CONSTRUCTION DICTIONARY

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RABBET:
Any rectangular piece of lumber with a rectangular longitudinal ell cutout at one of its edges to make a rabbeted, lapped joint. Also referred to as shiplap lumber.

RADIAL SAW:
A circular power saw that is suspended on a movable track over a cutting. It can cut both perpendicular cross cuts and longitudinal rip cuts. There are also two axis adjustments that allow the cutting of both simple and complex miters on any angle. Between 0 and 90 degrees.

RAFTER:
One of the sloped parallel boards that make up a roof structure.

RAFTER, HIP:
A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle on a pyramid shaped roof with four equally sloping sides from each edge of the roof that meet in the middle (called a hip roof).

RAFTER, VALLEY:
Any rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle, forming the valley between two angled roof surfaces that water runs off during rain.

RANCH HOUSE:
A description of a one-storey house, developed from the old, western-style homes.

REBAR:
The common term used to denote the steel reinforcement bar used to reinforce formed concrete slabs, beams or columns.

RECESSED FLOOR:
Any floor constructed at a lower level than other floors on that level. Often found in sunken family or living rooms.

REFLECTIVE INSULATION:
Sheet material that has had one or both sides covered with a material of high heat reflection, such as aluminum foil.

REGENCY HOUSE:
A two-storey or three-storey house in a traditional English style of the Regency Period, symmetrical in construction with a hip roof. May have a small, eight-sided window above the front door.

REHABILITATE:
To restore, refurbish, bring back to original condition.

REINFORCED CONCRETE:
Poured concrete that has had a steel reinforcing grid of mesh or rebar inserted.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY:
The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount of water that could be suspended in the air at that given temperature.

REMODEL:
To refurbish, redesign, redecorate.

RENOVATE:
Similar to remodel, with an emphasis on upgrading the structural aspects of the existing property.

RESTORE:
To refurbish a building or other asset to its original condition.

RIDGE:
The horizontal edge found at the meeting of two sloping roof surfaces.

RIDGE BOARD:
The wood board placed at the point where the roof rafters from two sloping roof surfaces meet. These rafters are usually cut so that they are plumb (vertical) to the ground and are nailed to the ridge board.

RIDGE CAP:
The top course of roof shingles that overlap one another across a roof ridge. The shingles are installed so that the overlap joint faces away from the direction of the prevailing winds.

RIDGE CUT:
A plumb (vertical) cut at the upper end of a roof rafter that attaches and transfers load to the ridge board.

RIDGE VENT:
A single or continuous roof vent located at the peak of a gable roof.

RISE:
Refers to either the vertical height of a single stair step or the vertical height of an entire flight of stairs.

RISER:
The vertical board placed between the treads of a staircase.

ROLL ROOFING:
Any roofing material usually composed of fiber and saturated asphalt. Usually supplied in 36 inch wide by 36 feet long rolls covering 108 square feet. Each roll generally weighs 45 to 90 pounds.

ROOF CAPPING:
The shingles or application of shingles or other capping material on a roof ridge.

ROOF PITCH:
The angle or slant of a roof surface.

ROOF SHEATHING:
Any boards or sheet-like material that is fastened to roof rafters on which shingles or other roofing materials are to be laid.

ROOF TRUSS:
Any frame or structure with diagonal members that can withstand compression forces. Examples include any girder, roof or floor truss system.

ROOF VENT:
An attic ventilator usually located on the exterior of a roof to allow air to circulate within the attic area. Allows buildup of excessive heat and moisture in the attic cavity to escape.

ROUGH FRAMING:
The construction of the wooden structural framework of a building. This includes the framing of the floors, wall, ceiling and roof joists.

ROUGH OPENING:
Any opening in a building's framework for the insertion of windows, doors, stairways etc.

ROW HOUSE:
A dwelling that is attached to its neighbors by way of common walls.

RUN:
Refers to either the depth of a single stair step or to the horizontal distance covered by the entire flight of stairs.