H
H Clip- Small metal clips formed like an "H" that fits at
the joints of two plywood (or wafer board) sheets to stiffen the joint.
Normally used on the roof sheeting.
Hardware- All of the "metal" fittings that go into the
home when it is near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars,
handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers, etc. The
Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware".
Haunch- An extension, knee like protrusion of the foundation wall
that a concrete porch or patio will rest upon for support.
Hazard insurance - Protection against damage caused by fire,
windstorms, or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers to carry
it in an amount at least equal to the mortgage.
Header- (a) A beam placed perpendicular to joists and to which
joists are nailed inframing for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. (b) A
wood lintel. (c) The horizontal structural member over an opening (for
example over a door or window).
Hearth- The fireproof area directly in front of a fireplace. The
inner or outer floor of a fireplace, usually made of brick, tile, or stone.
Heating load- The amount of heating required to keep a building at a
specified temperature during the winter, usually 65° F, regardless of
outside temperature.
Heat meter- An electrical municipal inspection of the electric meter
breaker panel box.
Heat pump- A mechanical device which uses compression and
decompression of gas to heat and/or cool a house.
Heat Rough- Work performed by the Heating Contractor after the
stairs and interior walls are built. This includes installing all duct work
and flue pipes. Sometimes, the furnace and fireplaces are installed at this
stage of construction.
Heat Trim- Work done by the Heating Contractor to get the home ready
for the municipal Final Heat Inspection. This includes venting the hot water
heater, installing all vent grills, registers, air conditioning services,
turning on the furnace, installing thermostats, venting ranges and hoods,
and all other heat related work.
Heel cut- A notch cut in the end of a rafter to permit it to fit
flat on a wall and on the top, doubled, exterior wall plate.
Highlights- A light spot, area, or streak on a painted surface.
Hip- A roof with four sloping sides. The external angle formed by
the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.
Hip roof- A roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides
of a building.
Home run (electrical)- The electrical cable that carries power from
the main circuit breaker panel to the first electrical box, plug, or switch
in the circuit.
Honey combs- The appearance concrete makes when rocks in the
concrete are visible and where there are void areas in the foundation wall,
especially around concrete foundation windows.
Hose bib- An exterior water faucet (sill cock).
Hot wire- The wire that carries electrical energy to a receptacle or
other device—in contrast to a neutral, which carries electricity away
again. Normally the black wire. Also see ground.
Humidifier- An appliance normally attached to the furnace, or
portable unit device designed to increase the humidity within a room or a
house by means of the discharge of water vapor.
Hurricane clip- Metal straps that are nailed and secure the roof
rafters and trusses to the top horizontal wall plate. Sometimes called a
Teco clip.
H V A C- An abbreviation for
Heat,
Ventilation, and
Air
Conditioning.
I
I-beam- A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter
I.
It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings, such
as a double garage door, when wall and roof loads bear down on the opening.
I-joist- Manufactured structural building component resembling the
letter "I". Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two
key parts:
flanges and
webs. The
flange or from of
the I joist may be made of laminated veneer lumber or dimensional lumber,
usually formed into a 1 ½" width. The
web or center of the
I-joist is commonly made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Large
holes can be cut in the web to accommodate duct work and plumbing waste
lines. I-joists are available in lengths up to 60 feet long
Incandescent lamp- A lamp employing an electrically charged metal
filament that glows at white heat. A typical light bulb.
Index- The interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the
changes in monthly payments for an adjustable rate loan.
Infiltration- The passage of air from indoors to outdoors and vice
versa; term is usually associated with drafts from cracks, seams or holes in
buildings.
Inside corner- The point at which two walls form an internal angle,
as in the corner of a room.
Insulating glass- Window or door in which two panes of glass are
used with a sealed air space between. Also known as
Double glass.
Insulation board, rigid- A structural building board made of coarse
wood or cane fiber in ½- and 25/32-inch thickness. It can be obtained
in various size sheets and densities.
Insulation- Any material high in resistance to heat transmission
that, when placed in the walls, ceiling, or floors of a structure, and will
reduce the rate of heat flow.
Interest - The cost paid to a lender for borrowed money.
Interior finish- Material used to cover the interior framed areas of
walls and ceilings
Irrigation- Lawn sprinkler system.
