Does Construction Lingo Leave You Confused?

Communication in the design and building of decks and other exterior projects.

In my years discussing deck construction with clients and other construction professionals it has become clear that a common vocabulary is essential whenever two or more people pursue a joint project.  With that in mind, Dexperts have compiled a list of construction terms that apply to deck and outdoor living space construction.

I will add to the list as necessary, either as new products and practices become common or as the need becomes apparent.

Glossary

Actual Dimensions:                 The exact measurements of a piece of lumber after it has been cut, surfaced and dried.  For example, a 2x4 is actually 1 ½” x 3 ½”. (Also see Nominal Dimensions)

Arbor:                                      A garden structure that can provide shade or ornamental appeal.  Can include a bench or swing, but is typically something that is walked/passed under and not a seating area.

Azek®:                                    A manufacturer of PVC building products including decking, trim and fascia.

Balusters:                                The vertical components of a railing system.

Beam:                                      A large horizontal framing member supported by posts and used to support joists.

Blocking:                                 Solid pieces of lumber cut to fit snugly between joists.  Used to prevent joists from cupping or rolling.

Break Board:                           A deck board installed perpendicular to the rest of the decking that can be used to break up large areas or define certain areas within a deck.

Building Codes:                      Requirements for safe building practices and procedures enforced by local municipalities.

Building Permit:                      A license, obtained from the local building and planning department, authorizing work to be done on a home.  Structural changes and changes to a building’s water, waste or electrical systems require a building permit and inspections.

Cantilever:                               Construction that extends beyond any vertical support.

Capped Composite:                Deck boards with a core made of composite but then wrapped in a protective coating which is generally plastic.

Cedar Decking: In the Northwest cedar decking usually refers to wood decking cut from the Western Red Cedar Tree. Alaska Yellow cedar is also available but typically marketed as "Yellow Cedar".

Composite Decking:               Decking products manufactured using a blend of wood and plastic.  Composite decking requires less maintenance than wood and doesn’t rot, crack, or split.             

Decking:                                  Boards nailed to the tops of joists to form the deck surface.

Elevation:                                An architectural drawing of a structure from the front, rear, or side view.

Fascia Board:                          A facing board that covers the deck framing to provide a finished appearance.

Finial:                                      A decorative element at the top of a post.

Footing:                                   The concrete base that supports posts or steps.

Frost line:                                The maximum depth to which the ground freezes in a given geographical area.

Galvanized:                             A coating for metal of zinc and other chemicals to prevent rusting.

Girder: A large horizontal framing member supported by posts and used to support joists. Like a beam but flush with joists rather than under them.

Grade:                                     The natural ground level.

Guard Railing:                        Decks over 30 inches off the ground require a railing around the deck to protect people from falling off.  A rail can be decorative and made of a variety of materials, but must be a minimum of 36 inches high and have no openings larger than 4 inches.

Hand Rail:                               Any stairs that have more than 3 steps require a graspable surface on at least one side of the stairs.

Joists:                                      Structural members placed across beams to support deck boards.

Joist Hanger:                           Metal connector used to support one end of a joist.

Knot:                                       The high density root of a limb that is not connected to the surrounding wood.

Lag Screw:                              A large diameter wood screw used to connect the ledger board to the house framing.

Lattice:                                    A cross-pattern material made from wood, plastic, or metal.

Ledger:                                    A horizontal board attached to the side of a house to support one end of a deck or overhead structure.

Nominal Dimensions:              The identifying dimensions of a piece of lumber which are larger than the actual dimensions.

Pergola:                                   An overhead structure consisting of beams or latticework set atop columns or posts.  Often built over a path or patio area for shade or decoration and is differentiated from an arbor in function more than in design.

Permanent Structure:              Any structure that is anchored to the ground.

Plan Drawing:                         A drawing which gives an overhead view showing locations of footings and framing pieces.

Plumb:                                     Vertically straight, in relation to a horizontally level surface.

Post:                                        A vertical framing member.

Post Anchor:                           A metal connector used to attach the base of a post to the footing.

Pressure-treated Lumber:        Wood that has had preservative chemicals forced into it under pressure in the manufacturing process.

PVC Decking:                         A man-made decking product consisting entirely of cellular PVC.  It is impervious to water and insects and comes in many attractive colors and textures.

On Center:                              Measurement from the center of one framing member to the next.  Used as a reference point in layout.

Rail:                             A horizontal member placed between posts.

Recommended Span: The distance a piece of lumber can safely traverse without being supported.

Redwood:                  A straight-grained weather-resistant wood used for outdoor building.

Rim Joist:                 The joist running perpendicular to all other joists on the perimeter of a deck.

Riser:                      The vertical part of each step on a set of stairs.

Site Plan:               A map of the property which includes locations of buildings, driveways and parking areas, utilities, slopes, vegetation and other features.

Skirt:                   Any material installed between the ground and the bottom of the deck.  Provides a more finished appearance and keeps animals out.

Stringer:            On stairs, the diagonal board which support the treads and risers.  Also called a “stair jack”.

Timbertech®:    A leading manufacturer of composite decking, railing and trim. 

Toenail:          To drive a nail through the end of one board into the face of another to connect them.

Tread:         On stairs, the horizontal boards that make up each step.

Trellis:          A latticework used as a light screen or as a support for climbing plants.

XLM:        A durable and long-lasting PVC decking product. Originally a Timbertech product, now            marketed under the Azek brand. XLM is stain, scratch, split and mold resistant, XLM stands for eXtreme Low Maintenance.  It is available in a variety of colors and can be installed with hidden fasteners.