backwater valve: a valve set in a lateral sewer line which
automatically prevents sewage from flowing back to its
source; an anti-siphon valve for sewer lines
balloon framing: type of framing for a two story building in
which the studs extend from ground to roof, the second floor
being supported by nailing the horizontal supports (joists) to the studs and
by use of a ribbon or ledger board
baluster: supporting posts of a handrail in a staircase
balustrade: a hand or guardrail held up by small posts
called balusters
baseboard: any board or molding covering an interior
wall where it meets the floor (installation of baseboards is not a code
requirement and is an option of the builder)
base-shoe: a small molding fastened to the bottom edge
of the baseboard where it meets the floor
basically: fundamentally; primarily
batten: a narrow strip (usually wood) used to cover
seams between siding boards (battens ordinarily run top to bottom)
beam: a horizontal member of a structure used to
support other structural members, unless installed for cosmetics (may be made
of any building material)
bearing: supporting a load such as a roof or floor
bearing wall: a wall that supports weight of a structure as
well as its own weigh
berm: a mound used to control drainage by diverting
all or part of the flow
bollard: one or more short posts for excluding or
diverting motor vehicles from a road, lawn, gas appliance or the like; a protective
device.
braced framing: reinforced with diagonal braces
breach: to break open, to make less than whole or
solid
breezeway: a covering that extends from the house over a
walk or driveway to and from a garage or other structure (usually a
breezeway roof is part of the house roof)
brick: building material usually made from clay that
is molded and heat treated
BTU: (British Thermal Unit) unit of heat needed to
raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit
building code: a set of laws which govern the construction
of buildings, designs, materials used, use, repairs,
remodeling, and/or other similar factors
building paper: a waterproof, heavy paper, used in the
construction of a roof or wall that helps to prevent water that
may pass through the siding, or roofing material, from entering the ceiling
or wall cavity
building permit: a permit issued by the local government to
construct a building, or make improvements
built-ins: most over includes items such as stoves,
ovens, dishwashers and other appliances that are not designed to stand alone
built-up roof: a roof that is usually near level or flat,
composed of layers of roofing materials (tar and
waterproof paper) covered with gravel or a final cap sheet
