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Exterior Inspection Glossary of Terms and Conditions
Adam - An architectural style associated with the late 18th-century work of Robert Adam. It features restrained classical ornament, delicate detailing, balanced proportions, and decorative interior and exterior elements.
Aggregate - Sand, gravel, crushed stone, or other granular material mixed with cement and water to make concrete, mortar, or stucco.
Air/vapor barriers - Materials or membranes installed in building assemblies to control air leakage and the movement of water vapour. Their placement and properties depend on climate and wall design.
Aluminum - A lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal commonly used for siding, soffits, fascia, flashing, gutters, and downspouts.
Ancient Classical - An architectural tradition based on ancient Greek and Roman buildings, featuring symmetry, columns, pediments, entablatures, and established decorative orders.
Arts and Crafts - An architectural and design movement emphasizing craftsmanship, natural materials, simple forms, and visible construction details. It influenced the Craftsman style.
Asbestos cement - A cement-based building material reinforced with asbestos fibres. It was used in siding, shingles, panels, and other exterior products. Disturbing or cutting it can release hazardous fibres.
Auto closer - A mechanical device that automatically closes a door after it has been opened. It is commonly used on doors between garages and living spaces.
Auto reverse - A safety feature on a powered garage door opener that reverses the door when it encounters an obstruction or excessive resistance.
Awning - A window with a sash hinged at the top that opens outward, allowing ventilation while providing some protection from rain.
Backer boards - Rigid panels installed behind exterior finishes, such as stucco or siding, to provide a suitable supporting surface.
Backer rod - A flexible foam material inserted into a joint before sealant is applied. It controls sealant depth and helps create an effective seal.
Backwrapping - A stucco or exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) installation technique in which reinforcing mesh and base coat are wrapped around the edges of insulation boards to help protect exposed edges and improve attachment.
Balcony - A platform projecting from an upper storey of a building, generally enclosed by a guardrail and accessed from the interior.
Bay - A window arrangement that projects outward from the exterior wall, typically consisting of a central window and angled side windows.
Beam - A horizontal structural member that supports loads from floors, roofs, decks, or other building components and transfers them to columns or walls.
Bell-cast eave - An eave that flares outward near the bottom of a roof, creating a curved or bell-like profile.
Bevel - An angled edge or surface, commonly used on siding boards to create an overlapping profile that sheds water.
Bird cage - A protective metal enclosure installed over an opening, commonly at a roof drain or vent, to prevent leaves, debris, or animals from entering.
Board-and-batten - A siding style in which wide vertical boards are joined by narrower strips called battens, which cover the joints.
Bow - A curved or bowed window arrangement that projects outward from a wall, usually consisting of several window units arranged in a gentle arc.
Bowing walls - Exterior walls that curve or bulge out of their intended plane, potentially due to structural movement, inadequate support, moisture damage, or excessive loading.
Building paper - A water-resistant sheet material installed behind exterior siding or cladding to help protect the wall sheathing from moisture.
Butterfly roof - A roof with two slopes that descend inward toward a central valley, creating a shape resembling a butterfly's wings.
Cape Cod - A traditional New England house style, usually one-and-a-half storeys, with a steeply pitched roof, simple rectangular shape, central entrance, and dormers in many examples.
Capital - The uppermost part of a column or pilaster, often decorated and designed to transition between the vertical support and the structure above it.
Cantilever - A structural member or platform that projects beyond its supporting wall, beam, or column without support at its outer end.
Cantilevered - Projecting beyond its supporting structure without direct support beneath the projecting portion.
Casement - A window with one or more sashes hinged at the side, opening outward or inward like a door.
Catch basin - A drainage structure, usually with a grated opening and a collection chamber, that receives surface water and traps some sediment and debris before water enters the drainage system.
Cement - A powdered binding material that reacts with water to harden. Portland cement is commonly used in concrete, mortar, and stucco.
Chain drive - A garage door opener mechanism that uses a chain to move the door along its track.
Channel and drop - A wood siding profile with a recessed channel or groove between boards, producing a shadow line and an overlapping appearance.
Cladding - The exterior material or finish applied to a building's walls to provide weather protection and appearance. Examples include siding, brick veneer, stucco, and metal panels.
