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Understanding Construction Terminology from A-Z.
6/19/24 | By: William Nartowicz

Demystifying Common Construction Terms.
Navigating the construction world can be daunting with its array of specific and technical terms. These phrases often describe design elements, architectural styles, or have unique industry-specific definitions.

To help you feel more at ease, here’s a complied list of essential construction terms and their meanings. Whether you’re new to the field or just looking to brush up on your knowledge, this guide will help you understand the language of construction professionals.

ATRIUM

An atrium is any interior volume in a building. Atriums are like interior courtyards, but they are typically enclosed and conditioned as opposed to open to the elements. These spaces are often a major feature and shared space in a building.

BIOMIMICRY

Biomimicry is when architecture copies processes or forms found in nature. Biomimicry is used in architecture both for aesthetics and for buildings functions. A building’s system for conditioning air might mimic a forest for efficiency. Columns may be designed to look like trees simply for aesthetics.

CANTILEVER

A cantilever is the portion of a building that protrudes out. Some cantilevers are simple, like when a deck pushes out just a bit past the last beam. Other examples of a cantilever can be extreme—like when massive portions of a building seem to defy gravity with no support where it cantilevers. The common rule for cantilevers is 1/3 of a section can overhang and 2/3 of a section is supported.

DAMPPROOFING

The black tar like waterproofing material applied to the exterior of a foundation wall.

ENVELOPE

In architecture, a building envelope refers to the exterior walls of a building. It includes all exterior walls, roof systems, apertures, and anything else that separates the interior of the building from the exterior of the building.

FROSTLINE

The depth of frost penetration in soil and or the depth at which the earth will freeze and swell.  This depth varies in different parts of the country.

GLUE LAMINATED BEAM (GLULAM)

A structural beam composed of wood laminations or lams. The lams are pressure bonded with adhesives to attain a particular thickness. (This appears as many layers of 2x framing glued together.)

INFILTRATION

The passage of air from indoors to outdoors and vice versa; term is usually associated with drafts from cracks, seams or holes in buildings.

JAMB

The sides and lining of a doorway, window or other opening. Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.

KEYSTONE

The keystone, the center wedge shaped piece of masonry at the center of as arch. It keeps all the other pieces in place and helps keep the arch structurally sound.

LINTEL

A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.

MULLION

Mullions are the vertical members that separate portions of a window, screen, or curtain wall. Mullions support the structure of the window and allow for smaller portions of glass.

NEWEL POST

The large starting post to which the end of a stair guard railing is fastened.

OUTRIGGER

An extension or a rafter beyond the wall line. Usually, a member nailed to a larger rafter to form a cornice or roof overhang.

PARAPET

A parapet is a low boundary along the edge of a roof that acts as a railing for people that might fall over the edge.

QUARTER ROUND

A small trim molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle.

REGISTER

A grill placed over a heating duct or cold air return.

SOLAR GAIN

Solar gain is the amount of sunlight that enters a building or hits a material. It is an important consideration in architecture because sunlight brings in natural light, but it also heats the building. Minimizing solar gain is often necessary to improve the cooling of a building.

THRESHOLD

The bottom metal or wood plate of an exterior door frame, or marble or vinyl at in interior door frame.

UNDERLAYMENT

A thin material placed over the subfloor and under finish coverings, such as vinyl flooring to provide a smooth, even surface. Also, a secondary roofing layer that is water resistant, installed on the roof deck and beneath shingles or other roof finish layer.

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 slow the movement of water vapor into the wall/ceiling cavity and prevent condensation within them.

WALK-THROUGH

An inspection of a building before ending the project to look for and document any issues that need to be corrected.

YARD OF CONCRETE

One cubic yard of concrete is 3’x3’x3’ in volume, or 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of concrete will pour 80 square feet of 3 ½” thick sidewalk or floor.

ZONE

The section of a building that is served by one heating or cooling loop because it has distinct heating or cooling needs.

William Nartowicz
Senior Architectural Project Manager

About the Author:  William has extensive experience managing residential, commercial, and institutional renovation projects. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling New England, hiking, fishing, ice skating, and exploring local eateries, with a particular fondness for New Hampshire's strong hockey community and numerous lakes and trails.

Jewett Construction through its licensed division Jewett Design LLC. (“Jewett”) provides architectural services.