Foundation

Part of a structural system that supports and anchors the superstructure of a building and transmits its loads directly to the earth. To prevent damage from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, the bottom of the foundation must be below the frost line.

The foundations of low-rise residential buildings are nearly all supported on spread footings, wide bases (usually of concrete) that support walls or piers and distribute the load over a greater area. A concrete grade beam supported by isolated footings, piers, or piles may be placed at ground level, especially in a building without a basement, to support the exterior wall. Spread footings are also used—in greatly enlarged form—for high-rise buildings.

Other systems for supporting heavy loads include piles, concrete caisson columns, and building directly on exposed rock. In yielding soil, a floating foundation—consisting of rigid, boxlike structures set at such a depth that the weight of the soil removed to place it equals the weight of the construction supported—may be used.

Concrete Block:

A masonry building unit of concrete that has been cast into a standard shape, size, and style.

Bricks

A brick is a block or a single unit of a kneaded clay-bearing soil, sand and lime, or concrete material, fire hardened or air dried, used in masonry construction.

Lightweight bricks (also called lightweight blocks) are made from expanded clay aggregate. Fired brick are the most numerous type and are laid in courses and numerous patterns known as bonds, collectively known as brickwork, and may be laid in various kinds of mortar to hold the bricks together to make a durable structure.

General Interiors Drywall Finishes

The finished appearance of a drywall wall or ceiling is largely dependent upon the quality of the framing job and the care exercised in applying the drywall panels. The better the framing and cladding, the easier it is to have a near-perfect wall.

Once that is accomplish hed, the last remaining challenge is to finish the joints to meet your appearance expectations.

This chapter helps you determine the level of quality you need in your finish and shows you how to obtain it.

Insulation

Material that retards or prevents the progression of transmission of electricity, heat, moisture, shock, or sound from one item or medium to another.

Siding

Material, such as boards or shingles, used for surfacing the outside walls of a frame building.