Column - A vertical structural member that supports loads from beams, porches, decks, roofs, or other building components.
Combination sewer - A sewer system designed to carry both sanitary sewage and stormwater in the same pipe.
Combustible insulation - Insulation material capable of burning when exposed to sufficient heat or flame. Its use and required protection depend on its location and applicable building requirements.
Conductor pipe - A vertical pipe that carries rainwater from a roof drainage system, typically from a gutter or scupper toward the ground or a drainage connection.
Concrete - A building material made by mixing cement, water, and aggregate. It hardens into a durable material used for foundations, footings, slabs, steps, and other structural components.
Counter-balance - A system of springs, cables, or weights that offsets the weight of an overhead garage door, making it easier and safer to open and close.
Cover - The thickness of concrete or other protective material between reinforcing steel and the exposed surface. Adequate cover helps protect reinforcement from corrosion and fire.
Cresting - Decorative metalwork installed along a roof ridge, often found on Victorian and Gothic Revival buildings.
Crown up - The installation of a curved or crowned joist or beam with its slight upward bow facing up. This allows the member to flatten somewhat under load.
Curved top - A window or door opening with a curved upper profile, such as an arched or segmental top.
Cupola - A small roof structure, often with windows or vents, positioned above a larger roof. Cupolas may provide ventilation, daylight, or decoration.
Deadman - A buried anchor, usually made of timber, concrete, or steel, connected to a retaining wall by a tie-back to resist outward movement.
Deck - An outdoor platform, usually constructed of wood or composite materials, attached to or built near a house and supported above the ground by beams, joists, posts, and footings.
Detached - A building or structure that is separate from the main dwelling, such as a detached garage or accessory building.
Dentil - A small rectangular block used as a repeating decorative element beneath a cornice or other architectural projection.
Dormers: Hip, gable, shed, flat, eyebrow, segmental, arched, inset - Roof structures projecting from a sloping roof, commonly containing a window. Types include:
Arched - Has a curved roof or arched upper profile.
Eyebrow - A low, curved dormer that blends into the roof without conventional vertical side walls.
Flat - Has a nearly flat roof.
Gable - Has a small gable roof with two sloping sides.
Hip - Has a roof with slopes on three sides.
Inset - Set back into the main roof slope rather than projecting outward.
Segmental - Has a roof formed by a shallow curved segment.
Shed - Has a single sloping roof plane.
Double-hung - A window with two vertically sliding sashes, both of which can move up and down.
Downspout - A vertical pipe that carries rainwater from a gutter or eavestrough down toward the ground or a drainage system.
Drain - A pipe, channel, or opening designed to collect and carry away water.
Drain pipe elbow - A curved fitting used to change the direction of a drainage pipe.
Drain trap - A curved section of drain piping that retains water to prevent sewer gases from entering a building. In exterior drainage applications, the term may also refer to a fitting intended to collect debris or control drainage.
Drainage tile - Perforated or slotted pipe installed underground to collect and redirect groundwater, commonly around foundations.
Drain screen - A mesh or screened material used to prevent debris from entering a drainage opening or drainage system.
Driveway - A private access route between a public road and a garage, parking area, or other part of a property.
Dutch Colonial - An architectural style commonly identified by its gambrel roof, which has two slopes on each side. Traditional examples often have a symmetrical façade and dormers.
Eavestrough - A horizontal gutter installed along the edge of a roof to collect rainwater and direct it toward downspouts.
Eccentric load - A load applied away from the centreline of a structural member or support, creating additional bending or rotational forces.
Efflorescence - A white, powdery deposit of mineral salts that appears on masonry or concrete when moisture carries dissolved salts to the surface and evaporates.
EIFS - Exterior Insulation and Finish System. A wall-cladding system consisting of insulation boards, a reinforced base coat, and a textured finish coat. It requires appropriate detailing to manage water behind the finish.
End bearing - The portion of a beam, joist, or other structural member that rests on a supporting wall, beam, column, or other structure.
End grain - The exposed ends of wood fibres where a board or timber has been cut across the grain. End grain absorbs moisture more readily than the sides of the wood and is especially vulnerable when left unprotected.
