Torsion Test
A test used to ascertain the behavior of materials subject to torsion.
Toxic (Toxicant)
A poisonous substance that is naturally occurring (e.g., arsenic), synthetic (e.g., bisphenol A), or produced by a living organism (i.e., a toxin). https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Torsion Strength
The maximum stress a material will withstand before fracturing under a twisting force.
Topcoat
The final coat of paint.
Transformer
An electrical device used to convert an incoming electric current from one voltage to another voltage.
Toughness
A measure of the ability of a material to absorb energy from a blow or shock without fracturing.
Toxicity
The degree to which a substance can cause harm. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Torque
A twisting or rotating action.
Top plate
Top horizontal member of a frame wall supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other members.
Toxin
A poisonous substance produced by a living organism, such as a snake, bee, or fungus. Toxins are a subclass of toxicants. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Trap
A plumbing fitting that holds water to prevent air, gas, and vermin from backing up into a fixture. A device used to maintain a water seal against sewer gases that back up the waste pipe. Usually, each fixture has a trap.
Transparency
Open, comprehensive and understandable presentation of information. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Transmitter (garage door)
The small, push button device that causes the garage door to open or close.
Tread
The walking surface board in a stairway on which the foot is placed. Horizontal plane or surface of a stair step.
Transmission Loss (TL)
Essentially the amount, in decibels, by which sound power is attenuated by passing from one side of a structure to the other. TL is independent of the rooms on each side of the structure and theoretically independent of the area and edge conditions of the structure.
Treated lumber
A wood product which has been impregnated with chemical pesticides such as CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) to reduce damage from wood rot or insects. Often used for the portions of a structure which are likely to be in contact with soil and water. Wood may also be treated with a fire retardant.
Troweling
Producing a final smooth finish on freshly poured concrete with a steel-bladed tool after the concrete has been floated.
Trimmer
The vertical stud that supports a header at a door, window, or other opening. Double joists or rafters framing the opening of a stairway well, dormer opening, etc.
Trim (plumbing, heating, electrical)
The work that the "mechanical" contractors perform to finish their respective aspects of work, and when the home is nearing completion and occupancy.
Trim- Interior
The finish materials in a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice, and other moldings). Also, the physical work of installing interior doors and interior woodwork, to include all handrails, guardrails, stair way balustrades, mantles, light boxes, base, door casings, cabinets, countertops, shelves, window sills and aprons, etc. ExteriorThe finish materials on the exterior a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim), siding, windows, exterior doors, attic vents, crawl space vents, shutters, etc. Also, the physical work of installing these materials