Elk River Custom Home Builders - Lehmann Construction Glossary

Paul Lehmann's Home Building Dictionary

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

R Factor

Measures a specific material's resistance to the passage of heat. Commonly used in describing insulation, the higher the R factor the better insulating power it has. Also referred to as the R Value.

Radiant Heating

Heating method consisting of a forced hot water system and pipes often installed in the floor, wall or ceiling.

Radiation

Energy that is transmitted from the heat source to the air surrounding it.

Radon

A radioactive gas that is naturally occuring and heavier than air. It is common in many parts of the country and is associated with lung cancer. You can reduce the risk of radon in the home by having proper crawl space and basement ventilation.

Rafter

Term for the pieces of lumber that support the roof sheeting and roof loads.

Rake

Adjective meaning sloped or slanted.

Ranch

Used to describe a one level, single story home.

Rebar

A shortened term for reinforcing bar. These ribbed steel bars are placed in concrete foundation walls to stregthen the concrete. Rebar can come in various strength grades and thicknesses.

Receptacle

An electrical outlet.

Recessed Box Washer Connection

A box installed in the wall of the laundry area where the washing machine will be located. Includes the hot and cold water connections and the drain for the washer.

Recessed Lights

Lights installed into the ceiling of a home.

Redline Prints

Blueprints that reflect changes and are marked with a red pencil.

Reducer

A pipe fitting that has different size openings on either end. This piece is used when going from a larger to smaller pipe.

Register

A grill like cover placed over heating ducts or a cold air return.

Reglaze

To replace a broken window.

Retaining Wall

A wall or other similar structure that is created to prevent erosion and hold back a slope or hillside.

Ridge

A ridge is formed at the junction of the top edges of two sloping surfaces. The ridge of a roof is the horizontal line at which the roof peaks.

Ridge Board

The board into which the upper ends of other roof rafters are fastened to. The ridge board is placed along the ridge of the roof.

Rise

Measures a vertical distance such as the one between the eaves of the home to the ridge of the roof. Or the vertical distance between stair treads.

Roll or Rolling

To "roll the floor" means to install floor joists in their correct place.

Roof Joist

A parallel framing member that is used to support ceiling weight.

Roof Sheathing

Sheet material or wood panels attached to the roof's rafters and over which the shingles or other covering is laid.

Rough Opening

Both the vertical and horizontal measure of a window or door opening before siding or drywall is installed.

Roughing-In

The initial stages of installation of services such as plumbing, heating, electrical, etc.

Run

Measure of the horizontal distance. Often used for roofs, the run is the distance between the eaves to a point directly under the ridge. Or in stairs, the run is the horizontal distance between the nose and the rise of the stair tread.