CONSTRUCTION DICTIONARY

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DADO:
Any rectangular groove that has been cut across the width of a board or plank.

DEAD-END STREET:
Also known as "Cul de Sac". A street which is closed at one end so that traffic cannot flow through it.

DEAD LOAD:
The static nonmovable weight of materials on some object or support after construction is complete.

DECK SHEATHING:
Any covering that goes over floors, roofs, rafters, joists or studs. Usually wood boards, waferboard or plywood. See "SHEATHING".

DIMENSION LUMBER:
Wood lumber that ranges from 2 inches thick up to, but not including, 5 inches thick and 2 or more inches wide. Includes joists, rafters, studs, and planks.

DISTRIBUTION PANEL:
A separate or auxiliary breaker or fuse box separate from the main electrical service entrance. Its purpose is to tie all the electrical circuits of building into the main power line and allow each individual circuit to be protected by fuses or breakers to avoid overloading. Often referred to as the fuse box or service panel.

DOOR HEADER:
A lintel (beam) located over a door to carry/redirect any load from above the door to the side door studs.

DORMER:
Any structure whose framing projects out of a sloping roof to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.

DOUBLE BRICK WALL: As opposed to brick veneer walls.
A type of brick wall where the exterior walls consist of two separate courses of brick that have been tied together by turning a course of bricks 90 degrees to the wall every so often. This type of wall often is load bearing, as opposed to Brick Veneer construction where the exterior brick is decorative and non-load bearing. See "BRICK VENEER WALL".

DOUBLE SWING DOOR:
Any door that swings two ways into both adjoining rooms.

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS:
A window where both the top and bottom section of the window moves up and down.

DOUBLE PLATE:
Two pieces of lumber located on the upper horizontal section of a framed wall to tie partitions and walls together.

DOWNSPOUT:
Any pipe used for carrying rainwater from roof gutters to the ground or drain.

DRAIN:
A means, whether natural or otherwise, by which water is allowed to flow off a property.

DRAIN TILE:
Underground clay or synthetic pipes or tiles used to carry water from areas that need to remain dry, such as foundation walls.

DRESSED AND MATCHED:
Often referred to as "TONGUE AND GROOVE". Boards or planks that have been finished so that there is a groove on one side of the board and a corresponding tongue on the other edge. When two pieces are placed together the tongue of one fits into the groove of the other forming a natural joint between the two boards. Often used in hardwood flooring.

DRESSED LUMBER:
Lumber that has been finished or planed so it has a smooth finish.

DRESSED SIZED LUMBER:
The actual dimension of lumber after shrinking from its green, higher-moisture-content dimensions and after being machined /planed smooth. As an example, after shrinkage and dressing a standard 2"x4" stud is actually 1 5/8" x 3 1/2".

DRIP CAP:
A thin strip of material placed above a door or window frame to direct water so that it drips beyond the frame itself, thus avoiding having water run down the door or window surface.

DRIP EDGE:
A narrow preformed piece of sheet metal placed along the edge of a roof line so it overhangs the edge of the roof and allows water to be carried beyond the roof edge and drip directly to the ground.

DRY ROT:
A wood fungus that thrives in damp conditions and turns wood fibers into powder.

DRYWALL:
A paper coated board made primarily of gypsum that is commonly used as a finish on interior walls of buildings. It is usually manufactured in 4x8 foot pieces.

DUCTS:
The round or rectangular pipes found in most homes connected to the heating/cooling system for distributing warm or cool air throughout the home.

DUPLEX:
A building which houses two separate dwelling units.

DUTCH DOOR:
Any door with separately hinged upper and lower halves that can be opened independently.

DWELLING:
A house, home, living unit. Generally refers to a building designed for use as a living space.