Termonology Used by Carpenters

A

airway

Space made between roof boards and insulation in order for air to move.

baseboard

Board positioned around the bottom circumference of a room as a finish between the floor and the plaster.

B

bridging

Small pieces of wood placed in an X-pattern between the floor joists to prevent them from twisting and squeaking.

C

corner braces

Diagonal braces at the corners of framed walls to provide extra strength.

crown

An upward bow, curve, or rise along a board length. Deck boards are set on end with the crown up. Eventually, the crown will sag and straighten the board.

crown molding

Molding used to cover any interior angle.

E

Eave

Lower part of a roof which projects over the wall.

F

face nail

Driving a nail perpendicularly through the width side board.

fascia

The flat front board which caps the rafter tail ends and fly rafter edges.

fishplate

A piece of wood that fastens the ends to two members together at a butt joint.

floor joists

The main subfloor framing members which supports the floor span. Typically, joists are made out of I-beams or 2x8 (or larger) lumber.

fly rafters

The end rafters forming the outside edge of the roof overhang.

G

girder

Large beam of wood or steel which acts as the principle support for loads along its span.

H

header

Beam which is perpendicular to wall suds above doors, windows or other openings. It carries the weight of structural loads.

J

joist

Parallel framing members installed horizontally to carry floor and ceiling loads

M

miter

45-degree cut. Unlike a compound miter cut, the saw blade remains at 0 degrees.

P

plumb

A vertical element that is perfectly perpendicular to a level surface.

pitch

The angle of a roof slope, measured as "X" inches per 12" (x/12).

R

rafters

beams that slope from the ridge of a roof to the eaves making the main body of the roof's framework .

S

siding

Outside finish between the casings.

soffit

Visible underwide of structural members such as staircases, cornices, beams, a roof overhang or eave.

stud

2x4 or 2x6 vertical framing member used to assemble walls.

subfloor

Boards or plywood mounted over joists on which the finish floor is laid.