Entablature - The horizontal architectural assembly above columns in classical architecture, traditionally consisting of an architrave, frieze, and cornice.
Erosion - The wearing away or movement of soil by water, wind, or other forces. Poor drainage and concentrated runoff can cause erosion around foundations and landscaping.
Expansion and contraction - The natural movement of materials as they change temperature or moisture content. Exterior materials and joints must accommodate this movement to reduce cracking, buckling, and separation.
Fascia - The vertical finishing board or panel along the edge of a roof, commonly attached to the ends of rafters or trusses and supporting the gutter.
Fastener - A device such as a nail, screw, bolt, or clip used to connect building materials or structural components.
Fanlight - A semicircular or semicircular-like window, often divided by radiating bars, installed above a door or another window.
Fiber-cement - A durable siding or panel material made from cement, reinforcing fibres, and other ingredients. It is commonly used as exterior cladding.
Fire- or gas-proofing - Materials or construction details intended to limit the passage of fire, smoke, or gases between spaces. In residential inspections, this commonly refers to the separation between an attached garage and the dwelling.
Four-square - A house style characterized by a simple, box-shaped plan, usually two storeys, with four principal rooms on each floor and a hipped roof. Often associated with the American Foursquare style.
Frame deformation - Distortion of a window, door, or structural frame, potentially caused by settlement, excessive loads, moisture, or improper installation.
Framing shrinkage - The reduction in dimensions of wood framing as it dries after construction. Shrinkage can contribute to cracks, gaps, uneven floors, and movement at connections.
French Colonial - An architectural tradition associated with French colonial settlements, often featuring steep roofs, symmetrical façades, galleries or verandas, and regional adaptations to climate.
Frost protection - Construction measures used to prevent frost from damaging foundations, footings, pipes, or other components. These may include adequate footing depth, insulation, drainage, and suitable soil conditions.
Gambrel - A roof with two slopes on each side, the lower slope being steeper than the upper one. Commonly associated with barns and Dutch Colonial houses.
Garage - A building or enclosed space intended for parking vehicles, storage, or related uses. Attached garages require suitable separation from the living area to limit the movement of exhaust gases, smoke, and fire.
Gothic - An architectural style characterized by pointed arches, steep roofs, vertical proportions, decorative tracery, and, in some examples, elaborate ornamental detailing.
Granite - A hard, coarse-grained natural stone commonly used for paving, steps, retaining walls, and decorative landscaping.
Gravity wall - A retaining wall that relies primarily on its own weight and mass to resist the pressure of the soil behind it.
Greek Revival - An architectural style inspired by ancient Greek temples, often featuring symmetrical façades, prominent columns, pediments, and classical detailing.
Guardrail - A protective barrier installed along the edge of a deck, balcony, porch, stairway, or other elevated surface to reduce the risk of falls.
Gutter - A channel installed along a roof edge to collect rainwater and direct it toward downspouts or other drainage outlets.
Handrail - A graspable rail installed along a stairway, ramp, or other route to provide support and help prevent falls.
Hand-split and resawn - A wood-shingle or shake manufacturing method in which the wood is first split by hand and then resawn to produce a more uniform surface or thickness.
Hardboard - An engineered wood product made from compressed wood fibres. It has been used for siding and trim, but older products can be vulnerable to moisture damage.
Horizontal projections - Architectural or building elements that extend outward from a wall, such as sills, ledges, cornices, and belt courses. These features can collect water and require suitable flashing and drainage details.
Housewrap - A synthetic sheet material installed over wall sheathing and behind siding to help resist water penetration while generally allowing water vapour to escape.
Hydrostatic pressure - Pressure exerted by water in saturated soil against foundation walls or beneath slabs. It can contribute to water penetration, wall movement, and slab uplift.
Ice damming - The accumulation of ice along a roof edge that prevents melting snow from draining properly. Water can back up beneath roofing materials and enter the building.
Impervious - Resistant to the passage of water. Impervious surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt, prevent water from soaking into the ground and can increase surface runoff.
