In construction, the metal accessories, such as doorknobs, hinges, locks, etc.

Wood used for interior finish, such as oak, maple, and walnut. Although the term originally referred to the type of tree and not the hardness of the wood, modern usage usually refers to the hardness of the wood.

Blending compatibly, as parts of buildings, buildings in a neighborhood or subdivision, etc.

Usually describes a door in the deck of a boat. A door in the ceiling or floor of a building, giving access to the attic or cellar.

Real estate insurance protecting against loss caused by fire, some natural causes, vandalism, etc., depending upon the terms of the policy.

Determining which sites are most in need of immediate Superfund money. The system was created by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The ranking considers such things as degree of toxicity, amount of toxicity, and danger to people.

(1) The upper framing member of a door or window. Also called a header. (2) The beginning of a river or stream.

A term used in homestead exemptions to designate the person in charge of managing and supporting a family. It need not be a parent.

A horizontal beam over a wall opening, such as a doorway, fireplace, etc. The header is attached to vertical framing members, and spreads the weight from above to these members.

(1) The fireside. (2) The fireplace floor, of stone, brick, tile, etc.

A dead portion of a tree, no longer producing sap. The wood from the center of the tree (pith) to the wood which produces sap (sapwood).

A pump used in either heating or cooling.

Connotes a device working by itself to heat a small area (space heater), rather than a heating system, composed of a central source of heat (furnace) and pipes and ducts which heat several spaces.

A general term encompassing any system designed to heat a structure in its entirety, as opposed to a space heater.

Any industry designated “heavy industry” under a zoning ordinance. Usually connected with some type of pollution, such as air, water, or noise pollution.

A building having steel beams, girders, or other framing members, which carry heavy floor loads.

A french unit of measurement, equaling 10,000 square meters (2.471 acres).

That part of a vertical framing member which rests closest to the floor.

A zoning term referring to the regulation of maximum building heights for structures in given areas.

One who by law, rather than by will, receives the estate of a deceased person.

Words usually found in a deed, showing the interest the grantee is receiving. A deed to “A, his heirs and assigns”, would grant the property to A, with the right to assign said property or have it descend to A’s heirs upon A’s death. This would be considered a fee interest (estate). This would differ from, for example, a life estate granted to A, which would terminate upon A’s death and could not be inherited by A’s heirs.