Glossary

A metal strip or structural element used to seal a roof to a wall, preventing moisture between the two.

An inert gas used between window panes to provide thermal insulation and prevent condensation.

A roofing material made of a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and ceramic granules.

A molding piece attached to one door of a pair to provide a weather seal and prevent over-swinging.

A brand of high-performance PVC trim and decking that resists rot, moisture, and insects.

A flat material installed on a house frame to provide a nailable surface for siding or stone.

A railing system composed of a top rail supported by vertical posts called balusters.

A narrow strip of wood or composite used to cover joints in vertical siding or as a roofing base.

A horizontal structural member that supports joists and transfers loads to posts or walls.

Decorative horizontal trim that runs across a house exterior, often separating siding types.

Also called clapboard, this is siding with a thick bottom and thin top that overlaps for water resistance.

An installation method where fasteners are hidden by the overlapping course of siding.

A siding style featuring wide vertical boards with narrow strips (battens) covering the seams.

A horizontal structural member over an opening that provides support and houses insulation.

The middle layer of a three-coat stucco system that provides stability and reduces shrinkage.

A structural member that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end.

The decorative molding used to trim the perimeter of window and door openings.

A flexible sealant used to fill gaps in joints to prevent moisture and air infiltration.

The general term for the outermost material used to cover a building's exterior walls.

Overlapping horizontal boards installed on a home's exterior to shed water.

A factory-applied, baked-on finish for James Hardie siding that resists fading and chipping.

A wood-plastic material made from a mixture of plastic and wood fibers for durability.

Decorative trim located where the exterior wall meets the roof of a building.

A single horizontal row of siding, shingles, or masonry running across a building.

The planks that form the floor of a deck or the structural foundation of a roof.

The separation of layers in a panel or material, usually caused by moisture failure.

A structural unit projecting from a pitched roof that typically houses a window.

A vertical pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters to the ground level.

Metal flashing installed above windows and doors to redirect water away from the opening.

A metal strip installed along the roof's edge to direct water into the gutters.

The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the exterior wall of a building.

White, powdery salt deposits that form on the surface of stucco or masonry.

Exterior Insulation and Finish System; a synthetic stucco cladding that includes insulation.

The width of the visible part of a siding board or shingle after installation.

The horizontal board covering the ends of roof rafters, often supporting the gutters.

A composite material of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers used for durable siding.

The final layer of a stucco system that provides the exterior's color and texture.

A projecting edge of a building component used for attachment or to seal joints.

Thin strips of metal or plastic installed at joints to prevent water penetration.

The concrete base that supports the foundation or deck posts by distributing weight.

A horizontal trim board installed flat against the wall at the junction of siding and soffit.

A thin wood or metal strip used to create a level surface or drainage gap behind siding.

The triangular portion of an exterior wall between the edges of a pitched roof.

A metal coating composed of aluminum and zinc used for corrosion-resistant roofing.

A masonry treatment where mortar is spread over brick to create a weathered appearance.

A trough installed along the roof's edge to collect and divert rainwater.

The external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

A breathable membrane installed between siding and sheathing to prevent moisture entry.

Material used to reduce heat transfer, measured by its R-value or thermal resistance.

The vertical frame members that form the sides of a door or window opening.

A versatile trim piece used to hide the edges of siding around windows and doors.

A horizontal structural member used to support the floor of a deck or a ceiling.

The central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks others in place.

Siding installed horizontally where each board overlaps the one below it.

A horizontal board attached to a house frame to support one side of a deck.

A structural beam spanning the top of a door or window to support the load above.

Structures built from individual units like brick or stone bound by mortar.

Asphalt roofing reinforced with polymers for added durability and water resistance.

A vertical or horizontal element that separates and joins adjacent window or door frames.

A strip of wood or metal that separates individual panes of glass within a window.

Visible waviness in the flat areas of metal roofing panels, often caused by stress.

The measure of the steepness of a roof, expressed as rise over run.

A small, covered porch supported by columns at the entrance of a building.

A horizontal structural member that supports rafters or provides a base for metal panels.

Polyvinyl Chloride; a durable plastic used for siding, trim, and roofing membranes.

A sloped structural member that extends from the ridge to the eave to support a roof.

The sloped edge of a gable roof that runs from the eave up to the ridge.

The highest horizontal line of a roof where two opposing planes meet.

A vent installed along the roof ridge to allow warm air to escape the attic.

Also known as EPDM; a durable, single-ply synthetic rubber membrane for low-slope roofs.

The movable or fixed part of a window that holds the glass panes in place.

The initial layer of stucco applied to lath that provides a bond for the next layer.

An opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain off a low-slope roof.

Structural wood panels fastened to a building's frame as a base for siding or roofing.

A tall, narrow window flanking an entry door to provide light and visibility.

The horizontal bottom part of a door or window frame designed to shed water.

The underside of a roof's overhang, often connecting the roof edge to the exterior wall.

The cracking or chipping of a masonry or stucco surface due to moisture or freezing.

The horizontal distance between the load-bearing supports of a structural member.

A metal roof system where the seams are turned up and interlocked above the panels.

The first component installed at a wall or roof edge to secure the first course.

The full process of removing failed stucco and fixing underlying moisture defects.

The surface to which a building material is applied, such as sheathing or a roof deck.

A horizontal window located above a door or another window.

A water-resistant layer installed between the roof deck and the final roofing material.

The internal angle formed where two sloping roof planes intersect.

An opening that allows air or vapor to pass through the building envelope.

A trim board at the base of a wall designed to deflect water from the foundation.

Flexible strips used to seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent leaks.

A small opening designed to allow moisture to drain from behind a wall or window.