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.
Knot
In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece.
Knitted Construction
Carpet formed by looping pile yarn, stitching, and backing together.
Laminate
A material made by bonding several layers of material.
Lacquer
A fast-drying clear or pigmented coating that dries by solvent evaporation.
Kinetic Energy
The energy of a body with respect to the motion of the body.
King stud
The vertical "2 X's" frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.
Laminate Wood
A product made by bonding layers of wood or other material to a wood substrate.
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 Glass
Glass panels that have outer layers of glass laminated to an inner layer of transparent plastic.
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."
Laminating
- Bonding together two or more layers of materials.
Lamp
A general term used to describe the source of artificial light. Often called a bulb or tube.
Lap
To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.
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.
Latent Heat
Heat involved with the action of changing the state of a substance, such as changing water to steam.
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.
Landing Zone, Elevator
The area 18 inches (5490 mm) above or below the landing floor.
Lateral Loads
Loads moving in a horizontal direction, such as the wind.
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.