Word | Definition |
A measure of the electrical requirement of an appl | An abbreviation for water closet (toilet). |
A/C | An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning. |
A/C Circuit | (Alternating Current) The flow of current through a conductor first in one direction then in reverse. It is used exclusively in residential and commercial wiring because it provides greater flexibility in voltage selection and simplicity of equipment design |
A/C Condenser | The outside fan unit of the Air Conditioning system. It removes the heat from the freon gas and "turns" the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid back to the coil in the furnace. |
A/C Disconnect | The main electrical ON-OFF switch near the A/C Condenser. |
AAMA | Architectural Aluminum Manufacturer’s Association. |
Above-Grade | The portion of a building that is above ground level. |
Accelerator | Any material added to stucco, plaster or mortar which speeds up the natural set |
Acre | 43,500 square feet |
Adhesion | The property of a coating or sealant to bond to the surface to which it is applied. |
Adhesive Failure | Loss of bond of a coating or sealant from the surface to which it is applied. |
Aerator | The round screened screw-on tip of a sink spout. It mixes water and air for a smooth flow. |
Aggregate | A mixture of sand and stone and a major component of concrete |
Air Filters | Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers that are coated with adhesive liquid to which the particles of lint and dust adhere. These filters will remove as much as 90% of the dirt if they do not become clogged. The more common filters are of the throwaway or disposable type |
Air Infiltration | The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors |
Air space | The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1" air gap |
Alligatoring | A condition of paint or aged asphalt brought about by the loss of volatile oils and the oxidation caused by solar radiation. "Alligatoring" produces a pattern of cracks resembling an alligator hide and is ultimately the result of the limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion or contraction |
Allowance(s) | A sum of money set aside in the construction contract for items which have not been selected and specified in the construction contract. For example, selection of tile as a flooring may require an allowance for an underlayment material, or an electrical allowance which sets aside an amount of money to be spent on electrical fixtures |
Aluminum Wire | Conductors made of aluminum for carrying electricity. Aluminum generally is limited to the larger wire sizes. Due to its lower conductivity, aluminum wire smaller than No. 12 is not made. Aluminum is lighter and less expensive than copper but not as good a conductor. It also breaks easily |
Ammeter | Device to measure the current flowing in a circuit |
AMPS (Ampheres) | The rate at which electricity flows through a conductor |
Anchor bolts | Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall. |
Angle Iron | A piece of iron that forms a right angle and is used to span openings and support masonry at the openings. In brick veneer, they are used to secure the veneer to the foundation. Also known as shelf angle. |
Annealing | – In the manufacturing of float glass, it is the process of controlled cooling done in a lehr to prevent residual stresses in the glass. Re-annealing is the process of removing objectionable stresses in glass by re-heating to a suitable temperature followed by controlled cooling. |
Anti-Walk Blocks | Elastomeric blocks that limit lateral glass movement in the glazing channel which may result from thermal, seismic, wind load effects, building movement, and other forces that may apply. |
Appraisal | An expert evaluation of property |
Aproach | The area between the sidewalk and the street that leads to a driveway or the transition from the street as you approach a driveway |
Apron | A trim board that is installed beneath a window sill |
Architect | One who has completed a course of study in building and design, and is licensed by the state as an architect. One who draws up plans. |
Architects Rule (ruler) | Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a "scale." |
Area wells | Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed around a basement window to hold back the earth |
Asphalt | A dark brown to black, highly viscous, hydrocarbon produced from the residue left after the distillation of petroleum. Asphalt is used on roofs and highways as a waterproofing agent |
Assessment | A tax levied on a property, or a value placed on the worth of a property. |
Astragal | A molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging double doors, against which the other door strikes |
Attic access | An opening that is placed in the drywalled ceiling of a home providing access to the attic |
Attic Ventilators | In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate an attic space. |
