The round screened screw-on tip of a sink spout that mixes water and air for a smooth flow.
Architect
Someone who has completed a course of study in building and design, and is licensed by the state as an architect.
Awning window
A window unit in which the bottom of the sash swings outward.
Balusters
Vertical members in a railing used between a top rail and bottom rail (sometimes referred to as pickets or spindles).
Balustrade
The rail, posts and vertical balusters along the edge of a stairway or elevated walkway.
Bay window
A composite of three windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30- or 45-degree angles to the wall.
Bonus Room
A room that can be used in many different ways, but has no designated (such as kitchen or bedroom) function.
Bow window
A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation.
Cabinet
An enclosure or storage unit that is either built-in or stands on its own.
Cantilever
A projecting structure supported on one end, such as a balcony.
Casement window
A window unit in which a single sash cranks outward, to the right or left.
Clerestory window
A venting or fixed window above other windows or doors on an upper outside wall of a room.
Concrete Board
A panel composed of concrete and fiberglass usually used as a tile backing material.
Custom Cabinets
Cabinets built to fit into a specific space.
Double glazing
Use of two panes of glass in a window to increase energy efficiency and provide other performance benefits.
Double-Hung Window
A window unit that has two operable sashes which move vertically in the frame.
Earth Advantage® Remodeling
A program run by Portland General Electric that encourages energy-efficient design, healthier indoor air, environmentally responsible construction, and resource-efficient building.
Efflorescence
A white chalky material found on concrete basement walls and other concrete surfaces where water has leached chemicals out of the concrete. The appearance of this material is typically a sign of past or present moisture penetration.
Fixed Window
Non-venting, non-operable.
French Hinged Door
Hinged door that has wider panel members around the glass.
French Sliding Door
Sliding door having wider panel members around the glass to give the appearance of a French hinged door.
Fungal Wood Rot
A common wood-destroying organism that develops when wood-containing material is exposed to moisture and poor air circulation. (Often wrongly referred to as "dry" rot.)
Hangers
Upper set of kitchen cabinets.
Insulating Glass
A combination of two or more panes of glass with a hermetically sealed air space between the panes of glass. This space may or may not be filled with an inert gas, such as argon.
Interior Designer
A professional who designs houses, interiors, kitchens, baths, etc.
Interior Finish
Material used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings.
Kitchen Triangle
Imaginary triangle extending from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator. One way to maximize the efficiency of a kitchen is by reducing the traveling distance between these appliances.
Landing
A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction.
Lazy Susan
Circular, revolving platform which provides access to all sides. Lazy Susans are especially handy in poorly accessible parts of kitchen cabinets.
Light
A separately framed piece of glass in a window or door.
Load-Bearing Wall
All exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder.
Nonbearing Wall
A wall supporting no load other than its own weight.
Overhang
Part of the roof that hangs over the wall.
Pass-Through
Opening in the wall between the kitchen and dining area that is used to pass food and dishes.
Pendant
Pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling over dinette tables, game tables, kitchen counters, or other work areas to provide either task or general lighting.
Pitch
The angle of slope of a roof.
Post-and-Beam
Wall construction in which beams are supported by heavy posts rather than many smaller studs.
Pull-Out Spray
Single-control kitchen faucet which offers a retractable hose and sprayhead for rinsing.
R Value
A measure of insulation value. The higher the R value, the more insulating effect it has.
Radiant Heat
A heating system utilizing hot water, steam pipes, or electric resistance coils to heat the floors, walls or the ceiling of a room.
Radius Window
A window with an arched top.
Ridge Vent
A vent mounted along the entire ridge line of the roof to allow the passage of air through the attic or cathedral ceiling.
Roof Vent
A vent mounted in the top of the gable to allow the passage of air through the attic.
Sidelights
Narrow fixed glass units joined to door units to give a more open appearance and allow more light.
Single-Hung Window
A double-hung type of window in which the top sash is fixed or inoperable.
Soffit
The underside of the roof overhang that covers the rafter bottoms. This horizontal surface usually has vents to allow air flow into the attic.
Subfloor
The structural material that spans across floor joists and provides a base for flooring materials such as tile, carpet or hardwood flooring.
Transom
A small hinged window directly above a door.
Vaulted Ceiling
A ceiling that angles upward on one or both sides to create volume in the room.
Veneer
Thin sheets of wood used to cover cabinet surfaces. This is done usually to showcase the surface wood, often an exotic or expensive species.
Wall Cabinet
Enclosures that are installed against a wall and off the floor, often in a kitchen or storage area.
Weatherstripping
A material or device used to seal the openings, gaps or cracks of window and door units to prevent water and air infiltration.
