Valuation fee
- The fee paid by the prospective borrower for the lender's inspection of the property. Normally paid upon loan application.
Valuation
An inspection carried out for the benefit of the mortgage lender to ascertain if a property is a good security for a loan.
Valley flashing
Sheet metal that lays in the "V" area of a roof valley.
Valley
The "V" shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet. Water drains off the roof at the valleys. The intersection of two inclined surfaces.
Valence
The points on an atom to which valences of other elements can bond.
Vapor barrier
A building product installed on exterior walls and ceilings under the drywall and on the warm side of the insulation. It is used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation within them. Normally, polyethylene plastic sheeting is used.
Vent Stack
That part of the soil stack above the highest vent branch.
Veneer Gypsum Base
A gypsum board product designed to serve as the base for the application of gypsum veneer plaster.
Veneer Plaster
Calcined gypsum plaster specially formulated to provide specific workability, strength, hardness and abrasion resistance characteristics when applied in thin coats (1/16" to 3/32" nom.) over veneer gypsum base or other approved base. The term thin coat plaster is sometimes used in reference to veneer plaster.
Variable rate
An interest rate that will vary over the term of the loan.
Velvet Construction
Carpet formed by joining the pile, stuffer, and weft yarns with double warp yarns.
Varnish
A thin sheet of material used to cover another surface.
Vapor Retarder
Material used to slow the flow of water vapor through walls and other spaces where this vapor may condense at a lower temperature.
Vehicle
The liquid portion of a paint composed mainly of solvents, resins, or oils.
Veneer
Extremely thin sheets of wood. Also a thin slice of wood or brick or stone covering a framed wall. A thin sheet of material used to cover another surface.
Vent
A pipe or duct which allows the flow of air and gasses to the outside. Also, another word for the moving glass part of a window sash, i.e. window vent.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Compounds released to the atmosphere as a coating dries.
Vertical Shear
The tendency of one part of a member to move vertically in relationship to the adjacent part.
Void
Cardboard rectangular boxes that are installed between the earth (between caissons) and the concrete foundation wall. Used when expansive soils are present.
Visqueen
- A 4 mil or 6 mil plastic sheeting.