Remodeling Terminology & Definitions · S

The following is a list of industry related terminology which we at The Remod Squad® thought might be helpful to both homeowners and professionals alike. Definitions will be continually added to this list.

saddle

Two sloping surfaces meeting in a horizontal ridge, used between the back side of a chimney, or other vertical surface, and a sloping roof.

sand float finish

Lime mixed with sand, resulting in a textured finish.

sapwood

The outer zone of wood, next to the bark. In the living tree it contains some living cells (the heartwood contains none), as well as dead and dying cells. In most species, it is lighter colored than the heartwood. In all species, it is lacking in decay resistance.

sash

A single light frame containing one or more lights of glass.

sash balance

A device, usually operated by a spring or tensioned weather-stripping designed to counterbalance a double-hung window sash.

saturated felt

A felt that is impregnated with tar or asphalt.

scratch

coat The first coat of plaster, which is scratched to form a bond for the second coat.

screed

A small strip of wood, usually the thickness of the plaster, coat, used as a guide for plastering.

scribing

Fitting woodwork to an irregular surface. In moldings, cutting the end of one piece to fit the molded face of the other at an interior angle to replace a miter joint.

sealer

A finishing material, either clear or pigmented, that is usually applied directly over uncoated wood for the purpose of sealing the surface.

seasoning

Removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its serviceability.

semi-gloss paint or enamel

A paint or enamel made with a slight insufficiency of nonvolatile vehicle so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy.

shake

A thick hand-split shingle, resawed to form two shakes, usually edge-grained.

sheathing

The structural covering, usually wood boards or plywood, used over studs or rafters of a structure. Structural building board is normally used only as wall sheathing.

sheathing paper

A building material, generally paper or felt, used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and sometimes moisture.

sheet metal work

All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts.

shellac

A transparent coating made by dissolving lac, a resinous secretion of the lac bug (a scale insect that thrives in tropical countries, especially India), in alcohol.

shingles

Roof covering of asphalt, asbestos, wood, tile, slate, or other material cut to stock lengths, widths, and thicknesses.

shingle siding

Various kinds of shingles, such as wood shingles or shakes and nonwood shingles that are used over sheathing for exterior sidewall covering of a structure.

shingle stain

A form of oil paint, very thin in consistency, intended for coloring wood with rough surfaces, such as shingles, without forming a coating of significant thickness or gloss.

shiplap

Lumber that is edge-dressed to make a close rabbeted or lapped joint.

shutter

Usually lightweight louvered or flush wood or nonwood frames in the form of doors located at each side of a window. Some are made to close over the window for protection; others are fastened to the wall as a decorative device.

siding

The finish covering of the outside wall of a frame building, whither made of horizontal weatherboards, vertical boards with battens, shingles, or other materials.

sill

The lowest member of the frame of a structure, resting on the foundation and supporting the floor joists or the uprights of the wall. The member forming the lower side of an opening, as a doorsill, windowsill, etc.

sleeper

Usually a wood member embedded in concrete, as in a floor, that serves to support and to fasten subfloor or flooring.

soffit

Usually the underside of an overhanging cornice.

soil cover (ground cover)

A light covering of plastic film, roll roofing, or similar material used over the soil in crawl spaces of buildings to minimize moisture permeation of the area.

soil stack

A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping.

solid bridging

A solid member placed between adjacent floor joists near the center of the span to prevent joists from twisting.

span

The distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses.

splash block

A small masonry block laid with the top close to the ground surface to receive roof drainage from downspouts and to carry it away from the building.

square

A unit of measure­100 square feet­usually applied to roofing material. Sidewall coverings are sometimes packed to cover 100 square feet and are sold on that basis.

stair carriage

Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2-inch plank notched to receive the treads, sometimes called a "rough horse."

step flashing

Galvanized steel or aluminum metal bent at 90 degrees woven between each row of shingles installed when a roof slope meets a vertical wall.

STC (Sound Transmission Class)

A measure of sound stopping short of ordinary noise.

stile

The upright or vertical outside pieces of a sash, door, window, or screen.

stool

A flat molding fitted over the windowsill between jambs and contacting the bottom rail of the lower sash.

storm sash or storm window

An extra window usually placed on the outside of an existing one as additional protection against cold weather.

story

That part of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above.

strip flooring

Wood flooring consisting of narrow, matched strips.

stringer

A timber or other support for cross member in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest, also stringboard.

stucco

Most commonly refers to an outside plaster made with Portland cements as its base.

stud

One of a series of slender wood or metal vertical structural members placed as supporting elements in walls and partitions. (Plural: studs or studding.)

subfloor

Boards or plywood laid on joists over which a finish floor is to be laid.

suspended ceiling

A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing.