Kiran.Building

Building words, in plain English

Every underlined word in a plan links to one of these. 357 words, written for a first build.

3-4-5 · also 3-4-5 rule, 6-8-10
A way to get a square corner outdoors: measure 3 ft along one side and 4 ft along the other; the corner is square when those marks are exactly 5 ft apart. Use 6-8-10 for bigger layouts.
811
The free US "call before you dig" number. Call (or go to call811.com) a few days before digging; they mark buried gas, power and water lines.

A

acrylic
A clear plastic sheet (Plexiglas is a brand) that stands in for glass. It doesn't shatter into sharp pieces and can be drilled with care.
actual size
The real measured size of lumber, smaller than its name: a 2×4 is 1 1/2″ × 3 1/2″.
aggregate
The sand and stones in concrete or a gravel base.
anti-fatigue mat
A thick cushioned mat to stand on at a standing desk or counter. It eases leg and back strain.
anti-tip kit · also anti-tip, anti tip
A strap or bracket that ties the top of tall furniture to a wall stud so it can't fall on someone.
apron · also aprons
The board running under a tabletop between the legs. It stiffens the top and keeps the legs from racking.
arbor
A small open frame of posts and beams over a path or gate, usually covered with climbing plants.
auger
A powered corkscrew for drilling post holes; rent one for more than a few holes.
axle
The steel rod a wheel turns on.

B

baffle · also baffles, predator baffle
A metal cone or tube clamped around a post under a birdhouse or feeder. Cats, raccoons, snakes and squirrels can't climb past it.
band clamp · also band clamps, strap clamp
A strap that wraps right around a frame or box and is pulled tight with a ratchet, squeezing all four corners at once.
barrel nut · also barrel nuts
A small steel cylinder with a threaded hole across it. It sits in a hole drilled in the wood and catches the end of a bolt.
basket weave · also basketweave
A paver pattern of pairs laid side by side, each pair turned 90° to its neighbours, like a woven basket.
batten · also battens
A narrow strip screwed across the back of several boards to hold them together as one panel.
batter boards · also batter board
Two stakes with a crosspiece set a little outside each corner of a layout. Strings tied to them mark the outline and can be moved until the layout is square.
batting
A thin fluffy polyester sheet laid over the foam. It rounds the edges and lets the fabric slide, so the seat looks smooth and the fabric wears longer.
beam · also beams
A big horizontal member that carries joists or rafters and passes the load to posts.
bed bolt · also bed bolts
A long bolt that passes through one frame part into a nut buried in the other, so the furniture can be taken apart.
bedding sand · also leveling sand
A 1″ layer of coarse concrete sand screeded flat under pavers.
bevel · also bevelled, beveled
A cut tilted through the thickness of the board instead of square to the face.
birdsmouth · also bird's mouth, birdsmouths
A notch cut near the bottom of a rafter so it sits flat on top of a wall.
biscuit · also biscuits
A football-shaped wafer glued into slots in two boards to align them.
bleed water
The water that rises to the top of fresh concrete. Wait until it's gone before you smooth the surface, or the top stays weak and dusty.
board cream · also board butter
Mineral oil thickened with beeswax. Rubbed on after oiling, it seals the surface of a cutting board a little better than oil alone.
bottom plate · also bottom plates, sole plate
The horizontal 2×4 at the bottom of a wall that the studs stand on.
brad · also brads, brad nails
A thin small nail, usually shot from a brad nailer, to hold parts while glue dries.
brad nailer
An air or battery tool that shoots thin brads. Keep fingers clear of the nose.
brad-point bit · also brad point bit, brad-point
A wood drill bit with a sharp centre spike and two spurs. It starts exactly on your mark and leaves a clean hole.
breakaway · also breakaway post
A mailbox post made light enough to snap or bend over if a car hits it, instead of acting like a solid pole. Many road authorities require it.
broom finish
Fine lines dragged across fresh concrete with a stiff broom so the surface isn't slippery when wet.
browns
Dry, carbon-rich compost material: dead leaves, straw, shredded cardboard and paper, wood chips.
butcher block · also butcher-block
A thick countertop made of hardwood strips glued side by side, sold ready to cut. It moves a little with the seasons, so it is fastened with slotted holes or clips, never glued down.
butt hinge · also butt hinges
The plain two-leaf hinge on most room doors. Small ones join two panels edge to edge.
butt joint
The simplest joint: one board's end against another board, held with screws and glue.