Invasive testing - Inspection or testing that involves opening, cutting, removing, or otherwise disturbing building materials to examine concealed conditions.
Inner-Seal - A trade name associated with engineered wood siding products. These products use wood strands or fibres bonded with resin and require appropriate installation and maintenance to limit moisture damage.
Insulation - Material installed in walls, roofs, floors, or foundations to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.
Insulbrick - A type of asphalt-based exterior siding made to resemble brick. It was commonly installed over older wood siding and is often found on older houses.
Integral - Formed as part of a larger component rather than installed as a separate piece. For example, an integral gutter is built into the roof structure.
Interior finishes - The visible surface materials inside a building, such as drywall, plaster, flooring, and trim. They may be affected by exterior moisture problems or structural movement.
Italianate - A 19th-century architectural style inspired by Italian villas, often featuring low-pitched roofs, wide overhanging eaves, decorative brackets, tall narrow windows, and elaborate cornices.
J molding - A trim profile commonly used with vinyl or metal siding to receive and conceal the cut edges of siding panels around windows, doors, and other openings.
Jalousie - A window made of multiple horizontal glass or other material slats that pivot open and closed together, allowing adjustable ventilation.
Joist - A horizontal structural member that supports a floor, ceiling, or deck and transfers loads to beams, walls, or other supports.
Joist hanger - A metal connector used to support the end of a joist where it attaches to a beam, ledger, or other structural member.
Landing - A level platform at the top or bottom of a stairway, or between flights of stairs.
Landscaping - The arrangement and maintenance of plants, soil, grading, pathways, and other outdoor features around a property. Landscaping should not direct water toward the building or conceal important foundation components.
Lath - A supporting material attached to a wall or other surface to provide a base for plaster or stucco. It may be made of metal mesh, wood strips, or other materials.
Leader - Another term for a downspout or vertical conductor that carries rainwater from a gutter toward the ground or drainage system.
Ledgerboard - A horizontal structural board attached to a building to support the ends of deck joists or other framing members. Proper flashing and secure attachment are essential.
Linear plan - A building layout in which rooms or major spaces are arranged primarily along a straight axis or in a long, narrow configuration.
Lime-cement stucco - A traditional stucco mixture made with Portland cement, lime, sand, and water. Lime improves workability and can contribute to flexibility and water retention during curing.
Load-bearing walls - Walls that support structural loads from floors, roofs, or other building components and transfer those loads to the foundation.
Lot grading - The shaping and sloping of land around a building to direct surface water away from the foundation and toward suitable drainage locations.
Machine Age - An architectural and design period emphasizing industrial materials, mass production, functional forms, and modern technology. It influenced later modernist architecture.
Mansard - A roof with two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being much steeper than the upper slope. The steep lower portion often contains dormer windows and creates additional usable attic space.
Massed - An architectural description referring to the arrangement and grouping of a building's major volumes or sections. A massed design may combine several distinct blocks or shapes.
Medieval - An architectural period and tradition associated with the Middle Ages, including Romanesque, Gothic, and other regional forms. Medieval-inspired buildings may feature heavy masonry, towers, steep roofs, and narrow openings.
Mission - An architectural style inspired by Spanish colonial missions, commonly featuring stucco walls, simple geometric forms, arched openings, and parapets with curved profiles.
Modern - An architectural approach emphasizing functional design, simplified forms, open plans, and the use of modern materials such as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete.
Mortar deterioration - The breakdown or loss of mortar between masonry units due to weathering, moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, poor original installation, or other causes.
Mud jacking - A method of raising or stabilizing a settled concrete slab by pumping grout or another material beneath it. Also commonly written as mudjacking.
Muntin - A narrow bar that separates and supports individual panes of glass within a window sash. In some modern windows, muntins are decorative rather than structural.
Nogging - Short pieces of masonry or timber placed between structural framing members. In traditional timber framing, nogging may refer to masonry infill between timber members.
Non-invasive testing - Inspection or testing that does not require cutting, removing, or damaging building materials. Examples include visual inspection, moisture-meter readings, and thermal imaging.
OSB - Oriented Strand Board. An engineered wood panel made from layers of wood strands bonded with resin, commonly used for wall sheathing, roof sheathing, and subflooring.
