CONSTRUCTION DICTIONARY

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GABLE:
The vertical portion of a roof (usually covered with siding) found at the end of a double sided triangular roof.

GABLE END:
An end wall having a gable.

GABLE ROOF:
An angled roof, triangular in shape.

GABLE VENT:
A triangular or rectangular ventilation opening found in the upper portion of a gable wall.

GAMBREL ROOF:
A roof that has two, differently angled slopes on each side of the peak, the upper slope being flatter while the lower slope is steeper.

GARDEN APARTMENTS:
A description of a kind of apartment unit which enjoys direct access to a lawn or other garden-like area.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
The central figure in most construction pyramids, the person hired by the owner to plan and oversee the entire job. Often hires subcontractors who specialize in the various trades required for the job (i.e. plumbers, electricians, framers, carpenters, etc.).

GEORGIAN:
A classic looking, English-style house, rectangular in shape, large, with two or three storeys complemented by classic lines.

GIRDER:
A large or main load bearing beam (wood or steel) used to support large loads.

GRADE:
The contour of the land, usually around a building, which affects drainage patterns on the property.

GRADE LEVEL:
The surface contour of the land around a foundation.

GRADIENT:
Expressed as a percentage, the rate of increase or decrease in the level of land, the slope.

GRAIN OF A WOOD:
The direction, arrangement, size, appearance and quality of the fibers found in a piece of wood.

GRAIN, EDGE (or VERTICAL EDGE or QUARTERSAWN EDGE):
Edge grain lumber refers to lumber that has been sawed parallel to the length of the log and at approximately 90 degrees to the growth rings.

GRAIN, FLAT:
Flat grain lumber refers to lumber that has been sawed parallel to the length of the log but at an angle less than 45 degrees to the growth rings.

GROSS AREA:
The total floor space of a building, including unusable space, measured from the outside walls.

GROUP HOME:
A dwelling which has been adapted to house a number of un-related persons who share a common characteristic.

GROUT:
A type of mortar that is used to fill the joints and cavities found between pieces of masonry or ceramics. Often used to fill the joints between ceramic floor tiles and bathroom tiles.

GUTTER OR EAVE TROUGH:
A length of metal or plastic material formed into a shallow channel or trough that is attached to the outside edge of a roof edge to catch and redirect rainwater from the roof.

GYPSUM BOARD (or drywall):
A paper covered sheet of compressed gypsum or plaster used on interior walls as a final finish. Usually manufactured in 4x8 foot sections.