A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Sash– A single light frame containing one or more lights of glass. The frame that holds the glass in a window, often the movable part of the window.
Scissor Truss (Timber Roof Structures) – double pitched truss with sloping bottom chords.
Scratch coat– The first coat of plaster, which is scratched to form a bond for a second coat.
Screed, concrete– To level off concrete to the correct elevation during a concrete pour.
Sealer– A finishing material, either clear or pigmented, that is usually applied directly over raw wood for the purpose of sealing the wood surface.
Segregation (Concrete) – The segregation of ingredients of fresh concrete.
Self (Timber Roof Structures) – weight load -(dead load.)-a load that consists of the weight of all the members of the structure itself, plus the weight of all permanent finishes such as roof coverings and ceilings.
Semigloss paint or enamel– A paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi-gloss
Septic system– An on site waste water treatment system. It usually has a septic tank which promotes the biological digestion of the waste, and a drain field which is designed to let the left over liquid soak into the ground. Septic systems and permits are usually sized by the number of bedrooms in a house.
Septic tank (Drainage) – A chamber designed to receive sewage and to retain it for such a time and in such a manner as to secure adequate decomposition.
Setting block (Cement plaster) – The stiffening of a mix caused by the hydration of cement.
Setting block (Glazing) – A spacer, which supports glass and ensures that there is sufficient bottom clearance between the glass and the supporting frame.
Settlement– Shifts in a structure, usually caused by ground settling.
Sewer– A system designed for the collection of waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry drains, and is usually not designed to handle storm water.
Sheet metal work– All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts.
Sheet metal duct work– The heating system. Usually round or rectangular metal pipes and sheet metal (for Return Air) and installed for distributing warm (or cold) air.
Shell bedding (Masonry) – the covering of the plan area of the face shells, but not the webs, of hollow masonry units during laying.
Shim– A small piece of material used to fill or increase gaps.
Shingles– Roof covering of asphalt. asbestos, wood, tile, slate, or other material cut to stock lengths, widths, and thickness’.
Shutter– Usually lightweight louvered decorative frames in the form of doors located on the sides of a window. Some shutters are made to close over the window for protection.
Side stitching (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Fasteners placed at set intervals through a side lap to give positive mechanical connection and improved sealing between adjacent sheets. (In case of ribbed trough (standard seam) sheeting side laps may be button punched to achieve the same results).
Single hung window– A window with one vertically sliding sash or window vent.
Single-leaf wall (Masonry) – A wall of masonry units laid to overlap in one or more directions and set solidly in mortar.
Skirting (Fixing Roof Tiles) – The portion of roofing turned up against a vertical surface.
Skylight– A more or less horizontal window located on the roof of a building.
Slab, concrete– Concrete pavement, i.e. driveways, garages, and basement floors.
Slab-on-the-ground foundations (Foundations) – A concrete floor supported on the ground incorporating lightly reinforced integral edge and internal beams.
Sleeper wall (Timber Floors) – A masonry wall constructed to support a suspended ground floor.
Slip (Masonry) – A thin section of facing cut from a full masonry unit, which is fixed to the face of the concrete or other supporting structural members to give the appearance that the masonry is continuous over the concrete or supporting member.
Slope– The incline angle of a roof surface, given as a ratio of the rise (vertical) to the run (horizontal). See also pitch.
Soffit – the underside of an architectural feature, as a beam, arch.
Soffit closure (Fixing Roof Tiles) – A closure manufactured from rigid materials, fitted to the underside of the roof overhang at eaves and verges.
Softwood timber (Timber Roof Construction) – Timber derived from coniferous trees grown in South Africa.
Sole plate (Timber Floors) – A strip of timber, laid on top of walls to level the underside of flooring joists.
Solid masonry unit (Masonry) – A masonry unit either containing no cores or containing cores not exceeding 25% of the gross volume of the unit.
Sound attenuation– Sound proofing a wall or subfloor
Spacing– The distance between individual members in building construction.
