Construction Terms I, Construction Terminology I
Construction Terms I speaks to construction terminology I and construction phrases I.
It is quite simply a list of common home and commercial building construction terminology used by architects, consultants and contractors of all kinds enabling them to speak the same language.
IBC International Building code
I Beam A steel beam with a cross section resembling the letter I. It is used for long spans as basement beams or over wide wall openings, such as a double garage door, when wall and roof loads bear down on the opening. It is more or less an obsolete term.
Ice Barrier A sheet material, usually rubberized underlayment or sheet metal, applied to the lower portions of sloped roofs in cold climates to protect against ice dams.
Ice Dam An obstruction along the eave of a roof, caused by the refreezing of water emanating from melting snow on the roof surface above.
ICF Insulating concrete form.
I Joist Manufactured structural building component resembling the letter "I". Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two key parts: flanges and webs. The flange of the I joist may be made of laminated veneer lumber or dimensional lumber, usually formed into a 1 ½" width. The web or center of the I-joist is commonly made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Large holes can be cut in the web to accommodate duct work and plumbing waste lines. I-joists are available in lengths up to 60 feet long.
Impact Isolation Class (IIC) An index of the extent to which a floor assembly transmits impact noise from a room above to the room below.
Impact Noise Noise generated by footsteps or other impacts on a floor.
Construction Terms I
Impact Wrench A device for tightening bolts by means of rapidly repeated torque impulses produced by electrical or pneumatic energy.
Incandescent Lamp A lamp employing an electrically charged metal filament that glows at white heat. A typical light bulb.
Incising Short, repetitive cuts made in the surface of a wood member to increase its absorption of treatment chemicals.
Index The interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the changes in monthly payments for an adjustable rate loan.
Infiltration The passage of air from indoors to outdoors and vice versa; term is usually associated with drafts from cracks, seams or holes in buildings.
Ingot A large block of cast metal.
Inside Corner The point at which two walls form an internal angle, as in the corner of a room.
Construction Terms I
Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) A system of lightweight components most commonly made of rigid polystyrene insulating foam, used as permanent formwork for the casting of concrete walls.
Insulating Glass A glazing unit made up of two or more sheets of glass with an airspace in between.
Insulation Board, Rigid A structural building board made of coarse wood or cane fiber in ½- and 25/32-inch thickness. It can be obtained in various size sheets and densities.
Insulation Any material high in resistance to heat transmission that, when placed in the walls, ceiling, or floors of a structure, and will reduce the rate of heat flow.
Intensive Green Roof A green roof with relatively deep soil capable of supporting a broad variety of plants and shrubs.
Interest The cost paid to a lender for borrowed money.
Interior finish Material used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings
Irrigation Lawn sprinkler system.
Internal Drainage Providing a curtain wall with hidden channels and weep holes to remove any water that may penetrate the exterior layers of the wall.
Internal Flashing In masonry, a flashing concealed with the masonry also called a concealed or through wall flashing.
Construction Terms I
Internal Gutter A gutter built into a roof assembly.
Interstitial Ceiling A suspended ceiling with sufficient structural strength to support workers safely as they install and maintain mechanical and electrical installations above the ceiling.
Intrados The concave surface of an arch.
Intumescent Coating A paint or mastic that expands to form a stable, insulating char when exposed to fire.
Inverted Roof A membrane roof assembly in which the thermal insulation lies above the membrane.
Iron In pure form, a metallic element. In common usage, ferrous alloys other than steels including cast iron and wrought iron.
Iron Dog A heavy U shaped staple used to tie the ends of heavy timbers together.
Ironworker A skilled labourer who erects steel building frames or places reinforcing bars in concrete construction.
Isocyanurate Foam A thermosetting plastic foam with thermal insulating properties.
Isolation Joint A type of structure/enclosure joint used with concrete slabs on grade to allow differential movement where they abut adjacent walls and columns.
Construction Terms I
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