Oriel - A projecting window that extends outward from an upper storey but does not reach the ground. It is commonly supported by brackets or corbels.
Out of plumb - A wall, column, post, or other vertical component that is not perfectly vertical.
Overhead - A garage door arrangement in which the door moves upward and is stored horizontally or near-horizontally above the opening.
Overspanned - A beam, joist, or other structural member that spans a greater distance than is appropriate for its size, material, loading, or support conditions.
Palladian - An architectural style inspired by the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. It commonly features symmetry, classical columns, and distinctive window arrangements, including the Palladian window.
Parapet wall - A low wall extending above the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace. It may serve as a protective barrier or conceal roof equipment and drainage details.
Patio - A paved or hard-surfaced outdoor area at ground level, typically used for recreation or entertaining.
Paver - An individual paving unit made from concrete, brick, natural stone, or another material, used to construct walkways, patios, and driveways.
Pediment - A triangular or curved architectural feature above a portico, doorway, window, or other structure, derived from classical temple design.
Perimeter drainage - A drainage system installed around the outside of a foundation to collect groundwater and direct it away from the building.
Photo-eye - A safety sensor used on powered garage doors. It detects an obstruction in the path of the closing door and signals the opener to stop or reverse.
Pilaster - A shallow rectangular projection from a wall that resembles a column and may serve a decorative or structural purpose.
Pile wall - A retaining wall constructed using piles driven or drilled into the ground, often used to retain soil where space is limited or excavation conditions are difficult.
Pinnacle - A small pointed architectural feature, often placed at the top of a tower, buttress, or roof feature.
Plywood - An engineered wood panel made by bonding thin layers of wood veneer together, with the grain direction of adjacent layers generally at right angles. It is commonly used for sheathing and structural applications.
Pneumatic nailer - A power tool that uses compressed air to drive nails into wood or other building materials.
Ponding - The accumulation of standing water on a roof, deck, or other surface where drainage is inadequate.
Porch - A covered or uncovered structure attached to the exterior of a building, usually located at an entrance and supported by posts or columns.
Portland cement stucco - A cement-based exterior finish made from Portland cement, sand, water, and often lime or other additives. It is applied in layers over a suitable supporting system.
Prairie-style - An architectural style associated with Frank Lloyd Wright and other early 20th-century designers. It emphasizes horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, broad eaves, and integration with the landscape.
Pressure grouting - The injection of grout under pressure into voids, cracks, or spaces beneath or within building components to fill gaps, stabilize soil, or improve support.
PVC - Polyvinyl chloride, a plastic material commonly used for siding, trim, soffits, gutters, downspouts, windows, and drainage pipes.
Putty - A soft, mouldable compound traditionally used to secure glass in window frames and seal the joint between glass and wood. Modern glazing products may use other materials.
Queen Anne - A Victorian architectural style characterized by irregular rooflines, towers, turrets, decorative shingles, varied exterior materials, and elaborate ornamentation.
Quoining - The use of distinctive masonry blocks or simulated blocks at the corners of a building, often arranged in alternating patterns to emphasize the corners.
Racking - Distortion of a rectangular frame into a parallelogram shape due to lateral forces, movement, or inadequate bracing.
Rain screen - An exterior wall assembly that includes a drainage and ventilation space behind the cladding, allowing water that passes the outer surface to drain away and helping the assembly dry.
Ravine lot - A property located beside or on a ravine or steep-sided valley. Such lots may be subject to erosion, slope instability, groundwater movement, and restrictions on construction or landscaping.
Recreational facilities - Outdoor amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, and sports areas. Their condition, drainage, safety, and relationship to the house may be relevant to potential buyers during an exterior inspection.
Regrading - Changing the slope or elevation of the ground around a building to improve drainage or correct water-flow problems.
Renaissance Classical - An architectural tradition inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, revived during the Renaissance. It emphasizes proportion, symmetry, columns, arches, and classical detailing.
Retaining wall - A structure designed to hold back soil or other materials where there is a difference in ground elevation.
Rise - The vertical height of a stair step, measured from the top of one tread to the top of the next.
