Laminate Wood
A product made by bonding layers of wood or other material to a wood substrate.
Laminate
A material made by bonding several layers of material.
Lacquer
A fast-drying clear or pigmented coating that dries by solvent evaporation.
Label Service (UL)
Program allowing a manufacturer to place Underwriters Laboratories Inc. labels on his products that have met UL requirements. A UL representative visits the manufacturing location to obtain samples of the products for testing by UL. In some cases, samples are also purchased on the open market for testing. The public is thereby assured that products bearing the UL label continually meet UL specifications.
Laminated Veneer Lumber
A structural lumber manufactured from wood veneers so that the grain of all veneers runs parallel to the axis of the member.
Laminated shingles
Shingles that have added dimensionality because of extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance. May also be called "architectural shingles" or "three-dimensional shingles."
Laminated Glass
Glass panels that have outer layers of glass laminated to an inner layer of transparent plastic.
Latent Heat
Heat involved with the action of changing the state of a substance, such as changing water to steam.
Latch
- A beveled metal tongue operated by a spring-loaded knob or lever. The tongue's bevel lets you close the door and engage the locking mechanism, if any, without using a key. Contrasts with dead bolt.
Lap
To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.
Landing Zone, Elevator
The area 18 inches (5490 mm) above or below the landing floor.
Landing
A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction. Normally no less than 3 ft. X 3 ft. square.
Lamp
A general term used to describe the source of artificial light. Often called a bulb or tube.
Laminating
- Bonding together two or more layers of materials.
Ledger Strip
A strip of lumber nailed along the bottom of the side of a girder on which joists rest. Strip fastened to the bottom edge of a flush girder to help support the floor joists.
Ledger (for a Structural Floor)
The wooden perimeter frame lumber member that bolts onto the face of a foundation wall and supports the wood structural floor.
Leaks (Sound)
Small openings at electrical boxes and plumbing, cracks around doors, loose-fitting trim and closures all create leaks that allow sound to pass through, reducing the acoustical isolation of a wall, floor or ceiling system.
Lead
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the environmental levels of lead have increased more than 1000-fold over the last three centuries, due almost exclusively to human activities. Lead exposure is damaging to virtually every organ and system in the human body, but is particularly damaging to the brain and central nervous system—profoundly so for young children and developing fetuses. Lead exposure is correlated with decreased IQ and delayed learning in children; scientific research has identified no safe level of lead exposure, and effects are irreversible. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Lattice
An open framework of criss-crossed wood or metal strips that form regular, patterned spaces.
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. The base material for the application of plaster.