Blind Nail

To drive a nail into a piece of material (such as flooring or paneling) so the nail will be hidden when the next piece is installed.

Blisters

Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation.

Block

A preformed structural component made of concrete and used in construction.

Blockage

Blockage is obstruction of flow, i.e., valve, debris, etc.

Blower

Motor-driven fan that moves air through the ducts of a heating or cooling system or through vents.

Blowers Door

A device that fits into a doorway of a building, containing a powerful fan, for supplying or extracting a measured rate of airflow. It is normally used for testing air leakage by pressurization or depressurization.

Board

Lumber measuring two inches (2") or less in thickness.

Board And Batten

A type of siding, typically vertical, composed of wide boards and narrow battens. The boards are nailed to the sheathing with a half of a space between them and the battens are nailed over these spaces.

Boca

Building Officials and Code Administrators.

Boiler Heat

A system which circulates either steam or hot water to individual room radiators or convectors.

Bolt

Any of several types of strong fastening rods, pins, or screws, usually threaded to receive a nut. A movable bar or rod, which when slid into a socket, fastens a door, gate, etc.

Bond

Adhesion of glue or other adhesive to materials being joined pattern formed in laying brick or other masonry units.

Bond Beam

A continuous beam placed in masonry walls to tie them together, add lateral stability and distribute concentrated vertical loads along the wall usually made of reinforced concrete but sometimes of reinforced brick or concrete block.

Bottom Plate

The bottom horizontal member of a frame wall.

Bottom Rail

The bottom horizontal member of a window sash. A horizontal member that forms the bottom of a window or paneled door. Also called bottom stile.

Bow Window

A rounded bay window that projects from the wall in an arc shape, commonly consisting of five sashes.

Bowstring Truss

A steel or wooden truss with a top member that resembles a bow or an arch.

Brace

A structural member that reinforces a frame or truss.

Bracket

A horizontal projecting support that bears an overhanging weight, e.g., a cornice, eaves.

Brick Cavity Wall

A wall with a space between the inner and outer tiers of brick, the space may be filled with insulation.

Brick Ledge

That portion along the exterior of a slab on a grade foundation which is reserved for and supports the brick veneer.

Brick Masonry (Bond)

The arrangement or overlapping of brick, blocks or stones to tie a masonry wall together longitudinally stretchers and transversely (headers) and of great importance to the strength of the wall.

Brick Molding

A standard milled wood trim piece that covers the gap between the window frame and masonry.

Brick Veneer

A non-load bearing single tier of brick applied as the facing to a wall of other materials.

Bridging

Cross members inserted between joists to hold the joists in position.

British Thermal Unit (Btu)

Stands for British Thermal Units. This number indicates the amount of heat it takes to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTU rating, the larger the heating capacity of the furnace or air conditioner. Homes are measured to determine the number of btus required from a heating or cooling system.

BTU

The heating needs of an area are measured in British thermal unit, abbr. Btu, the unit for measuring heat quantity in the customary system of English units of measurement, equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water at its maximum density [which occurs at a temperature of 39.1 degrees Fahrenheit (°F)] by 1°F. To determine the BTU's necessary to heat a home requires a complicated calculation that includes many variables.  Usually this calculation has already been done when your home was built but CHS Services, Inc. will be happy to do the calculation for you if you have need.

Buck

Wood framework in a door opening in masonry wall to which jambs and casings are attached.

Building

A structure, usually roofed and walled, that is erected for permanent use.

Building Code

A set of rules specifying requirements in building for health, safety and welfare.   A local or state ordinance or regulation that controls the design, construction, alteration, repair, quality of materials use and occupancy of any building in its jurisdiction enforced by police power in the interest of public health, safety and welfare.

Building Exposure Category C.

ASCE 7-93 term for building located in fairly open terrain with scattered obstructions less than 30 feet in height.

Building Related Illness

Diagnosable illnesses whose symptoms can be identified and whose cause can be directly attributed to airborne building pollutants (e.g., legionnaire's disease, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis).

Built-Ins

Items such as cabinets, counters desks, benches, shelving, equipment, which are permanently attached to the building structure and could not be removed without leaving evidence of removal.