CONSTRUCTION DICTIONARY

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TERMITES:
Termites are insects that resemble ants in size and shape, who live in large colonies. They tend to enter a building from the ground where wood meets earth. Once inside a wooden structure they tend to eat their way through wood materials from the inside out and if left untreated for long periods of time can cause substantial structural damage.

TERMITE SHIELD:
Any shield, usually made of metal, that has been placed around any point of entrance to a building in order to stop the entry of termites or other pests.

THREE-WAY SWITCH:
One of a pair of specialized electrical switches that allows an electrical fixture to be turned on and off from two locations. As opposed to the usual single pole electrical switches that are normally used that only allow a single switch in the circuit.

THRESHOLD:
Any strip of wood or other material with a beveled edge applied to the transition area between a floor and the sill plate of a door.

TIMBER LUMBER:
Any lumber that is 5 inches or more in dimension. This includes beams, posts and girders.

TOENAILING:
The nailing of boards by driving the nail in at an angle or slant to the finished surface in order to attach it to the adjacent board at right angles.

TONGUE AND GROOVE:
Often referred to as "DRESSED AND MATCHED". 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.

TOTAL RISE: (of a staircase)
The total vertical distance covered by a staircase, measured from the starting floor to the destination floor.

TOTAL RUN: (of a staircase)
The total horizontal distance covered by a staircase, measured from the edge of the first step to edge of the last step.

TOWN HOUSE:
A type of dwelling which shares at least one common wall with neighboring dwellings.

TRACK HOUSING:
A descriptive term referring to one of a large group of similar homes built in the same area, usually by the same builder.

TREAD:
The horizontal step surface of a staircase. See "RISER".

TRENCH FOOTING:
A footing formed without actual forms by pouring the concrete directly into the trench that has been dug in the ground.

TRENCH FOUNDATION:
A foundation wall that has been formed without actual forms by pouring the concrete directly into the trench that has been dug in the ground.

TRIM:
Finishing materials applied over a surface, such as window, door, or baseboard trim.

TRIMMER:
The short stud located at the ends of a door or window support header.

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

TUDOR:
A heavy looking, fortress-like style of home in the English style. Stone and brick construction, may also feature stucco and exposed timbers. Windows feature stone trim.

TWIST:
In reference to a wood board that has a propeller shaped warp.