Roof structure - The structural framework that supports the roof covering and transfers roof loads to the building's walls, beams, and other supports. It may include rafters, trusses, ridge boards, and purlins.
Rot - The decay of wood caused by fungi, usually associated with prolonged moisture exposure. Rot can weaken siding, trim, structural framing, decks, and other exterior wood components.
Row house - A dwelling that shares one or more side walls with adjoining houses in a continuous row. Each unit generally has its own entrance and may have its own front and rear exterior walls.
Run - The horizontal distance covered by a stair step, generally measured from the front edge of one tread to the front edge of the next.
Sag - A downward deflection or drooping of a structural member, roofline, deck, or other component. It may be caused by excessive loading, inadequate support, deterioration, or structural movement.
Saltbox - A traditional house style with a long, asymmetrical roof that has a short front slope and a much longer rear slope, often extending down close to the ground.
Sashless - A window design without a conventional framed sash. The glazing may be fixed directly into the frame or use another support arrangement.
Scupper - An opening through a parapet or wall that allows water to drain from a roof, balcony, or other flat surface.
Sectional - A garage door made of multiple hinged horizontal panels that move along tracks as the door opens and closes.
Settlement - Downward movement of soil, a foundation, or a structural component. Uneven settlement can cause cracking, distortion, and other damage.
Shakes - Wood roofing or siding pieces, generally thicker and rougher than conventional shingles. They may be split or sawn and are commonly made from cedar or other durable wood species.
Sheathing - Panels or boards attached to the exterior of wall or roof framing to provide a supporting surface and, in some cases, structural bracing. Common materials include plywood and OSB.
Shiplap - A siding or panel profile in which adjoining boards have overlapping or rabbeted edges that fit together to create a relatively tight joint.
Shoring - Temporary or permanent structural support used to stabilize a wall, excavation, building, or other structure.
Siding - Exterior wall covering installed to protect the building from weather and provide a finished appearance. Common types include wood, vinyl, metal, fibre-cement, and masonry siding.
Siding nails - Nails specifically selected for attaching siding. Their material, length, head size, and corrosion resistance should be appropriate for the siding product and installation requirements.
Sill slope - The downward slope of a window or door sill toward the exterior, intended to shed water away from the building.
Single-hung - A window with two vertically arranged sashes in which the lower sash moves and the upper sash remains fixed.
Skirting - A covering installed around the base of a porch, deck, raised building, or mobile home to conceal the area beneath it. It may be decorative or serve as a barrier against animals and debris.
Soils analysis - An assessment of soil composition, bearing capacity, drainage, moisture conditions, and other properties that may affect foundation design or site stability.
Soffit - The underside of a roof overhang, porch ceiling, balcony, or other horizontal projection. Roof soffits may contain ventilation openings.
Spanish Colonial - An architectural tradition influenced by Spanish colonial buildings, commonly featuring stucco walls, clay tile roofs, arched openings, courtyards, and heavy timber details.
Spalling - The chipping, flaking, or breaking away of concrete, brick, stone, or other masonry surfaces, often caused by moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, or deterioration.
Splash block - A small sloped concrete or plastic channel placed beneath a downspout to direct discharged rainwater away from the foundation.
Spindle - A slender vertical member used in a railing or balustrade, commonly supporting the handrail and helping prevent falls.
Stick - A late 19th-century architectural style characterized by decorative wood framing or trim applied to exterior walls, often emphasizing vertical and horizontal lines.
Straight-split - A wood shake or shingle manufacturing method in which the wood is split along the grain to produce relatively straight, natural surfaces.
Strainer - A screened or perforated fitting installed at a drain, gutter outlet, or other opening to prevent leaves and debris from entering the drainage system.
Structural members - Components that form the load-bearing framework of a building, including beams, columns, joists, rafters, trusses, and load-bearing walls.
Sub-base - A layer of compacted granular material placed beneath paving, concrete, or other exterior surfaces to provide support, improve drainage, and reduce movement.
Synthetic stucco - A manufactured exterior finish, often associated with EIFS, that uses polymer-modified materials to create a stucco-like appearance. Its performance depends on proper installation and moisture management.
