Base shoe
Molding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip.
Basement window inserts
The window frame and glass unit that is installed in the window buck.
Bat
- A half-brick.
Beam
A structural member transversely supporting a load. A structural member carrying building loads (weight) from one support to another. Sometimes called a "girder". A straight horizontal structural loadbearing member spanning a distance between supports.
Bay window
Any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan.
Batt
A section of fiber-glass or rock-wool insulation measuring 15 or 23 inches wide by four to eight feet long and various thicknesses. Sometimes "faced" (meaning to have a paper covering on one side) or "unfaced" (without paper).
Batten
Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards. Narrow strip of wood, plastic, metal or gypsum board used to conceal an open joint.
Bauxite
Ore containing high percentages of aluminum oxide.
Batch
The amount of concrete mixed at one time.
BCMC
Board for the Coordination of Model Codes; part of the Council of American Building Officials Association (CABO).
Bearing Pile
A pile that carries a vertical load.
Bearing header
(a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A wood lintel. (c) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for example over a door or window).
Bearing
Support area upon which something rests, such as the point on bearing walls where the weight of the floor joist or roof rafter bears.
Bearing Wall
A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight. A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to it's own weight.
Bearing partition
A partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Bearing Plate
A steel plate placed under a beam, column, or truss to distribute the end reaction from the beam to the supporting member.
Bearing point
A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation
Bed
To set firmly and permanently in place.
Bearing Capacity
The ability of a soil to support load.
Bedrock
A subsurface layer of earth that is suitable to support a structure. The hard, solid rock formation at or below the surface of the earth.