C

cantilever · also cantilevered
A beam held at one end only, like a diving board or a rack arm. It bends more than a beam held at both ends, so it needs a stiff, well-fastened root.
carcass · also carcase
The main box of a cabinet or dresser: sides, top, bottom and back.
carriage bolt · also carriage bolts
A bolt with a smooth round head and a square neck that grips the wood, tightened with a nut and washer.
caster · also casters
A small wheel on a metal plate that screws to the bottom of a box or cart. Swivel casters turn in any direction.
caul · also cauls
A straight, stiff board clamped across a glue-up to keep the pieces flat and in line while the glue dries.
caulk · also caulked, caulking
A paste squeezed from a tube to seal gaps against water or air.
cedar
A light wood that resists rot naturally. Good for planters and outdoor furniture without chemicals.
cement
The grey powder that hardens concrete. "Cement" alone is not concrete; you need the bagged concrete mix.
chalk line
A string coated in chalk: stretch it tight and snap it to mark a long straight line.
chamfer · also chamfered
A small flat 45° slice along an edge to soften it.
chicken wire
Thin twisted-wire mesh with hexagon holes. It keeps chickens in but does not keep predators out: raccoons tear it and reach through it.
chip stone · also 3/8″ crushed stone
Small crushed stone, about 3/8″. The sharp faces lock together, so it makes a firm walking surface.
circular saw
A handheld power saw with a round blade, for straight cuts in boards and sheets. Let the blade stop before lifting it.
clamp · also clamps, clamped, clamping
A tool that squeezes parts together while glue dries or while you drive screws.
clean stone · also 3/4″ clean stone, clean gravel
Crushed stone with the dust washed out (often 3/4″ clean). Drains well; use it where water must get away.
clearance · also clearances, air gap, air gaps
The air gap an appliance needs around it, given in its installation manual. Too little and it runs hot, works harder and wears out.
cleat · also cleats
A strip of wood screwed to one part to support or hold another.
closet rod · also closet rods, hanging rod
The round bar that hangers hang from. Long rods bend under clothes unless they have a support in the middle.
closure strip · also closure strips
A foam strip shaped like the waves of a corrugated panel. It plugs the gaps under the panel at the low and high ends against birds, wasps and blown rain.
cold joint
A weak seam where fresh concrete was placed against concrete that had already started to stiffen. Avoid it by placing each batch while the last one is still soft.
combination square
A ruler with a sliding head for marking square lines and measuring depths.
compact · also compacted, compaction, compacting
Pressing loose soil or gravel down hard with a tamper or plate compactor so it won't settle later. Do it in layers 2–3″ thick.
concrete
Cement, sand, gravel and water mixed into a paste that hardens like stone. Sold dry in bags; you add water.
control joint · also control joints, groover
A groove cut into a slab so it cracks along the groove instead of randomly. One every 4–6 ft for a 4″ slab.
corner block · also corner blocks
A short block of wood glued and screwed across the inside corner where two aprons meet a leg. It stops a chair or stool from racking.
corner clamp · also corner clamps
A clamp that holds two pieces at exactly 90° while you glue or nail them.
counterbore
A wider, flat-bottomed hole above a screw hole so the head sits below the surface and can be plugged.
countersink · also countersunk, countersinking
A cone-shaped widening at the top of a hole so a screw head sits flush with the surface.
countertop bracket · also countertop brackets, hidden bracket, hidden brackets
A steel L-bracket screwed under a countertop overhang to hold it up where people sit or lean.
cripple · also cripples, cripple stud, cripple studs
A short stud between a door header and the top plate, keeping the 16″ stud rhythm over the opening.
cripple studs · also cripple stud
The short studs under a window, between the bottom of the window frame and the floor. Usually 16″ apart, like other studs.
cross-lap · also cross-lap joint, cross-lapped
Two boards that cross in an X or plus shape, each notched halfway through so they sit flush with each other.
crosscut · also crosscuts
A cut across the grain, making a board shorter.
crown
The slight upward bow along a board's edge. Set joists and rafters crown up, so weight flattens them.
crushed gravel · also crushed stone
Angular broken stone. The sharp edges lock together when compacted, so it stays put. Round pea gravel does not.
cubby · also cubbies
An open box-shaped compartment for shoes, baskets or bags.
cup hinge · also cup hinges, euro hinge, euro hinges, concealed hinge
A concealed cabinet hinge that sits in a 35 mm round hole drilled in the back of the door. Adjusts with its screws.
cupped · also cupping
A board that curves across its width, like a shallow trough.
cure · also curing, cured
Concrete hardening by a chemical reaction with water, not by drying out. Keep it damp for about a week so it gets strong.

D

d-ring · also d-rings, D-ring, D-rings
A small metal loop on a plate that screws to the back of a frame. Picture wire or a wall hook goes through it. Use them in pairs.
dado · also dadoes, dados
A flat-bottomed groove cut across a board for a shelf to sit in. Stronger and squarer than screws alone.
deck block · also deck blocks
A precast concrete block with a notch on top for a post or joist, set on compacted ground.
deck joist · also deck joists
A board on edge under a seat deck, between the front and back rails, that keeps the plywood from sagging between the rails.
deck screw · also deck screws
A coated, corrosion-resistant screw for outdoor wood.
deep litter
Keeping a thick layer of pine shavings on the coop floor and stirring it, adding fresh shavings on top instead of cleaning out every week.
demold · also demolding, de-mold
Taking a cast piece out of its mold once the concrete has set hard enough to hold its shape.
dense-grade aggregate · also crusher run, DGA, road base, quarry process
Crushed stone mixed with stone dust (sold as crusher run, DGA, QP or road base). It packs hard like a road; best for a base you compact.
depth stop · also stop collar
A collar on a drill bit, or a piece of tape wrapped around it, that shows when the hole is deep enough so every hole comes out the same.
diagonals · also diagonal
Corner-to-corner measurements. If both diagonals of a rectangle are equal, it's square.
diamond blade · also masonry blade, diamond masonry blade
A steel disc with diamond grit on the rim that grinds through concrete, pavers and stone. A wood blade won't cut them.
diverter · also downspout diverter
A fitting cut into a downspout that sends rain into a barrel until it is full, then lets the rest carry on down the downspout.
double hang
Two closet rods, one above the other, for shirts and folded trousers. It holds about twice as many short clothes as one rod.
dowel · also dowels
A short wooden pin glued into matching holes in two parts to line them up and hold them.
downspout · also downspouts
The vertical pipe that carries rain water from the roof gutter down to the ground.
drainage hole · also drainage holes, drain hole, drain holes
A hole in the bottom of a planter so extra water can escape instead of drowning roots and rotting the wood.
drainage holes · also drainage hole, weep holes, weep hole
Holes in the bottom of a planter so extra water runs out. Without them, roots sit in water and rot.
drawer box
The plain box of a drawer that rides on the slides; a nicer front is often screwed onto it.
drawer slide · also drawer slides, slides
A metal runner pair that lets a drawer roll in and out. Sold by length and weight rating.
drill/driver
A cordless drill for drilling holes and driving screws.
drip edge
A bent metal strip along roof edges that sheds water away from the wood.
drum mixer · also cement mixer, concrete mixer
A rentable electric mixer with a turning drum. It mixes two bags of concrete at a time while you place the last batch.
dry-fit · also dry fit, dry-fitting
Putting parts together without glue or screws to check they fit before the real assembly.
drywall anchor · also drywall anchors
A plastic or metal plug for hanging light things on drywall. Not for shelves that carry books.
dust cover · also dust cloth, cambric
A thin black cloth stapled under an upholstered seat to hide the raw fabric edges and staples.

E

easement · also easements
A strip of your yard someone else (a utility, a neighbour) has a right to use. Don't build on it.
eave · also eaves
The lower edge of a roof that hangs past the wall.
edge banding · also edge-band, edge-banding
A thin strip of real wood with heat glue on the back. You iron it onto plywood edges to hide the layers.
edge grain · also edge-grain
A board made of strips stood on their narrow edges, so the edges of the wood fibres face up. Tougher than a flat board and easier on knives than plastic.
edge restraint · also edging
Plastic, metal or concrete edging staked around pavers so they can't creep outward.
edger
A concrete tool with a curved lip that rounds the slab edge so it doesn't chip.
egg-crate · also egg crate
A grid made of strips that slot into each other halfway, like the dividers in an egg carton.
elbow height
The height of the underside of your elbow from the floor, standing relaxed with your upper arm hanging and forearm level.
end grain
The cut end of a board, where you see the growth rings. It soaks up glue and finish fast and holds screws poorly.
end panel · also end panels
A finished plywood panel at the end of a cabinet run, or beside a dishwasher, that hides the side and holds up the countertop.
entrance hole · also entrance holes
The round door of a birdhouse. Its size decides which birds can get in: a wren hole keeps out larger, bullying birds like starlings.
exposure
How much of each shingle row shows below the row above it: 5″ for standard 3-tab shingles.
exterior oil · also penetrating oil, penetrating stain
A penetrating oil finish made for outdoor wood (often with a little stain and mildew blocker). It soaks in instead of forming a film, so it never peels; you wipe on a fresh coat every year or two.
eye bolt · also eye bolts
A bolt with a closed loop for a head that goes all the way through a board and is held by a nut and washer.

F

face frame
A frame of narrow boards glued to the front of a cabinet box.
face grain
The wide, flat face of a board, where you see the long stripes and patterns of the wood.
false bottom
A floor set partway up a tall planter. Soil only fills the box above it, so you buy less soil and the planter weighs far less.
fascia
The board nailed across the ends of rafters along the eave.
fender washer · also fender washers
A wide, flat washer with a small hole. It spreads a bolt's grip over more wood so the nut can't pull into it.
figure-8 fastener · also figure-8 fasteners, figure-8, tabletop fasteners
A small steel piece shaped like an 8 that holds a tabletop to its frame while letting the wood move with the seasons.
finish
The protective coat on wood: paint, stain plus clear coat, oil or polyurethane.
finishing washer · also finishing washers
A cup-shaped washer that sits under a screw head on thin panels like pegboard, so the head can't pull through.
fledglings · also fledgling
Young birds that have just left, or are about to leave, the nest. Grooves inside the front help them climb out.
float · also bull float
A flat hand tool you sweep over wet concrete to push the stones down and bring smooth paste up; also to do that.
flush
Two surfaces exactly even, with no step between them.
footing · also footings
The concrete pad at the bottom of a post hole or under a structure that spreads its weight into the soil.
footrest · also footrests
A low rail on a tall stool where you rest your feet. It also braces the legs.
form release · also release oil, release agent
An oil sprayed or brushed on the inside of forms and molds so concrete doesn't stick to them.
form tube · also form tubes, sonotube, Sonotube
A heavy cardboard tube (Sonotube is a brand) that you set in a hole and fill with concrete to make a round pier.
formwork · also form boards
The temporary wooden box or tube that holds wet concrete in shape until it hardens.
forstner bit · also Forstner bit, forstner
A drill bit that cuts a clean flat-bottomed round hole, used for hinge cups and recesses.
framer's points · also framer's point, framers points, glazier points
Flat metal tabs pressed into the inside of a frame to hold the glass, art and backer in. Push them in with a putty knife; bend them up to open the frame again.
french cleat · also French cleat, french cleats
Two strips cut at 45°: one screwed to the wall, one to the back of the piece. The piece hooks on and pulls itself tight to the wall.
frost depth · also frost line, frost
How deep the ground freezes in winter where you live. Footings below it don't get pushed up by frost. Your town knows the number.
frost heave
Freezing soil swelling and lifting whatever sits on it, then dropping it again in spring.
full-overlay · also full overlay
Doors and drawer fronts that cover the front edges of the cabinet box almost completely.

G

gable · also gables, gable end
The triangular end wall under a two-sided roof.
galvanized · also hot-dip galvanized, galvanised
Steel coated in zinc so it doesn't rust outdoors. Use galvanized or stainless fasteners with pressure-treated wood.
gas strut · also gas struts, lid struts
A small gas-filled cylinder, like the ones on a car hatch, that holds a lid up and lets it close slowly. They are sold by force; pick the one that matches your lid.
glide · also glides
A small plastic or nylon foot under a leg. It keeps the end grain off wet ground and lets the piece slide without scratching.
glue-up · also glue up
Gluing and clamping several parts at once. Lay everything out and dry-fit first, because glue gives you about 10 minutes.
good face
The side of a board or sheet you want people to see. Keep it up or out, and mark the other side.
grade
The ground surface. "Above grade" means above the ground; "grade slopes" means the ground isn't level.
grain · also wood grain
The direction the wood fibres run, visible as lines along a board. Wood is strong and stable along the grain, weak and prone to splitting across it.
greens
Wet, nitrogen-rich compost material: vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings, plant trimmings.
grit · also grits
How coarse sandpaper is. Lower numbers (80) remove wood fast; higher numbers (180–220) make it smooth. Work up through the grits.
groove
A channel cut along the grain, for example to hold a drawer bottom.
ground anchor · also ground anchors, auger anchor, auger anchors
A steel corkscrew you twist deep into the soil and tie a small building down to, so wind can't slide or tip it.
ground contact · also ground-contact
A rating on pressure-treated lumber for wood that touches soil or sits where it stays wet. Use "ground contact" for posts, skids and anything near dirt.
growth rings · also growth ring
The curved lines you see on the end of a board, one per year the tree grew. Their curve shows which way a board will cup as it dries.

H

half-lap · also half lap, half-laps
A joint where each board is cut halfway through its thickness so they cross flush.
hand hole · also hand holes
A slot cut through a board to grip it by, instead of a handle.
hand tamper · also tamper, tamp, tamped, tamping
A heavy flat steel plate on a handle; you lift and drop it to pack gravel or soil.
hardware cloth
Stiff welded wire mesh with small square holes (1/4″ or 1/2″). Unlike chicken wire, raccoons and rats can't tear or squeeze through it.
hardwood
Wood from leafy trees (oak, maple, walnut). Harder and pricier than pine; predrill every screw.
heartwood
The darker wood from the middle of the tree. In cedar it holds the natural oils that resist rot; pale sapwood rots much faster.
herringbone
A zigzag pattern with each piece set at a right angle to the next. In pavers it's the strongest pattern, and the one with the most cuts.
high-density foam · also upholstery foam, foam
Firm upholstery foam that springs back for years. Buy "high-density" (1.8 lb or more) for seats; soft craft foam flattens in weeks.
hole saw · also hole saws
A round saw cup that fits on a drill and cuts clean round holes. Let the pilot bit go through first and keep the drill straight.
hopper · also hoppers
The seed bin of a feeder. Seed trickles out of a narrow gap at the bottom as birds eat it.
hurricane tie · also hurricane ties
A bent steel strap that ties a rafter or joist down to the wall or beam so wind can't lift it.

I

impact driver
A compact drill that hammers as it turns, for driving long screws easily.
inset
A door or drawer front that sits inside its opening, flush with the frame around it, instead of covering it.
isolation joint · also expansion joint, isolation strip, expansion strip
A strip of foam or fibre board where new concrete meets a wall, step or older slab, so each can move without cracking the other.

J

j-bolt · also J-bolt, j-bolts, anchor bolt
An L- or J-shaped bolt set into wet concrete, sticking up to hold a post base or plate.
jack stud · also jack studs, trimmer
A shorter stud nailed inside each king stud. The door header sits on top of the two jack studs.
jigsaw
A handheld saw with a short up-and-down blade, for curves.
joist · also joists
One of the parallel boards that hold up a floor or deck, set on edge.
joist hanger · also joist hangers
A U-shaped steel bracket that holds the end of a joist against a beam or rim. Fill every nail hole with the nails the label names.

K

kerf
The slot a saw blade removes, about 1/8″ wide. Measure to the side of the line you keep, and cut on the waste side.
king stud · also king studs
A full-height stud on each side of a door opening, next to the shorter jack stud.
knock-down · also knockdown
Built so it comes apart with a wrench for moving, using bolts instead of glue at the main joints.
knot · also knots
A dark round spot where a branch grew. Loose knots can fall out; avoid them near cuts and screws.

