Page 174 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

CONSTRUCTION DEFINITIONS/FUNCTIONS (con’t)

28. Rafter: A beam that slopes from the ridge of a roof to the eaves and serves to support
the roof load, sometimes called roof joists.

29. Rebar: A steel reinforcing rod embedded in the concrete to provide greater strength to
the concrete.

30. Ridge board: A horizontal board at the ridge of the roof to which the tops of rafters are
fastened.

30. Riser: The vertical boards that form the front of a stair step.

32. Sheathing: The structural material, usually wood boards or plywood, which cover the
studs or rafters of a structure (usually part of the wall or roof).

33. Sleeper: A wood member attached to a concrete slab floor that serves to fasten sub-
flooring or flooring.

34. Stair stringer: A heavy board leading from one floor to the next, where the tread and
risers of the stairs are nailed to form stair steps.

35. Sub-floor: A rough floor of boards or plywood laid on top of floor joists and over which
the finished floor is laid.

36. Termite shield: A strip of metal installed on the foundation wall to prevent the entry of
subterranean termites from the soil below.

37. Trim: The finish materials, usually wood, installed around openings such as windows
and doors.

38. Vapor barrier: A plastic membrane placed over the soil under a concrete slab during
construction to prevent excessive moisture from getting in the building above.

39. Wainscoting: A wall covering, usually wood paneling, forming the lower portion of inte-
rior walls.

40. Weep hole: A hole through the retaining wall used to drain off water that builds up.

174