Built-Up Roof

A flat or low-sloped roof consisting of multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets.

Bundle

A package of shingles. There are usually 3,4, or 5 bundles per square depending on shingle weight.

Bungalow

A single story building, which may be detached or semi-detached whose primary purpose is for living accommodation.

Butt

A door hinge.

Butt Casin

A very plain casing formed by installing a piece across the top of an opening and bringing up two side pieces to butt against it from beneath

Butt Edge

The lower edge of the shingle tabs.

Butt Joint

Formed when two members are placed end to end without overlapping.

Butterfly Roof

An inverted gable roof with two sides that slope downward and inward, forming an inverted ridge in the center. The two gables resemble the wings of a butterfly.

Buttress

An external structure, usually of brick, stone or concrete, that supports a wall or building by receiving lateral pressure acting at a particular point in a single direction.

BX Electrical Cable

Electrical cable with metal sheathing used in the 1930's-50's.

Cadmium Plated

Parts coated with thin corrosion-resistant covering of cadmium metal.

Caisson Foundation

A foundation system in which holes are drilled into the earth down to bearing strata and then filled with concrete.

Calcium Sulfate

A chemical compound (CASO4) which is used as a drying agent or desiccant in liquid line dryers.

Calibrate

To determine position indicators as required to obtain accurate measurements.

Callback

A return service call to complete a repair, or to correct a problem that had been improperly repaired.

Calorie

Heat required to raise temperature of one gram of water one degree centigrade.

Calorimeter

Device used to measure quantities of heat or determine specific heats.

Cam

Oblong mechanical component that produces a reciprocating motion when rotated.

Cant Strip

A strip having triangular cross section which provides support for felt layers of a roof as they curve form a horizontal to a vertical position.

Cantilever

A structural member which projects beyond its supporting wall or column.

Cap

The top part of a structural member, such as columns, doors, moldings a cornice, a lintel.

Cap Flashing

That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

Capacitance (C)

Property of nonconductor (condenser or capacitor) that permits storage of electrical energy in an electrostatic field.

Capacity

The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTU's. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

Cape Cod House

A type of architectural style which is a development of the one-story cabinet. Generally, the main cornice line is at the second-story level. The roof is sloping and there may be rooms on the second floor, served by dormer window. A detailed entrance features pilasters and cornices.

Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced when carbon burns without sufficient air nearby.

Carport

A roofed auto shelter without walls.

Case

The framework of the structure, the external facings of a building when made of material superior to backing.

Casement

A window sash that swings open on side hinges: in-swinging are French in origin out-swinging are from England.

Casement Window

A type of window with a sash and side hinges.

Casing

A piece of trim material around the sides and top of doors, windows and other openings in a wall.

Casing

Exposed molding or framing around a window or door, on either the inside or outside, to cover the space between the window frame or jamb and the wall.

Caulk

To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.

Caulking

A mastic compound for filling joints and sealing cracks to prevent leakage of water and air, commonly made of silicone, bituminous, acrylic, or rubber-based material. The technique for making airtight joints by applying a sealing material or a form of weather-stripping.

Cavity Wall

A wall, usually of masonry, that consists of two vertical components with air space between.

Ceiling Joists

The horizontal structural members to which the ceiling is fastened, may support a floor above.

Ceiling Plenum

Space below the flooring and above the suspended ceiling that accommodates the mechanical and electrical equipment and that is used as part of the air distribution system.