AREAWAY: An open space around a basement door or window to admit light.

ATTIC VENT: Openings in the attic to provide ventilation to the outside. Used to remove humid air from the attic so that moisture does not accumulate.

BEARING WALL: A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

BOLSTER: A short horizontal beam on top of a column to decrease the span of the beams.

BRIDGlNG: Small wood or metal members inserted in a diagonal position between floor joists to spread floor loads between joists.

COLLAR BEAM: 1 or 2" thick members connecting opposite roof rafters to stiffen the roof structure.

COLUMN: A vertical load-supporting member. A lally column is a round steel column sometimes filled with concrete, supporting the girder.

CONDENSATION: Beads of water accumulation when moist warm air meets cooler air. When the dewpoint is reached, condensation occurs.

CONDUIT: (electrical) A metal pipe in which wire is installed.

CONTROL JOINT: A joint in concrete to minimize cracking due to shrinkage.

CORNICE: Overhang of a pitched roof at the eave line, usually consisting of a fascia and soffit.

CRAWL SPACE: A low space below the living quarters of a basementless house.

DECAY: Disintegration of wood through the action of fungi.

DORMER: An opening in a sloping reef, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall.

DRYWALL: Interior covering material applied in large sheets or panels.

DUCTS: Round or rectangular pipes used for carrying air from the furnace or air conditioner to rooms.

EAVES: The lower point of a roof projecting over the wall.

EFFLORESCENCE: White, powdery substance on masonry due to the evaporation of salt-laden water.

FASCIA: A board nailed to the ends of roof rafters, usually supporting the gutter.

FLY RAFTERS: End rafters of the gable overhang.

FOOTING: A rectangular masonry section below the frost line supporting a foundation wall or pier.

FROSTLINE: The depth of frost penetration in the soil.

GABLE: The portion of the roof above the eave line in a double-sloped roof.

HEADER: A horizontal beam into which joists are nailed. Also, a wood lintel.

HIP ROOF: A roof that slopes from all four sides of a building.

JOIST: On. of a series of horizontal parallel beams used to support floor loads.

LINTEL: A horizontal member supporting the load over an opening such as a door or window.

LOOKOUT: A short bracket to support the soffit, usually concealed.

MUNTIN: A small member. that divides the glass of sash or doors.

O.C.: On Center, the center-to-center spacing of studs, rafters, etc.

RAFTER: One of a series of parallel beams used to support roof loads.

RAIL: Horizontal member of sash.

RIDGE: The horizontal line at the junction of the top edges of two sloping roof surfaces.

SADDLE: Cricket - Two sloping surfaces meeting in a ridge, used often at the back of a chimney.

SASH: The frame of window or door panes.

SILL: The lowest member of the house frame, resting on the foundation.

SLEEPER: A wood member embedded in concrete to support flooring.

SOFFIT: The underside of the cornice.

STILE: Vertical member of the sash.

STRINGER: A support for cross members in floor. Also, stair support.