Building Terms - “B”

Back Charging - Billings for work performed or costs incurred by one party that, in accordance with the agreement, should have been performed or incurred by the party to whom billed. Owners bill back charges to general contractors, and general contractors bill back charges to subcontractors. Examples of back charges include charges for cleanup work or to repair something damaged by another subcontractor, such as a broken window.

Backfill - The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement /crawl space foundation wall. While this sounds like a rather simple step it is important it is done properly to prevent damage to the new structure and future settlement issues.

Backing - Frame lumber installed between the wall studs to give additional support for drywall or an interior trim related item, such as handrail brackets, cabinets, and towel bars. In this way, items are screwed and mounted into solid wood rather than weak drywall that may allow the item to break loose from the wall. Carpet backing holds the pile fabric in place.

Backout - Work the framing contractor does after the mechanical subcontractors (such as HVAC, electricians, plumbers, and so on) finish their phase of work at the Rough stage to get the home ready for a framing inspection. Generally, the framing contractor repairs anything disturbed by others and completes all framing necessary to pass a Rough Frame Inspection. It is often necessary for subcontractors to cut or move some framing to some extent to fit their mechanicals into the framing of the house. The framer will follow behind to ensure the integrity of the framing.

Balloon Loan - A loan that has a series of monthly payments with the remaining balance due in a large lump sum payment at the end. Be sure to gully understand the timing and pay schedule associated with any type of loan, especially a balloon loan.

Balusters - These are the vertical parts in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail or the stair treads. Sometimes referred to as ‘pickets’ or ’spindles’ there is a large variety in shape and size available on the market. Your local building codes will most likely have rules dictating the maximum distance apart these can be from each other as a safety precaution.

Balustrade - The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a stairway or elevated walkway.

Base or baseboard - A trim board placed against the wall around the room next to the floor. Serves both a decorative and functional purpose. Base should be firmly nailed into the studs behind the sheetrock and a quality trim carpenter will ensure this happens.

Base shoe - Molding installed to the floor next to the interior base board, often with a quarter round shape. Base shoe is not only decorative in nature but also can serve to cover the edge of carpet or other flooring material.

Batt - A section of fiber-glass insulation measuring a 15 inches to two wide by four to eight feet long and in various thickness’.  Sometimes “faced” (meaning to have a paper covering on one side) or “un-faced” (without paper). This is the typical insulation you would expect to see placed between the wall studs in a residential home. Insulation is graded on it’s effectiveness and given an “R-Factor.”

Batten - Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards. A batten is often used to strengthen or hold in place other pieces of wood or material. The term “Board and Batten” refers to the use of strips of wood covering the seam when two larger pieces of wood come together

Bay window - A window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan. Using a bay window often allows more natural light into a room and can give the feeling of a larger living area as well.

Beam - Often called a girder as well this is a structural member and a part of the framing of a home. The beam’s job is carrying and transferring building weight, or load, from one support to another.

Bearing point - A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation

Bearing wall - A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight. This is commonly called a “load bearing wall.” The opposite of this would be a patrician wall which supports no weight beyond its own.

Bearing header - 1) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in framing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. 2) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for example over a door, pass through or window). When an opening, such as one for a door, is built into the framing of a house there is a resulting void in that framing. A header is designed and installed to carry the load that would have been carried by the framing material in that space.

Bedrock - A subsurface layer of earth that is suitable to support a structure. If your land has bedrock that is to high or on the wrong place it may require blasting or removal in order to dig and place your foundation or slab.

Bid - A formal offer by a contractor or sub contractor, in accordance with specifications for a project, to do all or a phase of the work at a certain price in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in the offer. Very often more than one bid is sought by a general contractor or home owner. When looking at and comparing bids it is important to take note of the details. What is involved in the bid? Labor and material? Labor and most material? A small line item in a bid can mean big bucks so pay attention.

Bid shopping - A practice by which contractors, both before and after their bids are submitted, attempt to obtain prices from potential subcontractors and material suppliers that are lower than the contractors’ original estimates on which their bids are based, or after a contract is awarded, seek to induce subcontractors to reduce the subcontract price included in the bid.

Bidding requirements - The procedures and conditions for the submission of bids. The requirements are included in documents, such as the notice to bidders, advertisements for bids, instructions to bidders, invitations to bid, and sample bid forms.

Byfold door - Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet and utility room doors typically will have a track at the top of the door frame.

Bypass doors- Doors that slide past each other and commonly used as closet or utility room doors. Effective in small or tight areas.

Blocking - Small wood pieces to brace framing members or to provide a nailing base for gypsum board or paneling. Some refer to blocking as “nailers” as the point is to provide a solid backing for nailing to. Beyond drywall and paneling blocking is equally important for future lighting fixtures, towel bars, shelving, decorative trim, book cases and more.