L

lag screw · also lag screws, lag bolt, lag bolts
A big, thick screw with a hex head, driven with a socket wrench into a predrilled hole.
landscape edging
Plastic, steel or wood strips set on edge along a path or bed to keep the gravel in and the grass out.
landscape fabric · also geotextile, weed barrier
A woven or felt sheet laid under gravel to keep it from mixing into the soil and to slow weeds.
lattice
A grid of thin wood strips crossing each other, for climbing plants to grab and weave through.
lean-to · also lean to
A building with a single-slope roof: one wall is taller than the other, so rain runs off one side.
ledger · also ledgers
A strip screwed along the inside of a rail so other parts (joists, slats) can rest on it.
level · also levelled, leveled
Perfectly horizontal; also the tool (a bubble in a vial) that shows it.
level cut · also level cuts
An end cut on a slanted board made so the cut face sits flat and level on what is below it.
lid stay · also lid stays, lift stay, lift stays
A folding metal arm that holds a lid or flap open so it can't fall on your hand.
lid support · also lid stay, lid supports, soft-close lid support
A spring hinge-arm fixed between a lid and its box that holds the lid open at any height and lowers it slowly, so it cannot slam on hands.
lifts
Layers of gravel or soil, each spread and compacted before the next goes on.
line level · also string level
A tiny bubble level that hooks onto a tight string to show when the string is level.
lock nut · also nylon lock nut, lock nuts
A nut with a nylon ring inside that grips the bolt, so it does not loosen when the joint moves. Also called a nylon lock nut or nyloc.
long point · also long points, short point, short points
On a piece with 45° miters, the tip on the longer edge. Frame lengths are measured long point to long point.

M

magnesium float · also mag float
A flat hand float, 12–16″ long, made of light metal. Swept over wet concrete it pushes the stones down and brings smooth paste up.
magnetic catch · also magnetic catches
A small magnet and a metal plate that hold a cabinet door or flap shut.
mason's line · also mason line, string line
Strong nylon string stretched tight between stakes to mark straight lines and heights outdoors.
mdo plywood · also MDO, MDO plywood
Medium-density overlay plywood: exterior plywood with a smooth resin-paper face made for painted signs. Paint sticks well and the grain never shows through.
mesh chair · also mesh chairs, rebar chair, rebar chairs
A small plastic stand that holds wire mesh up in the middle of the slab's thickness, where it does its job.
mineral oil · also food-grade mineral oil
A clear, odourless oil sold as "food-grade" or as a laxative at the pharmacy. It soaks into wood and never goes rancid, so it is the standard finish for cutting boards.
mirror image · also mirror images
A left and right part that match like your two hands: the same, but flipped.
miter · also mitre, mitered
An angled cut, usually 45°, so two pieces meet at a corner without showing end grain.
miter saw · also chop saw
A saw on a pivoting arm that chops boards to length at exact angles. Also called a chop saw.
moisture
Water in the wood. Wet wood shrinks as it dries, so let new lumber sit indoors a few days before building furniture.
mortar
Cement and sand without gravel, for laying bricks and blocks. Not for footings or slabs.
mortise · also mortises
A rectangular hole cut into a leg or post for a tenon to fit into.

N

nest box · also nest boxes, nesting box, nesting boxes
A small box (about 12″ cube) with bedding where hens lay eggs. One box is enough for three or four hens.
nesting tables
A set of tables of falling sizes, each one sliding under the next to save space.
no-mortise hinge · also no-mortise hinges
A small hinge whose leaves fold into each other, so you just screw it on: no recess has to be chiselled into the wood.
nominal size · also nominal
The name a board is sold by, not its real size. A "2×4" is really 1 1/2″ × 3 1/2″; a "1×12" is 3/4″ × 11 1/4″. Plans here always use the real (actual) size.
notch · also notches, notched
A cut-out on the edge of a board so another part can sit in it.

O

on center · also o.c., OC
Spacing measured from the middle of one board to the middle of the next. "16″ on center" is the usual stud and joist spacing.
open time
How long glue stays workable after you spread it: about 5–10 minutes for wood glue.
osb · also OSB
Oriented strand board: sheets of wood chips pressed with glue. Cheaper than plywood, used for sheathing and roofs, swells if it stays wet.
outfeed · also outfeed table, outfeed wing, outfeed wings
The side of a saw where the cut piece comes out. An outfeed table holds long pieces level as they leave the blade, so they don't tip or pinch.
overflow
The outlet near the top of a rain barrel that lets extra water out once it is full. Point it, or a hose on it, well away from the house foundation.
overhang · also overhangs
How far one part sticks out past what it sits on, like a tabletop past the legs or a roof past the wall.

