Glossary of Handyman Terms and Definitions H-Z

Glossary of Terms

Hardware - All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers, etc.
Hot Wire - The wire that carries electrical energy to a receptacle or other device.
HVAC Unit - A common abbreviation for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
Insulating Glass - Window or door in which two panes of glass are used with a sealed air space between.
Irrigation - Lawn sprinkler system.
Jamb - The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening.
Landing - A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs.
Load Bearing Wall - This includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder.
Male - Any part, such as a bolt, designed to fit into another (female) part. All parts with external threads are considered male.
Masonry - Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, or other similar building units or materials.
Molding - A wood strip having an engraved, decorative surface.
Natural Finish - A transparent finish, which does not seriously alter the original color or grain of the natural wood.
Nonbearing Wall - A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.
Particle Board - Plywood substitute made of course sawdust that is mixed with resin and pressed into sheets.
Pilot Light - A small, continuous flame in a hot water heater, boiler, or furnace, which ignites gas or oil burners when needed.
Quarter Round - A small trim molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle.
Radiant Heating - A method of heating, usually consisting of a forced hot water system with pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling.
Register - A grill placed over a heating duct or cold air return.
Retaining Wall - A structure that holds back a slope and prevents erosion.
Septic System - An onsite waste water treatment system.
Shake - A wood roofing material, normally cedar or redwood.
Short Circuit - A situation that occurs when hot and neutral wires come in contact with each other.
Skylight - A more or less horizontal window located on the roof of a building.
Stud - A vertical wood framing member, also referred to as a wall stud, attached to the horizontal sole plate below and the top plate above.
Switch - A device that completes or disconnects an electrical circuit.
Terra Cotta - A ceramic material molded into masonry units.
Thermostat - A device that relegates the temperature of a room or building by switching heating or cooling equipment on or off.
Threshold - The bottom metal or wood plate of an exterior doorframe.
Vent - A pipe or duct that allows the flow of air and gasses to the outside.
Weatherstrip - Narrow sections of thin metal or other material installed to prevent the infiltration of air and moisture around windows and doors.