Construction Terms 101: A Homeowner’s Guide to Remodeling Vocabulary

If you’ve ever found yourself nodding along in a remodeling consultation but wondering what half the words actually mean, you’re not alone. Construction has its own language—and at Good Morning Remodel, we believe you shouldn’t need a contractor’s license to understand your own project.

This homeowner-friendly glossary breaks down the most common (and some technical) construction terms used in remodeling so you can feel confident, informed, and in control of your investment.

A–C

Accessory Structure – A standalone building on your property, such as a detached garage, workshop, or pool house.

Air Barrier – A system used in construction to prevent airflow through the building envelope, increasing energy efficiency.

Allowance – A budget placeholder used when an item (like tile or fixtures) hasn’t been selected yet.

Backsplash – The material installed on the wall behind a countertop to protect against spills and splashes.

Blocking – Short framing pieces added between joists or studs to support items like cabinetry or handrails.

CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) – A concrete block used for walls or foundations.

Coping – A decorative trim or technique used to finish corners, particularly with molding.

Curing – The process of maintaining moisture and temperature conditions to allow concrete to reach full strength.

D-F

Dead Load – The permanent weight of structural components (walls, floors, roofing) of a building.

Double-Hung Window – A window with two movable sashes that slide vertically past each other.

Drywall – Sheets of gypsum board used for interior walls and ceilings.

Ductwork – The system of ducts used to distribute heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

Expansion Joint – A separation built into materials like concrete or siding to allow for expansion and prevent cracking.

Facade – The exterior face or front of a building, often referring to its architectural style.

Fascia – The horizontal board on the edge of the roof where gutters are typically attached.

Finish Carpentry – The detailed work done after framing, like baseboards, crown molding, and window casings.

Fire Blocking – Materials installed to prevent the spread of fire through concealed framing areas.

Float (Concrete) – A tool or technique used to smooth freshly poured concrete surfaces.

Footing – A concrete base that supports the foundation of a building.

G-L

Grade Beam – A concrete beam at grade level used to support walls where the soil cannot support a spread footing.

GFCI Outlet – A safety electrical outlet that shuts off power when it detects a short or water intrusion.

Grout – A cement-based material used to fill spaces between tiles.

Hardscaping – Non-living elements in a landscape like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and stone features.

Hurricane Tie – A metal bracket used to connect roof trusses to walls for wind resistance.

HVAC – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that regulate indoor climate.

ICC (International Code Council) – Group that develops building safety codes adopted by local jurisdictions.

Joist – A horizontal structural member used in floors or ceilings to support loads.

Lap Siding – Overlapping horizontal boards used for exterior siding, often made from wood or fiber cement.

Ledger Board – A structural board anchored to a wall to support a deck or floor joists.

Load-Bearing Wall – A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it.

M-P

Millwork – Custom woodwork such as moldings, trim, cabinets, and doors.

Moisture Barrier – A material used to prevent water vapor from entering walls, floors, or ceilings.

Nosing – The rounded edge of a stair tread that extends beyond the riser below.

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) – An engineered wood product used for wall and floor sheathing.

Overhang – The portion of a roof that extends past the exterior wall to help divert rain away from the home.

Paint Grade – Materials intended to be painted (not stained), typically made from MDF or soft woods.

Parging – A smooth coat of mortar applied to masonry surfaces, especially foundations, for a uniform appearance.

Permit – Official approval from a local authority to proceed with construction or remodeling work.

Pilot Hole – A small hole drilled to prevent wood from splitting when driving in a screw or nail.

Punch List – A final list of tasks or fixes that must be completed before a project is considered finished.

Q-S

Quarter Round – A rounded trim often used at the base of walls to cover the expansion gap between floor and wall.

R-Value – A measure of thermal resistance in insulation; higher numbers mean better insulating properties.

Rafters – Sloped structural members that support a roof, typically found in traditional framing.

Rebar – Steel reinforcement bars embedded in concrete to increase its tensile strength.

Rim Joist – The outermost joist that runs around the perimeter of a floor system.

Rough-In – The initial phase of plumbing, electrical, or HVAC installation done before drywall or finishes.

Scupper – A drainage opening in the side of a building or roof edge to allow water runoff.

Self-Leveling Compound – A cement-like mix that flows over uneven subfloors to create a flat surface.

Shim – A small, wedge-shaped piece used to align or level building components during installation.

Sill Plate – The framing member that anchors a wall to the foundation or slab.

Soffit – The finished underside of a roof overhang or ceiling.

Subfloor – The layer of structural flooring beneath the finished floor surface.

T-Z

Tempered Glass – Heat-treated safety glass that breaks into blunt pieces instead of sharp shards.

Thermal Bridge – A part of a structure where heat transfers more easily, often due to poor insulation.

Toe-Nail – A technique of driving nails at an angle to connect two framing members.

Tongue and Groove – A joint system where boards interlock for seamless flooring or paneling.

Truss – A pre-engineered triangle-shaped framework used in roofing for structural support.

Turnkey Project – A fully completed remodeling project that is move-in or use-ready with no work left to be done by the homeowner.

Underlayment – A material placed between the subfloor and finished floor to provide support, sound absorption, or moisture resistance.

Vapor Retarder – A material used to limit the passage of water vapor, commonly installed in walls and ceilings.

Wainscoting – Decorative wood paneling applied to the lower part of a wall.

Work Order – A document detailing a specific task or set of tasks to be performed during a remodel.

Zero Clearance Fireplace – A type of fireplace that can be installed close to combustible materials due to its insulation design.

At Good Morning Remodel, we believe that an informed homeowner is an empowered one. Remodeling your home is a big investment—not just financially, but emotionally. It’s your space, your style, and your vision coming to life. And we understand that unfamiliar terms and technical jargon can make the process feel overwhelming.

That’s why we created this dictionary: to give you a clear, easy-to-understand guide to the language of construction and remodeling. Whether you’re planning a new deck, adding a guest house, or reconfiguring your kitchen layout, our goal is to make sure you always feel confident about what’s happening in your home.

Communication is one of the most important tools we use on every project. If you ever come across a word you’re unsure about—or just want more clarity on how something works—we’re always happy to walk you through it. No question is too small, and no detail is unimportant when it comes to building trust.

We’re not just here to complete a project; we’re here to make your experience smooth, collaborative, and even enjoyable. We hope this guide helps you feel more at ease and more engaged as you begin your remodeling journey.

And if you’re ready to take the next step—or just want to talk through ideas—we’d love to hear from you.