P

p-trap · also P-trap, drain trap
The U-shaped bend in the drain pipe under a sink. It holds a little water that keeps sewer smells out. Don't bump or loosen it.
paver base
The compacted gravel layer under pavers, usually 4–6″ thick.
pavers · also paver
Concrete or stone blocks laid tight together on a sand-and-gravel base to make a patio or path.
pea gravel
Small, smooth, round stones about 3/8″ across. Soft underfoot, but they roll and never lock together.
pedestal
A single central column that holds up a tabletop, standing on spreading feet.
pegboard
Hardboard with a grid of holes 1″ apart. Metal hooks drop into the holes. It needs a gap behind it so the hooks can go in.
penetrating oil · also exterior oil
A finish that soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top as a film. It never peels; you just clean and recoat it.
piano hinge · also continuous hinge
One long thin hinge running the full length of a lid, screwed every few inches. It spreads the load so the lid doesn't twist.
picture wire
Braided steel wire strung between two D-rings so a frame can hang from a hook. The package says how much weight it holds.
pier · also piers
A concrete column (usually poured in a cardboard tube) that holds a post above the ground.
pilot hole · also pilot holes, predrill, predrilled, pre-drill
A small hole drilled first so a screw goes in straight and doesn't split the wood. Use a bit a bit thinner than the screw.
pitch · also roof pitch
How steep a roof is, given as rise per 12″ of run: a 4/12 pitch rises 4″ every foot.
pivot bolt · also pivot bolts, pivot
A bolt that parts turn around, like the leg of a folding board. It is tightened with a nylon lock nut so it stays put while still letting the parts swing.
plate compactor
A rentable gas machine with a vibrating plate that packs gravel far better than a hand tamper.
pleat · also pleats, pleated
A neat fold in fabric at a corner, pressed flat and stapled, like the folded end of a wrapped present.
plumb · also out of plumb
Perfectly vertical. Check with a level held against the side of a post, on two sides.
plywood
Sheets made of thin wood layers glued with the grain crossing. Flat, strong both ways, sold 4′ × 8′.
pocket hole · also pocket holes, pocket-hole, pocket screws, pocket screw
A screw hole drilled at a steep angle with a jig, so the screw pulls two boards together and the hole hides on the back.
pocket-hole jig
A clamp-on guide (Kreg is the common brand) that drills pocket holes at the right angle and depth.
polymeric sand
Sand with a binder that hardens when wetted, swept into paver joints to lock them and stop weeds.
polyurethane · also poly
A clear, hard varnish that protects wood from water and wear. Use water-based for indoors, oil-based or spar urethane for outdoors.
pop door · also pop doors
The small door the chickens use to go in and out of the coop. You close it at night once they are inside.
post base · also post bases
A steel bracket that holds a post off concrete so the end doesn't sit in water.
post-hole digger · also post hole digger, clamshell digger
A two-handled tool with clamshell blades for digging narrow deep holes for posts.
potting mix
A light, fluffy soil made for containers (peat or coir, compost and perlite). Garden dirt packs down hard in a box and drowns roots.
pre-stain conditioner · also wood conditioner
A thin sealer brushed onto soft woods like pine before stain, so the colour soaks in evenly instead of blotchy.
predator apron · also apron
A strip of hardware cloth laid flat on (or just under) the ground around a run. Digging animals dig straight down at the wall, hit the wire and give up.
predrilling
Drilling a pilot hole before driving a screw, so the wood doesn't split. Essential near the end of a board and in cedar, which splits easily.
pressure-treated · also pressure treated, PT lumber, treated lumber
Lumber soaked with preservative so it resists rot and insects outdoors. Use it for anything touching the ground. Wear gloves and a mask when cutting; never burn the offcuts.
prevailing wind
The direction storms and wind usually come from where you live. Lap roof panels so the laps face away from it.
primer
The first coat under paint that seals the wood so paint sticks and covers evenly.
project panel · also project panels
A 2′ × 4′ piece of plywood sold ready-cut at home centers: easier to carry and cheaper than a full sheet for small builds.
prop stick · also prop bar
A bar that props a hinged part up and drops into notches to hold it at different angles, like a chaise lounge back.
purlin · also purlins
A board (here a 2×4 laid flat) running across the rafters so metal roof panels have something to screw into every 2 feet.
push stick
A notched stick that pushes wood past a table saw blade so your hand never goes near it.

R

rabbet · also rabbets
A step cut along the edge or end of a board, like a dado with one side missing.
racking · also racked
A frame leaning sideways out of square, like a bookcase that wobbles side to side. Backs, aprons and braces stop it.
rafter · also rafters
One of the sloped boards that hold up a roof.
rafter tail · also rafter tails, tails
The end of a top board that sticks out past the beam it rests on, often cut to a curve for looks.
rail · also rails
A horizontal frame member, such as the board between two legs or across a door frame.
raise the grain · also raising the grain, grain raising
Wetting sanded wood on purpose so the loose fibres stand up, then sanding them off. The piece stays smooth the first time it gets wet in use.
rake edge · also rake edges, rakes
The sloped side edge of a roof, from the low corner up to the peak or the high edge.
random-orbit sander · also orbital sander, random orbit sander
A round power sander that doesn't leave swirl marks. The usual sander for furniture.
ready-mix · also ready mix, ready-mixed
Concrete mixed at a plant and delivered in a drum truck. Cheaper and far less work than bags once you need more than about 1 cubic yard.
rebar
Steel reinforcing bar laid inside concrete to hold cracks together.
reveal
A small, deliberate step or gap between two parts, so slight misalignment doesn't show.
ridge board · also ridge
The board along the peak of a roof that the rafters lean against.
ridge cap · also ridge caps, cap shingles
Shingle pieces bent over the peak of a roof, each lapping the last, to cover the joint where the two slopes meet.
rigid foam · also foam board, foam boards
Stiff boards of plastic foam (XPS is usually pink or blue) that insulate. Dogs chew it, so it always goes behind plywood or under the floor.
rim joist · also rim joists, rim, band joist
The joist that runs around the outside edge of a floor frame, capping the ends of the other joists.
rip · also rip cut, ripping, ripped
A cut along the grain, making a board narrower.
roost bar · also roost bars, roost
The perch chickens sleep on at night. A 2×4 laid flat lets them cover their toes with their feathers in winter.
rough opening
The framed hole in a wall for a door or window, a little bigger than the door itself.
round-over · also roundover, rounded over
An edge rounded with a router bit or sandpaper so it's comfortable to touch.
router
A spinning-bit tool for cutting grooves, dadoes and rounded edges.
run · also chicken run
The fenced, roofed pen where chickens spend the day outside the coop.
rung · also rungs
One of the cross bars between the two side rails of a ladder-style piece.
runner · also runners
A rail that something slides along, like the strips a storage tote hangs from by its rim.
running bond
A paver or brick pattern in straight rows, each row shifted half a paver from the one before. The easiest pattern to lay.

