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Glossary
Getting your home remodeled, upgraded, or worked on in any way can be an intimidating task for many home-owners. At Phoenix Home Services we want to simplify that process. Because construction and remodeling comes with a wide array of terminology -- footers, band-board, rendering, and so much more -- we've compiled a short-list of some need-to-know terms for anyone planning a home construction project.Baluster
/ˈbaləstər/A short pillar or column, typically decorative in design, in a series supporting a rail or coping.
Band-Board
/bandˌbôrd/The perimeter floor joist that sits atop the sill in a wood floor framing system.
Basket Weave Pattern
/ˈbaskət wēv/A pattern that simulates rows of pavers being interlaced, resembling basketwork.
Cantilever
/ˈkan(t)lˌēvər/A rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at only one end to a (usually vertical) support from which it is protruding; this could also be a perpendicular connection to a flat vertical surface such as a wall.
Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing, in contrast to constructions supported at both ends with loads applied between the supports, such as a simply supported beam found in a post and lintel system.
Composite
/kəmˈpäzət/A material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.
Cricket
/ˈkrikit/A cricket, or saddle, is a ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof around the high side of a chimney or the transition from one roof area to another; the cricket is normally the same pitch as the rest of the roof, but not always.
Cupola
/ˈkyo͞opələ/A small dome, especially a small dome on a drum on top of a larger dome, adorning a roof or ceiling.
Footer
/ˈfo͝odər/The supporting base or groundwork of a structure, as for a monument or wall.
French Pattern
/fren(t)SH/A pattern composed of four different sized tiles, two squares and two rectangles, with one of each being larger and smaller in size; also known as Versailles Pattern.
Herringbone Pattern
/ˈheriNGˌbōn/An arrangement of rectangles used for floor tilings and road pavement, so as to resemble the bones in a fish.
Lintel
/ˈlin(t)l/A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.
Pavers
/ˈpāvər/A paving stone, typically made of natural stone, brick, or concrete, usually used in groups to cover a path or an area.
Pergola
/ˈpərɡələ/A structure usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters.
Portico
/ˈpôrdəˌkō/A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building.
Portland Cement
/pôrtland səˈment/A cement that is manufactured from limestone and clay and that hardens under water.
Rendering
/ˈrend(ə)riNG/A work of visual art, especially a detailed architectural drawing.
Running Bond Pattern
/ˈrəniNG bänd/A pattern where the brick is stacked directly on top of each other as well as side by side, with the joints breaking at the center of each brick immediately above and below.
Sump Pump
/səmp pəmp/A pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, commonly found in the basements of homes.
Transom
/ˈtran(t)səm/A window set above the transom of a door or larger window; a fanlight.
Travertine
/ˈtravərtēn/A mineral consisting of layered calcium carbonate (such as aragonite or calcite) formed by deposition from spring waters or especially from hot springs.
Wrought Iron
/rôt ˈī(ə)rn/A tough, malleable form of iron suitable for forging or rolling rather than casting, obtained by puddling pig iron while molten. It is nearly pure but contains some slag in the form of filaments.