Block out- To install a box or barrier within a foundation wall to prevent the concrete from entering an area. For example, foundation walls are sometimes “blocked” in order for mechanical pipes to pass through the wall, to install a crawl space door, and to depress the concrete at a garage door location.

Blow insulation- Fiber insulation in loose form and used to insulate attics and existing walls where framing members are not exposed. The type of insulation that is best for your home will depend on your location and climate, the construction of the home and several other factors. Check with your general contractor, architect or local building supply house for more detailed information on which type of insulation is right for you.

Blue print - A type of copying method often used for architectural drawings. Usually used to describe the drawing of a structure which is prepared by an architect or designer for the purpose of design and planning, estimating, securing permits and actual construction. Often the terms blue print and floor plan are used interchangeably. Actual blue printing is falling out of favor for more advanced and digital means of document reproduction however the term remains in wide usage.

Blue stake - Another phrase for Service Location. This is when a utility company (telephone, gas, electric, cable TV, sewer and water, etc) comes to the job site and locates and spray paints the ground and/or installs little flags to show where their service is located underground. The spray paint may be blue, green, red or bright orange.

Board foot - A unit of measure for lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long. Examples: 1″ x 12″ x 16′ = 16 board feet, 2″ x 12″ x 16′ = 32 board feet. Some lumber companies and suppliers may price out their lumber in board feet or you may get a bid from a sub in board feet so it’s a handy thing to understand. You can find free board feet calculators online pretty easily.

Bond or bonding - An amount of money which must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor’s license. The bond may be used to pay for the unpaid bills or disputed work of the contractor. Not to be confused with a ‘performance bond’. While these bonds are rarely used in residential construction, they are an insurance policy which guarantees proper completion of a project.

Bottom plate - The lumber that lays flat on the subfloor upon which the vertical studs are installed. Typically a 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 will be used however it will depend on the design of your home. I’ve always used a double bottom plate (two 2 by 4’s rather than one, for example) that is glued to the subfloor with a heavy duty waterproof construction adhesive.

Brace - An inclined piece of framing lumber applied to wall or floor to strengthen the structure. Often used on walls as temporary bracing until framing has been completed. Bracing is used in various stages of construction including foundation walls, framing and roof truss placement.

Breaker panel - Also known as an electrical box or breaker box, this device distributes electric power entering the home to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and composed of circuit breakers. Another purpose of the breaker box is to protect the various appliances in your home from electrical surge and to provide a central place to turn off the power in case of fire, flood or other disaster. While it may look innocent enough there is enough electricity flowing through that box to kill you quite easily. Get a licensed electrician to perform any work or maintenance in your electrical box.

Brick ledge - Part of the foundation wall where brick or a brick veneer will rest. A typical brick can weigh 6 pounds or more so you can image how much weight will be involved if you have a brick faced home.

Brick lintel - The metal angle iron that brick rests on, especially above a window, door, or other opening. This is a structural item that supports the weight of the brick facing or veneer.

Brick mold -Trim used around an exterior door jamb that siding butts to.

Brick tie - A small, corrugated metal nailed to wall sheeting or studs. They are inserted into the grout mortar joint of the veneer brick, and holds the veneer wall to the sheeted wall behind it.

Brick veneer - A vertical facing of brick laid against and fastened to sheathing of a framed wall or tile wall construction.

Bridging - Small wood or metal members that are inserted in a diagonal position between the floor joists or rafters at mid-span for the purpose of bracing the joists/rafters & spreading the load.

Builder’s Risk Insurance - Insurance coverage on a construction project during construction, including extended coverage that may be added to the contract for the customer’s protections.

Building codes - County, Town, or Community ordinances governing the manner in which a home may be constructed or modified. These codes can vary depending on your area. The governing body will typically have building inspectors periodically inspect the home construction to ensure the project is to code. Codes are in place to insure that the home adheres to a minimum standard of safety and structural integrity.

Building paper- A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in home building without reference to their properties or uses. This material is also referred to as sheeting or wrap in some areas. They typical use is for some sort of water resistance or insulation purpose.

Bull nose - Simply means rounded, rounded off, or rounded corner. This term is used when speaking of brickwork, trim work, stairs, drywall and more.

Butt hinge- The most common type of door hinge these are also sometimes referred to simply as “butts”. One leaf or side of the hinge attaches to the door’s edge, the other to its jamb.

Butt joint- The junction where the ends of two timbers meet, and also where sheets of drywall meet on the 4 foot edge. To place materials end-to-end or end-to-edge without overlapping.

–This is an ever expanding and changing list. Something I should add in? Have an expanded or different definition for an item? Call something above by a different name in your area? Let me know by dropping your comment in the form below.  Thank you!