint compound’.
Estimate– The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor’s bid proposal for the project.
As a Project Engineer, field measuring is a large part of your daily routine
Field measure– To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs, shower doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints. If you’re a Project Engineer or Field Engineer, this is something you’re going to do a lot of.
GFCI– Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter- an ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and “wet areas”. Has a small reset button on the plug. Most sites have this for the electrical equipment as an added safety measure.
Hardware– All of the “metal” fittings that go into the home when it is near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers, etc.
I-beam– A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings. These are used as your structural component to suspended decks which get concrete poured over them.
Jamb– The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening. Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.
King stud– The vertical frame lumber or metal stud (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate. These are also stuffed with insulation.
Lath– A building material of narrow wood, metal, gypsum, or insulating board that is fastened to the frame of a building to act as a base for plaster, shingles, or tiles.
Masonry– Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other similar building units or materials. Normally bonded together with mortar to form a wall or be used as a decorative veneer.
Until Next Time…
I hope you enjoyed this first part of “Construction Terminology”, I want to reiterate and give credit to www.HomeBuildingManual.com for providing such accurate and concise definitions for these terms. I recommend anyone reading to go check them out, they have many more terms on their site than here. I’ll definitely do a second part for this series to complete the alphabet, but until then I recommend you check out my last post.
-E J
