Word | Definition |
Earthquake Strap | A metal strap used to secure gas hot water heaters to the framing or foundation of a house. Intended to reduce the chances of having the water heater fall over in an earthquake and causing a gas leak. |
Eaves | The horizontal exterior roof overhang. |
Edge Clearance | Nominal spacing between the edge of the glass product and the bottom of the glazing pocket (channel). |
Edge Metal | term relating to brake or extruded metal around the perimeter of a roof. |
EER | Energy Efficiency Ratio; is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts. |
Effloresence | The process by which water leeches soluble salts out of concrete or mortar and deposits them on the surface. Also used as the name for these deposits. |
Egress | A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement. Normally a 4' X 4' window is the minimum size required |
EIFS | Exterior Insulating Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco |
Elbow (ell) | A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit. |
Electric lateral | The trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the electric service to a home. |
Electric resistance coils | Metal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters. |
Electrical entrance package | - The entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the 'strike' or location where the overhead or underground electrical lines connect to the house, (2) The meter which measures how much power is used and (3) The 'panel' or 'circuit breaker box ' (or 'fuse box') where the power can be shut off and where overload devices such a fuses or circuit breakers and located. |
Electrical Rough | Work performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all electrical wires, and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (before insulation). |
Electrical Trim | Work performed by the electrical contractor when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance "pig tails", bath ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and "makes up" the electric house panel. The electrician does all work necessary to get the home ready for and to pass the municipal electrical final inspection |
Elevation sheet | The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as if a vertical plane were passed through the structure. |
EMT | Electrical Metallic Tubing- This electrical pipe, also called thin-wall conduit, may be used for both concealed and exposed areas. It is the most common type of raceway used in single family and low rise residential and commercial buildings. |
Emulsion | In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water. |
End Dams | Internal flashing (dam) that prevents water from moving laterally within a curtain wall or window wall system. |
End Lap | The amount or location of overlap at the end of a roll of roofing felts in the application. |
Escutcheon | An ornamental plate that fits around a pipe extending through a wall or floor to hide the cut out hole |
Estimate | The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project. |
Estimating | The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process. |
Evaporator coil | The part of a cooling system that absorbs heat from air in your home. Also see condensing unit. |
Excavate | Dig the basement and or all areas that will need footings/foundations below ground. |
Expansion Coefficient | The amount that a specific material will vary in any one dimension with a change of temperature. |
Expansion joint | Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non-moving foundation wall. |
Expansive soils | Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present. ("Betonite" is an expansive soil). |
Exposed aggregate finish | A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate - usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces. |
Exterior Glazed | Glazing infills set from the exterior of the building. |
Exterior Stop | The molding or bead that holds the lite or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the lite or panel |
Extras | Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but increase the cost of building the home. |
Extrusion | An item formed by forcing a base metal (frequently aluminum) or plastic, at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape. |
Eyebrow | A flat, normally concrete, projection which protrudes horizontally from a building wall; Eyebrows are generally located above windows. |