S

sag · also deflection
How much a shelf or board bends down in the middle under load. Plans here check it against a limit.
sapwood
The pale outer wood of a tree, just under the bark. It rots far sooner than heartwood outdoors.
sawhorse · also sawhorses
A short trestle, usually used in pairs, that holds boards and sheets at a comfortable height for cutting. Not something to stand on.
screed · also screeding, screeded
A straight board dragged across the top of a form in a sawing motion to strike wet concrete or sand flat; also to do that.
screed pipes · also screed pipe, screed rails
Two straight 1″ pipes laid on the base as rails. A board dragged along them strikes the sand to an even 1″.
screw eye · also screw eyes
A screw with a closed loop for a head, for hanging things from a board.
sealant strip · also tar strip
The black tar line across the middle of an asphalt shingle. The sun softens it and it glues down the row above so wind can't lift it.
sealing washer · also sealing washers, sealing-washer
A rubber washer under the head of a roofing screw. Snugged down, it squashes and seals the hole.
seat deck
The flat platform cushions sit on: plywood or slats on a frame.
semi-transparent stain
An outdoor stain that colours the wood but lets the grain show. It soaks in, blocks some sun and fades gently instead of peeling.
setback · also setbacks
The minimum distance a town requires between a structure and the property line.
sheathing
Sheets (OSB or plywood) nailed over a frame to stiffen it and cover it.
sheet mulching
Covering grass with flattened cardboard before you add soil on top. The grass dies in the dark and the cardboard rots into the soil.
shelf pin · also shelf pins
A small metal peg that pushes into a 1/4″ hole to hold an adjustable shelf.
shim · also shims, shimmed
A thin wedge slipped under or behind something to level or plumb it.
shoulder · also shoulders
The step where a tenon meets the full-width board. Shoulders sit tight against the leg.
shoulder height · also height at the shoulder
A dog's height from the ground to the top of its shoulder blades (the withers), measured standing. Dog houses, doors and crates are sized from it.
shutoff valve · also shut-off valve, shutoff
The small tap on the wall behind a toilet or sink that turns its water off. Keep it where a hand can reach it.
siding
The weatherproof outside layer of a wall.
sight opening
The hole in the front of a frame you see the picture through. It is smaller than the glass, because the glass edges hide behind the frame's lip.
silica dust · also silica, crystalline silica
The fine dust from cutting or grinding concrete, pavers and stone. Breathing it scars the lungs for good (silicosis). Cut wet and wear an N95 or better.
sisal · also sisal rope
A stiff natural rope made from agave fibre. Cats love scratching it, and it doesn't snag claws the way looped carpet can.
skid · also skids
A long timber laid on the ground or gravel that a shed floor sits on, so the shed can be dragged if moved.
slat · also slats, slatted
A narrow board laid with gaps between it and the next one, so rain runs through and air dries the wood.
slump
How runny wet concrete is. Low slump is stiff like peanut butter; high slump pours like a milkshake. You want it stiff: wetter concrete is weaker.
softwood
Wood from evergreen trees (pine, fir, cedar). Most lumber at home centers.
spacer · also spacers, spacer block
A scrap block cut to an exact size and used to set a gap or a height the same every time, instead of measuring each one.
spade bit
A flat, paddle-shaped bit for fast large holes in wood.
span · also spans
The unsupported distance between two supports.
spar urethane
A clear finish made to flex with outdoor wood and resist sun.
speed square
A small triangular metal square for marking 90° and 45° lines and guiding a circular saw.
spigot · also spigots
The little tap near the bottom of a barrel (or on the house wall) where you fill a watering can or connect a hose.
spray adhesive
Glue in an aerosol can. Spray both surfaces lightly, wait until tacky (about a minute), then press together.
square · also out of square
Exactly 90°. A square box has equal diagonals. Also the tool used to check it.
squeeze-out
Glue that oozes from a clamped joint. Scrape it off when it turns rubbery, or it blocks stain.
stainless · also stainless steel
Stainless steel fasteners: won't rust or stain cedar. Best (and priciest) for outdoor work.
standoff · also standoffs
A spacer that holds a panel a little away from the wall, leaving room behind it (for pegboard hooks, for example).
staple gun · also staple guns
A hand or electric tool that shoots short U-shaped staples into wood. Press the nose flat and firm before you squeeze, or the staple stands up.
starter hole · also starter holes
A hole drilled inside a cut-out so a jigsaw blade can get in to start cutting.
starter strip · also starter course, starter strips
The first, hidden row of shingles along the bottom edge of a roof, with the tabs cut off. It seals down the first real row and covers its slots.
stencil · also stencils, stenciled
A thin sheet with letters cut out of it. Hold it flat and dab paint through the holes to get clean letters.
stile · also stiles
A vertical frame member at the side of a door or face frame.
stop block · also stop blocks
A block clamped to a saw fence or bench at a set distance, so you can cut many pieces exactly the same length without measuring each one.
straw
Dry hollow stalks left after grain is harvested. As dog-house bedding it stays dry and warm; hay and blankets soak up moisture and stay damp.
stretcher · also stretchers
A rail between legs near the floor that stops a table or chair from wobbling.
stringer · also stringers
On a chair or lounge, one of the long side boards the seat slats sit on. It carries the weight from the seat to the legs.
structural screw · also structural screws
A hardened, coated screw rated to replace lag screws in framing (brands: Spax, GRK, FastenMaster).
stud · also studs
A 2×4 (or 2×6) board, about 8′ long; also each vertical 2×4 inside a wall.
stud finder
A tool you slide on a wall that beeps over the wood studs behind the drywall. Studs are usually 16″ apart.
subgrade · also sub-grade
The dug-out soil at the bottom of the hole that the gravel sits on. Firm, undisturbed soil is best; loose fill settles.
supply line · also supply lines, water supply line
The flexible water pipe from the wall to a toilet or sink. Never drill or screw near it.

