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Paul Lehmann's Home Building Dictionary

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Taping

Covering of drywall joints with joint compound and paper tape.

TECO Clips

Metal straps that secure roof trusses and rafters to the horizontal wall plate. Also known as a hurricane clip.

Tempered

A term that means strengthened. Tempered glass is used in tub, shower enclosures, entry doors, and any windows where the sill is less than 16" from the floor. Tempered glass will not shatter and is similar to an automobile windowshield.

Terra Cotta

A ceramic material that is used in masonry.

Thermostat

A device that regulates the temperature of a room or building by controling the heating and cooling equipment.

Three Dimensional Shingles

Shingles that have extra layers or tabs giving them added dimensionality. Also called Architectural Shingles.

Threshold

A wooden or metal plate that is installed in the bottom of an exterior door frame.

Tinner

Another name used for a heating contractor.

Toenailing

Driving nails into wood at a slanted angle. Often this method is used when securing floor joists to the plate.

Top Chord

The top member of a truss.

Transom

A small opening or window installed above a door.

Trap

Used in plumbing to hold water in and prevent air, gas or vermin from backing up into the fixture.

Trim

A term that can be used to express the finishing work a plumbing, heating or electrical contractor does to finalize their work when the house is nearing completion.

Trim - Interior or Exterior

The term trim can also be used to refer to the finishing materials placed on the house. For the interior this includes moldings, interior doors, handrails, guardrails, mantles, cabinets, countertops, shelves, etc. For exterior this includes siding, attic vents, shutters and outside moldings.

Trusses

A engineered roof system that differs from using rafters. Trusses have a wooden frame with a zig-zag design and are used to support a longer span than typical rafters.

Turnkey

A term used when the contractor supplies all labor and materials for a job.