Construction & Building

ADA refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary housing unit on a single residential lot.

Adaptable in interior design refers to spaces, furniture, and fixtures that can easily be modified to accommodate changing needs or preferences.

An arcade is a succession of arches, supported by columns or piers.

Architectural salvage refers to elements of buildings saved from demolition or renovations for reuse in other projects.

A molding attached to one or both doors of a pair at their meeting edges.

A baluster is a small, vertical post that supports the handrail of a staircase, balcony, or railing.

A balustrade is a row of small columns topped by a rail.

A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element characterized by its semi-cylindrical shape.

A batten is a narrow strip of material, typically wood, used in construction and interior design.

Beadboard is a type of paneling characterized by a row of narrow wood planks lined vertically, with each plank featuring a rounded bead-like ridge along its edge.

Bidirectional flow in interior design refers to the two-way movement within a space, allowing for efficient circulation and interaction.

A custom home builder is a professional responsible for the construction of personalized homes according to specific client requirements.

In the context of interior design, home builder refers to a person or company specializing in constructing residential homes.

The physical barrier that separates the interior of a building from the exterior environment.

A building permit is an official approval issued by local government or regulatory authority for the construction or substantial alteration of a building.

A building trade professional is an expert skilled in the construction, renovation, or repair of buildings.

Built-in refers to any feature or piece of furniture that is permanently integrated into a room's structure.

A bunkie board is a thin platform used to support a mattress.

Carcase refers to the framework or body of a piece of furniture, typically hidden beneath the surface materials.

Casement refers to a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side.

Casing is a type of trim used around doors and windows to cover the gap between the wall and the frame.

A center rail is a horizontal support element found within a piece of furniture or an architectural structure.

A professional designation for individuals specializing in the design, planning, and execution of kitchens and bathrooms.

A chamfer is an angled cut or bevel made along the edge or corner of a material.

A series of columns supporting a roof or entablature.

Construction drawings are detailed plans and drawings produced by architects and designers to guide the construction or renovation of a building.

A butt joint is a simple method of joining two pieces of material by simply butting them together.

FF&E refers to the movable furniture, fixtures, and equipment within a building.

Continuous Coil refers to a engineered construction method used in mattresses and upholstery.

Contract Documents are legally binding agreements and detailed plans used in the execution of interior design projects.

A corner block is a decorative or structural element used at the corner joints of furniture.

Coving is a decorative molding applied at the junction of walls and ceilings.

Dovetail is a type of interlocking joinery technique used in woodworking.

A drop-in spring unit is a pre-assembled spring system used in upholstered furniture for support and comfort.

Egress refers to the way out of a room or building which includes exits or any other means of leaving.

Engineered hardwood is a type of flooring made from multiple layers of wood, including a real hardwood top layer.

A sub-contractor, often shortened to sub-contractor, is a specialist who is hired by the main contractor to perform specific tasks or services on a larger project.

Drawn to scale refers to the replication of an object or space on paper or software, proportionately adjusting its dimensions to fit a specific size reference.

Elevation is a flat representation of a facade or an interior wall, depicting it head-on.

A finger joint is a woodworking joinery technique used to connect pieces of wood end-to-end.

Fiberboard is a type of engineered wood product made by bonding together wood fibers under heat and pressure.

Firmness refers to the physical strength and stability of a structure or material.

Finger plates are protective plates mounted on doors to prevent wear and tear from frequent handling.

A system used in theaters for hanging and moving scenery and equipment.

A cornice is an ornamental molding that runs along the top of a wall or a building.

End matching refers to a technique used in the installation of wood flooring and paneling.

A general contractor is a primary professional responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction project.

A dado joint is a method of connecting pieces of wood where a slot is cut in one piece to fit the end of another.

A development permit is official approval from local authorities allowing new construction, expansion, or alteration of buildings.

A dowel is a cylindrical rod, typically made from wood, plastic, or metal.

A dormer is a structural element of a building that extends vertically beyond the plane of a pitched roof.

Foundation refers to the lowest load-bearing part of a building which is typically situated below ground level.

NRC is a standard measure to indicate how much sound an acoustic material can absorb.

NSF International is a global independent organization that develops standards, and tests and certifies products in the interest of public health and safety.

Mortise & Tenon is a type of joinery that involves fitting a projection (tenon) into a corresponding cavity (mortise) to create a stable, interlocking connection.

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a versatile synthetic plastic polymer used extensively in interior design.

A vertical bar between the panes of glass in a window.

A document that outlines the scope, standards, guidelines, and specifications of a design project.

A detailed checklist used near the completion of a project to verify all work is done to specifications.

A sash is a frame that holds glass panes in a window or door.

The numerical rating of a material's ability to block sound transmission.

Selvage refers to the tightly woven edge that runs along each side of a piece of fabric.

Specifications are detailed descriptions and guidelines for the execution and completion of design elements within a project.

Space planning is a crucial aspect of interior design that involves arranging the physical layout of spaces within a building to optimize their use and functionality.

A square leg is a type of furniture leg that has a square or rectangular shape.

A legal document issued by a city or county to halt construction or renovation activities.

Staining is the application of pigment to a surface to change its color and enhance its grain.

Stripping in interior design refers to the process of removing layers of paint, wallpaper, varnish, or other coatings from surfaces.

Stucco is a type of plaster used as a coating for walls and ceilings.

A general contractor is a professional responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations on a construction site.

Sustainable design is an approach to designing physical objects, the built environment, and services in a way that reduces their impact on the environment and promotes both ecological and human health.

Tongue & Groove is a method of fitting similar objects together, edge to edge.

Springs are components used in furniture construction for providing support and comfort.

A vault is an architectural element consisting of a curved structure designed to provide a space with a ceiling or roof.

Granite is a hard, granular, igneous rock primarily composed of quartz, mica, and feldspar.

Grout is a dense fluid used to fill and seal the joints between tiles.

Universal Design is an approach to design that caters to the widest possible range of abilities, ensuring products and environments are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of age, size, or disability.

Viscoelastic foam is a type of polyurethane foam known for its ability to mold to the body in response to heat and pressure.

Hardwood is a type of wood that comes from dicot trees.

Helical wire is a type of wire twisted into a helix or spiral form, often used in furniture and mattress construction.

Kiln drying is a process of removing moisture from wood by using a kiln.

Knocking down a wall involves the process of removing a wall to open up space or change the layout of an interior.

Lead time is the duration between the initiation and completion of a process.

A miter joint is a type of joint made by beveling each of two parts to be joined, usually at a 45° angle, to form a corner, typically a 90° angle.

MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is a type of engineered wood product.