T

t1-11 · also T1-11
Grooved plywood siding panels that act as the wall and the outside finish of a shed in one sheet.
table saw
A saw with the blade sticking up through a table; you push the wood through. Powerful and dangerous: use the guard, riving knife and a push stick.
tack cloth
A slightly sticky cloth that picks up fine sanding dust just before you finish.
tannin
A natural chemical in cedar and oak. It reacts with plain steel and leaves black stains, which is why cedar gets stainless screws.
tannins · also tannin
Natural chemicals in cedar and oak. They react with plain steel and leave black streaks, which is why cedar needs stainless or coated screws.
tenon · also tenons
A tongue on the end of a board, cut to fit tightly in a mortise. Glued, it's one of the strongest joints.
thumbprint test
Press your thumb into fresh concrete: when it leaves a print about 1/4″ deep and no water fills it, the surface is ready to edge, groove and finish.
tilt-out · also tilt out
A cabinet front hinged at the bottom that tips forward, carrying a tray (here, a trash bin) out with it.
tin snips
Heavy scissors for cutting sheet metal such as drip edge and roof panels.
tip-over · also tip over, tip-overs
Tall furniture falling forward, often when drawers are open or someone climbs it. Anchor it to a stud.
toe kick · also toe-kick
The recessed space at the bottom front of a cabinet so your toes fit under it.
toe-screw · also toe screw, toe-screwed, toenail, toe-nail, toenailed
Driving a screw at an angle through the side of one board into another, when you can't reach the end.
toggle bolt · also toggle bolts, toggle anchor
A wall anchor whose wings open behind drywall. For hollow walls when there's no stud; holds far less than a stud.
top plate · also top plates, double top plate
The horizontal 2×4 nailed across the top of a wall's studs.
torsion box
A hollow panel made of two thin skins glued to a grid of ribs. It is much stiffer and lighter than a solid board of the same thickness, like a hollow-core door.
tote · also totes, storage tote
A plastic storage bin with a lid and a lip (rim) around the top edge.
track saw
A circular saw that runs on a straight rail, for clean cuts in big sheets.
trammel
A strip of wood or ruler with a nail at one end and a pencil or saw at the other, used to draw or cut a circle.
trestle · also trestles
A table base made of two upright end frames joined by a long rail, instead of four legs at the corners.
trim-head screw
A screw with a very small head that sinks just below the surface, so it is hard to see.
trowel · also troweled, trowelled
A flat steel blade for smoothing concrete or spreading mortar.
turn button · also turn buttons
A small flat tab held by one screw. Swing it over the back panel to hold it in, or away to open the frame.
turnbuckle · also turnbuckles
A metal link with a threaded hook or eye at each end. Turning the middle body pulls the ends together to tighten a line.
turning · also turn the pile
Forking a compost pile over into the next bay (or back into the same one) so air gets to the middle and it heats up again.
twist · also twisted
A board whose ends are not flat to each other, like a propeller. Skip twisted boards at the store.

U

underlayment · also roofing felt, felt paper
Roofing paper or synthetic sheet laid on the roof deck under the shingles as a second water barrier.
upholstery fabric · also fabric
Heavy woven fabric made for seats. Look for a "double rub" rating of 15,000 or more on the label.
upright · also uprights
A vertical board that other parts hang from or rest on, like the posts of a rack.
utility knife
A knife with a replaceable razor blade. A hooked blade cuts shingles from the back.

V

veneer
A very thin layer of nice wood glued over a cheaper core, as on birch plywood.

W

waste side
The side of your pencil line that becomes scrap. Cut there so the blade's kerf doesn't make your part short.
wet saw
A saw with a diamond blade cooled by a stream of water. Rent one to cut pavers: the water keeps the dust down.
wheelbarrow
Also your concrete mixing tub: mix up to two bags at a time in it with a hoe.
winding sticks
Two straight sticks laid across the ends of a surface. Sight across their tops: if they aren't parallel, the surface is twisted.
wire mesh · also welded wire mesh, remesh
A grid of welded steel wire set in the middle of a slab's thickness to limit cracking.
wood filler
A putty for filling nail holes and small gaps before sanding and painting.