Span- The clear distance that a framing member carries a load without support between structural supports. The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.
Spec home– A house built before it is sold. The builder speculates that he can sell it at a profit.
Specifications or specs – Detailed written instructions containing details of work to be done and materials to be used in the construction of a building.
Splash back– Usually in kitchens to enable easy cleaning of areas prone to splashing e.g. by the stove or sink.
Splatterdash (Cement plaster) – A mix of cement and fairly coarse sand, prepared as a thick slurry. It is flicked on as an initial coating to provide a key on dense substrates having poor suction, or to reduce or even-out suction of other types of substrates.
Splice (Timber Roof Structures) – point at which two chord members are joined together to form a single member.
Sprig (Glazing) – A small wedge of tin or zinc used to hold glass in the frame until the putty dries.
Square– A situation that exists when two elements are at right angles to each other. Also a tool for checking this.
Stair landing– A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction.
Stair rise– The vertical distance from stair tread to stair tread.
Static vent– A vent that does not include a fan.
STC (Sound Transmission Class)– The measure of sound stopping of ordinary noise.
Steel inspection– A municipal and/or engineers inspection of the concrete foundation wall, conducted before concrete is poured into the foundation panels. Done to insure that the rebar (reinforcing bar), rebar nets, void material, beam pocket plates, and basement window bucks are installed and wrapped with rebar and complies with the foundation plan.
Step flashing– Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane. 6″ X 6″ galvanized metal bent at a 90 degree angle, and installed beneath siding and over the top of shingles. Each piece overlaps the one beneath it the entire length of the sloping roof (step by step).
Stepped flashing (Fixing Roof Tiles) – Cover flashing used at an inclined intersection, with its upper edge shaped to step up course to course masonry and secured into the horizontal joints.
Stretcher bond (Masonry) – The arrangement of masonry units of equal size in such a manner that the perpend joints in alternate courses are centred on the unit below and are aligned vertically in every alternate course.
Strip flooring (Timber Floors) – A hardwood floor comprising of strips of width not less than 35mm and not more than 90mm, which is tongued on the one end and grooved on the opposite edge.
Strip footing (Foundations) – A rectangular unreinforced or lightly reinforced concrete foundation, which supports masonry walls.
Stile– An upright framing member in a panel door.
Stops– Moldings along the inner edges of a door or window frame. Also valves used to shut off water to a fixture.
Stop valve– A device installed in a water supply line, usually near a fixture, that permits an individual to shut off the water supply to one fixture without interrupting service to the rest of the system.
Storm sewer– A sewer system designed to collect storm water and is separated from the waste water system.
Story (storey)– That part of a building between any floor or between the floor and roof.
Strike– The plate on a door frame that engages a latch or dead bolt.
Strip flooring– Wood flooring consisting of narrow, matched strips.
Stub end (Timber Roof Structures) – when the top chords of the truss in a pitched roof do not coincide with the bottom members at the wall-plate but are supported by vertical members that form the end of the truss; these trusses are said to have stub ends or to be “bobtailed”.
Substrate (Cement plaster) – The material or combination of materials to, which the first coat of plaster is to be applied.
Suction (Cement plaster) – The property of a substrate, which determines its rate of absorption of water.
Suspended floor (Timber Floors) – Floor that spans between supports.
Stucco– Refers to an outside plaster finish made with cement as its base.
Subcontractor – A trades person hired to do specific work such as roofing, plumbing, wiring or painting. The subcontractor takes instructions from, is paid by, and is responsible to the main contractor.
Sump– Pit or large plastic bucket/barrel inside the home designed to collect ground water.
Sump pump– A submersible pump in a sump pit that pumps any excess ground water to the outside of the home.
Suspended ceiling– A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing.
Symmetrical truss (Timber Roof Structures) – truss with the same configuration of members occurring on each side of the truss centre line.
Switch– A device that completes or disconnects an electrical circuit.