Home Additions Terms & Definitions

Blueprints: Construction plans that are used by builders and subcontractors to build a structure.
Building Code: Legal requirements covering all aspects of construction, established and enforced by local governments in order to protect public safety.
Center Beam: The wood or steel material that runs the length of the ground level of a house.
Concrete: A mixture of cement, sand, gravel and water that hardens into a rocklike material.
Drywall: A type of interior wall constructed using gypsum wallboard panels instead of traditional plaster.
Excavation: The removal of earth and/or rock to create an open area underground for a basement.
Footing: The widened supports at the base of the foundation walls.
Foundation: The walls that are partially below-ground, supporting the weight of the building above.
Framing: The process of constructing the internal skeleton of a structure, usually composed of wood or steel beams.
Grading: Preparing a site by digging or filling in earth/rock in order to accommodate the construction of a building.
Joists: A series of horizontal parallel beams that support a building's floor and ceiling.
Permit: Document issued by your local government agency that allows construction work to be performed.