The black, tar like waterproofing material applied to the exterior of a foundation wall.

A groove cut into a board or panel intended to receive the edge of a connecting board or panel.

A metal "door" placed within the fireplace chimney. Normally closed when the fireplace is not in use. A movable vane used to vary the volume of air passing through a duct, inlet, or outlet.

Load on a building element contributed by the weight of the building materials.

A tool used to level concrete in a form after it has been screeded.

A control mechanism used to operate a mechanical ventilation system based upon the relative humidity in the home.

The fixed, non-operable window section of a window unit.

The end of a pipe (the terminal end) that is not attached to anything.

The ability of a material to absorb vibrational energy.

A unit for measuring sound energy or power. Adopted for convenience in representing vastly different sound pressures.

Describing trees that shed their leaves annually, as opposed to evergreen.

An exterior security lock installed on exterior entry doors that can be activated only with a key or thumb-turn. Unlike a latch, which has a beveled tongue, dead bolts have square ends.

Breach of a mortgage contract (not making the required payments).

Maximum allowable deflection is dictated by the bending limit of the finish material under the required design load (e.g., usually 5 psf for interior partitions).

A written instrument that is used to transfer real property from one party to another.

An electrical circuit that serves only one appliance (i.e., dishwasher) or a series of electric heaters or smoke detectors.

Separation of elements to reduce or eliminate the transfer of sound, heat or physical loads from one element to the other.

The removal of water vapor from the air.

Displacement that occurs when a load is applied to a member or assembly. The dead load of the member or assembly itself causes some deflection as may occur in roofs or floors at mid-span. Under applied wind loads maximum deflection occurs at mid-height in partitions and walls.

The number of degrees that the mean temperature for any day at a particular locatoin is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.