Swale - A shallow, gently sloped channel in the ground designed to collect and direct surface water away from buildings and toward an appropriate drainage outlet.
Taper-split - A wood shake manufacturing method in which the wood is split to produce pieces that become thinner toward one edge.
Tapersawn - A wood shake manufacturing method combining splitting and sawing to produce a tapered piece with a relatively smooth face and a textured back.
Tempered hardwood - Hardwood that has undergone a treatment process to modify its properties, commonly involving heat or other processing. The exact meaning depends on the product and manufacturer; it should not be confused with ordinary pressure-treated lumber.
Terrace - A relatively level outdoor area, often paved or landscaped, that may be located at ground level or on an elevated portion of a property.
Terne - A metal roofing material traditionally made from steel coated with a lead-tin alloy. Modern terne products may use different coating compositions and are generally installed as standing-seam or flat-seam roofing.
Threshold - The horizontal member at the bottom of a doorway, forming the transition between interior and exterior surfaces. It should help prevent water and air infiltration.
Tied-back - A retaining-wall arrangement in which anchors or tie-backs extend into stable soil or rock behind the wall to resist outward movement.
Tongue-and-groove - A board profile in which one edge has a projecting tongue and the opposite edge has a matching groove, allowing adjoining boards to interlock.
Tread - The horizontal surface of a stair step on which a person places their foot.
Trip hazard - A condition that creates an increased risk of someone catching their foot and falling, such as uneven paving, raised edges, loose boards, or abrupt changes in elevation.
Trough - A channel or receptacle designed to collect and carry water. In roof drainage, the term may refer to a gutter or a built-in roof drainage channel.
Transom - A horizontal structural member or window located above a door or another window. A transom window may be fixed or operable.
Tudor - An architectural style inspired by English buildings of the Tudor period, often featuring steeply pitched roofs, prominent gables, decorative half-timbering, tall chimneys, and masonry or stucco infill.
Turret - A small tower projecting from a building, often located at a corner and sometimes extending upward from the ground or an upper storey.
Veneer walls - Walls with a non-load-bearing outer layer of masonry or another finish attached to or supported by a structural backing wall. Brick veneer is a common example.
Vented rain screen principle - A wall-design approach that provides a drainage and ventilation cavity behind exterior cladding. The cavity allows water to drain and helps the wall assembly dry.
Vergeboard - Decorative trim attached to the sloping edges of a gable roof, sometimes elaborately carved or patterned. Also called bargeboard.
Vehicle door - A garage door or other large exterior door designed to provide vehicle access. It may be sectional, overhead, or another type of operating system.
Victorian - A broad architectural period and collection of styles associated with the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901). Victorian houses often feature elaborate ornamentation, varied rooflines, decorative trim, and complex plans.
Vines - Climbing or trailing plants growing on or near exterior walls. They can conceal defects, retain moisture, interfere with siding and mortar, and contribute to deterioration.
Waferboard - An engineered wood panel made from relatively large wood flakes bonded with resin. It is an older form of structural panel similar in general purpose to OSB.
Walkway - A path intended for pedestrian use, commonly constructed from concrete, paving stones, asphalt, gravel, or other materials.
Wall assemblies - The complete construction of an exterior wall, including its structural framing, sheathing, insulation, air and vapour control layers, drainage provisions, and exterior cladding.
Weep holes - Openings provided at intervals in masonry or other wall assemblies to allow accumulated moisture to escape. They are commonly found near the bottom of brick veneer walls.
Widow's walk - A railed platform or walkway built around or near the top of a roof, traditionally associated with coastal houses. It may be decorative or provide access to roof areas.
Window well - A recessed area outside a basement window, usually lined with metal, concrete, or plastic, that provides clearance and light while helping prevent soil from covering the window. It should have suitable drainage.
Wood/soil contact - A condition in which wood components touch soil or remain close enough to the ground to be exposed to persistent moisture. This increases the risk of rot, insect damage, and deterioration.
Yankee gutter - A built-in roof gutter, traditionally formed as a trough along the roof edge behind a raised fascia or cornice. It can be concealed from view and may be vulnerable to leakage if its lining or drainage details deteriorate.
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