
Construction Glossary
50 terms found
A
ADA Compliance
Denver Building CodesADA compliance refers to meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards ensuring buildings are usable by people with physical disabilities.
Allowance
Cost & FinanceAn allowance is a predetermined budget amount included in construction contracts for items not yet selected, such as fixtures, tile, or appliances, with final costs adjusted when items are chosen.
B
Backfill
ProcessesBackfill is the process of replacing and compacting soil or other material around foundations, retaining walls, and utility trenches after construction is complete.
Blower Door Test
ProcessesA blower door test uses a calibrated fan and pressure gauges to measure air infiltration rates and locate air leakage points in building envelopes.
Building Permit
Denver Building CodesA building permit is official authorization from the local building department allowing specific construction work to proceed in compliance with building codes and zoning regulations.
C
Change Order
ProcessesA change order is a formal written document modifying the original construction contract, detailing changes to scope, materials, price, or timeline.
Composite Decking
MaterialsComposite decking is manufactured from a blend of wood fibers and plastic polymers, creating a low-maintenance, rot-resistant alternative to traditional wood decking.
Contingency Budget
Cost & FinanceContingency budget is money reserved beyond the estimated project cost to cover unexpected expenses, unforeseen conditions, and changes during construction.
Cost Per Square Foot
Cost & FinanceCost per square foot is a pricing metric calculated by dividing total project cost by the square footage of construction, used for budgeting and comparing project costs.
D
Demo Day (Demolition)
ProcessesDemo Day refers to the demolition phase of remodeling where old materials, structures, and finishes are removed to clear the way for new construction.
Draw Schedule
Cost & FinanceA draw schedule is a payment plan dividing total project cost into installments paid as specific construction milestones are completed and verified.
Drywall
MaterialsDrywall, also called gypsum board or sheetrock, consists of gypsum plaster pressed between two sheets of paper, used as the standard material for interior wall and ceiling surfaces.
Drywall Finishing
ProcessesDrywall finishing involves applying joint compound and tape to drywall seams, sanding smooth, and creating a uniform surface ready for paint or texture.
E
Egress Window
Denver Building CodesAn egress window is a minimum-sized opening in sleeping rooms providing emergency escape and rescue access, required by building codes for occupant safety.
Energy Code Compliance
Denver Building CodesEnergy code compliance involves meeting minimum standards for insulation, air sealing, window performance, and HVAC efficiency as mandated by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
F
Fascia
MaterialsFascia is the vertical finishing board mounted at the point where the roof meets the outer walls of the house, typically supporting the gutter system and creating a finished appearance.
Final Walkthrough
ProcessesThe final walkthrough is the owner's inspection of completed construction work to verify everything is finished per contract specifications before releasing final payment.
Fire Separation
Denver Building CodesFire separation consists of fire-rated wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies designed to contain fire spread between dwelling units, garages, or other separated spaces.
Flashing
MaterialsFlashing is thin, waterproof material (typically metal or membrane) installed at vulnerable points in a building envelope to direct water away from joints, seams, and penetrations.
Framing
ProcessesFraming is the process of constructing the structural skeleton of a building using dimensional lumber or engineered wood to create walls, floors, and roof systems.
H
Hardie Board (Fiber Cement Siding)
MaterialsHardie Board is James Hardie's brand of fiber cement siding, manufactured from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers to create durable, fire-resistant, low-maintenance exterior cladding.
Home Equity
Cost & FinanceHome equity is the difference between your property's current market value and the outstanding mortgage balance, representing your ownership stake in the property.
L
Lien Waiver
Cost & FinanceA lien waiver is a legal document where contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers waive their right to file a mechanics lien on your property in exchange for payment.
Load Calculation
ProcessesLoad calculation is the engineering process of determining the forces acting on structural elements and designing adequate support to safely carry those loads.
Load-Bearing Wall
MaterialsA load-bearing wall is a structural wall that carries the weight of the structure above it, transferring loads from the roof, floors, and other building elements down to the foundation.
LVL Beam (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
MaterialsLVL beam is an engineered lumber product manufactured by bonding thin wood veneers with adhesive under heat and pressure, creating exceptionally strong beams for long spans and heavy loads.
O
Occupancy Permit
Denver Building CodesAn occupancy permit (certificate of occupancy) is official documentation from the building department certifying that construction is complete, inspections passed, and the building is safe for occupancy.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
MaterialsOSB is an engineered wood panel manufactured from cross-oriented layers of wood strands bonded with resin under heat and pressure, commonly used for roof decking, wall sheathing, and subflooring.
P
PEX Piping (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)
MaterialsPEX is cross-linked polyethylene tubing used for water supply lines, offering flexibility, freeze resistance, and easier installation than rigid copper or CPVC piping.
Progress Payment
Cost & FinanceProgress payments are partial payments made throughout a project as work is completed and verified, following a predetermined draw schedule or completion milestones.
Punch List
ProcessesA punch list is a document compiled near project completion listing minor deficiencies, incomplete work, or touch-ups that need to be addressed before final payment and project acceptance.
R
R-Value
MaterialsR-Value measures the thermal resistance of insulation materials, with higher values indicating better insulating properties and greater energy efficiency.
Rebar (Reinforcing Bar)
MaterialsRebar is ribbed steel bar embedded in concrete to provide tensile reinforcement, preventing cracking and failure under tension, bending, and shear forces.
Retainage
Cost & FinanceRetainage is a percentage (typically 5-10%) of each progress payment withheld until project completion and final acceptance, ensuring contractors complete all work including punch list items.
Rigid Foam Insulation
MaterialsRigid foam insulation consists of stiff panels of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, or polyurethane foam that provide superior insulating value and moisture resistance for walls, roofs, and foundations.
ROI (Return on Investment)
Cost & FinanceROI (Return on Investment) for home improvements measures the percentage of renovation costs recovered through increased home value, calculated as: (value increase ÷ project cost) × 100.
Rough Inspection
ProcessesRough inspection is a mandatory building department inspection verifying that framing, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems meet code requirements before they are concealed by insulation and drywall.
Rough-In
ProcessesRough-in is the phase of construction where plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and HVAC ducts are installed within wall, floor, and ceiling cavities before insulation and drywall cover them.
S
Scope of Work
Cost & FinanceScope of work is a detailed document specifying exactly what work will be performed, materials used, quality standards, and deliverables included in a construction project.
Setback Requirements
Denver Building CodesSetback requirements are zoning regulations specifying minimum distances that buildings and structures must be positioned from property lines, streets, and other structures.
Snow Load Rating
Denver Building CodesSnow load rating is the structural capacity of roof systems to support the weight of accumulated snow and ice, specified in pounds per square foot based on local climate data.
Soffit
MaterialsSoffit is the exposed surface beneath the overhanging section of a roof eave, typically finished with vented or solid panels to protect the rafters and provide attic ventilation.
V
Value Engineering
ProcessesValue engineering is the systematic analysis of project components to identify cost savings opportunities while maintaining or improving quality, function, and performance.
Vapor Barrier
MaterialsA vapor barrier is a moisture-impermeable material installed in building assemblies to prevent water vapor from penetrating walls, floors, or ceilings and condensing within insulation or structural components.
