Definition of Monolithic Slab

Monolithic Slab

A slab foundation that is part of the footings.

Slab Foundation

For a slab foundation, the site is leveled off, and a trench is dug around the perimeter of the home site. Gravel is then spread across the site, and concrete is poured approximately four inches thick over wire mesh and a moisture barrier. In areas of load bearing walls, trenches need to be dug to allow for additional thickness at this location. slab foundations have no piers or floor joists, and the concrete slab is the floor system.

Basement Foundation

A basement is a usable foundation that typically has ceiling heights of 8' and is often finished off as living or storage space.

Crawlspace Foundation

The space between the ground and the first floor of a home, usually no higher than four feet.

Backfill

The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement or crawlspace foundation wall.

Load-Bearing Point

A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

Pilaster

A projection or the foundation wall used to support a floor girder or stiffen the wall.

Rebar

Ribbed steel bars installed in foundation concrete walls, footers, and poured in place concrete structures designed to strengthen concrete. Comes in various thickness' and strength grade.

Window Buck

Square or rectangular box that is installed within a concrete foundation or block wall. A window will eventually be installed in this "buck" during the siding stage of construction.

First To Die Coverage

this means that there are two or more life insured on the same policy but the death benefit is paid out on the first death only. If two or more persons at the same address are purchasing life insurance at the same time, it is wise to compare the cost of this kind of coverage with individual policies having a multiple policy discount.

Last To Die Coverage

this means that there are two or more life insured on the same policy but the death benefit is paid out on the last person to die. The cost of this type of coverage is much less than a first to die policy and it is generally used to protect estate value for children where there might be substantial capital gains taxes due upon the death of the last parent. this kind of policy is also valuable when one of two people covered has health problems which would prohibit obtaining individual coverage.

Non-participating Policy

A type of insurance policy or annuity in which the owner does not receive dividends.

Participating Policy

A policy offers the potential of sharing in the success of an insurance company through the receipt of dividends.

Certificate of Location or Survey

A document specifying the exact location of the building on the property and describing the type and size of the building including additions, if any.

Home Equity

The difference between the price for which a home could be sold (market value) and the total debts registered against it.

Coach home

One of a group of homes in a two-story building, with own garage and entrance.

Courtyard home

A home with a courtyard as its main entrance.

Home warranty

Like any other warranty, this guarantees the property against failure of mechanical systems, such as plumbing, electrical, heating and installed appliances.

Patio home

Small, single-family home with a patio.

Single-family home

A detached house.

Allowance

A sum of money set aside in the construction contract for items which have not been selected and specified in the construction contract. For example, selection of tile as a flooring may require an allowance for an underlayment material, or an electrical allowance which sets aside an amount of money to be spent on electrical fixtures.

Area Walls

Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed around a basement window to hold back the earth.

Basement Foundation

A basement is a usable foundation that typically has ceiling heights of 8' and is often finished off as living or storage space.

Concrete Block

A hollow concrete 'brick' often 8" x 8" x 16" in size. Often used in low rise commercial and some residential construction. The original design and use is attributed to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Crawlspace Foundation

The space between the ground and the first floor of a home, usually no higher than four feet.

High Voltage System

See Electricity.

aterial used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings

Load-Bearing Point

A point where a bearing or structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

Load-Bearing Wall

Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder. Normally, any wall that has a double horizontal top plate.

Low-Voltage System

Provides security, entertainment, communications, environmental control, networking, and other functions generally powered by a signal cable, phone line or data cable. Is not typically metered.

Nonbearing Wall

A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.

Overhang

part of the roof that hangs over the wall.

Particle Board

Plywood substitute made of course sawdust that is mixed with resin and pressed into sheets. Used for closet shelving, floor underlayment, stair treads, etc.

Partition

A wall that subdivides spaces within any story of a building or room.

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier

Plastic film used to prevent moisture from passing through unfaced insulation. Both 4- and 6-mil polyethylene are preferred because they are less likely to be damaged during construction.

Radiant Barrier

A radiant barrier is a reflective surface, on or near a building component, that intercepts the flow of radiant energy to and from the building component.

Radiant Barrier System

A Radiant barrier system (RBS) is a building section that includes a radiant barrier facing an air space.

Reflective Insulation System

Reflective Insulation system is formed by a combination of low emittance surfaces and air spaces that provide reflective cavities, which have low levels of radiant energy transmission.

Stick-Built Home

A house built without prefabricated parts. Also called conventional building.

Subfloor

The structural material that spans across floor joists. It serves as a working platform during construction and provides a base for the finish floor.

Wire Nut

A plastic device used to connect bare wires together.

Yard of Concrete

One cubic yard of concrete is 3' x 3' x 3' in volume, or 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of concrete will pour 80 square feet of 3 ½" sidewalk or basement/garage floor.

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