Home Inspection Terms
Home Inspection Glossary

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wainscoting: the covering of an interior wall with wood (usually panels), tiles, etc., from the floor to a point about half way to the ceiling;  the remaining portion is painted, wallpapered, or covered with another material different from the lower portion. Exterior uses of wainscoting are popular in some western areas with brick and stucco combinations. 

wall: structured partition, whether bearing or not

wallboard: a sheet, usually 4' x 8 to 12', of gypsum or similar material, which is attached to the studs (frame) of a wall and forms a surface which can be finished (painted, wallpapered, etc.)

wall cavity: the space between the wall coverings with the exception of the framing supporting the wall coverings

wall furnace: a small furnace, whether electric or gas, fitting between the studs of a wall, and heating without ducts by gravity or utilizing a small internal fan for circulating. Some wall furnaces are mounted against the wall and are "boxed" in.

weep holes: holes built in or cut into retaining walls in which water will seep through to alleviate the damaging effect of the water to the wall; holes found in the bottom of stucco

weep screed; the openings at the bottom edge of windows that allow water to drain out of the window channel (weep holes are designed to allow the relief of moisture or water)

Western framing: a type of framing in which the studding for each floor rests on a separate sill rather than ground to roof as in balloon framing (also called platform framing)

wire glass: a pane of glass embedded with wire to strengthen it and prevent it from shattering (flying) in the event it is broken 

workmanship: skill of a workman or quality of ones' work usually in comparison with another

wythe: a partition in a chimney which contains more than one flue, separating the flues