backer rod: cylindrical foam strip, field cut from roll, compressed into a joint, for purpose as a backing for caulk or chinking.

backfill: The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around and against a basement foundation.

balcony: A deck projecting from the wall of a building above ground level.

balusters: Usually small vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and the stair treads or a bottom rail.

banister: A handrail with supporting posts used alongside a stairway.

base shoe: A molding used next to the floor in interior baseboards.

baseboard: The finish board covering the interior wall where the wall and the floor meet.

batt: A roll or sheet of insulation designed to be installed between members of frame construction.

batten: Narrow strips of wood used to cover joints or as decorative vertical members over plywood or wide boards.

batter board: one of a pair of horizontal boards nailed to posts set at the corners of an excavation, used to indicate the desired level, also as a fastening for stretched strings to indicate outlines of foundation walls.

battered column base: stone veneered at a 12:1 slope on a concrete or concrete block column base.

bay window: any window space projecting outward from the walls of a building, either square or polygonal in plan.

beam: a structural member transversely supporting a load.

beam ceiling: a ceiling in which the ceiling beams are exposed to view.

bearing partition: a partition that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

bearing wall: a wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.

benchmark: a mark on some permanent object fixed to the ground from which land measurements and elevations are taken.

board foot: a method of lumber measurements using nominal dimensions of 1 in. thick, 12 in. wide, and 12 in. long, or the equivalent

bridging: Small wood or metal members that are inserted in a diagonal position between the floor joists at mid-span to act both as tension and compression members for the purpose of bracing the joists and spreading the action of loads.

built-up proof: Roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs.

 

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