Remodeling & Construction Terms
In the world of home remodeling and constructions, there are different terms or lingos that are used out there that an individual just starting out in home construction or remodeling may not always know or be familiar with. Below are some of those terms to help you in your understanding of the construction world.
General Contractor (GC): the GC is the overseer of the home construction or building project. In other words, the GC is the lead contractor that manages the subcontractors and the overall completion of the project.
Addition: whenever you hear home additions, it is basically adding structure or creating new space to an existing home. Such additions could be adding in a new bathroom, a new kitchen, adding a bedroom, and etc. Basically your home renovation contractors are doing more than just remodeling, it’s almost like they’re building a brand new home.
Aggregate: they are particulate that are used by general contractors in home renovations, new builds, and etc. to fill different void areas on a site, for drainage purposes and other applications.
Attic Fan: during an attic renovation, the general contractor may add a fan in there if there isn’t already one there in order to help cool that space during the hot days.
Backsplash: it is the material that is used against the walls above your countertops. During home remodeling, contractors may used special decorative tiles against that wall to help add life to the kitchen or make it stand out. The backsplash can help make or break a kitchen renovation.
Laminate Flooring: it is a floating composite floor material. It is very popular in new construction builds and newly remodel homes.
Baseboard: it is the wood or composite material that is ran between the floor and the walls of the home. Baseboards vary in height, but they are typically between 3” to 8”.
Basement Finishing: it is the process of remodeling that particular area from an unfinished space to a usable one.
Bearing Wall: a wall that helps to support major sections of the home or building; in other words, those walls are not simply partitions. They are there to help with supporting the weight of the house.
Building Permit: It is a form of approval or authorization that says you or the contractor can start work on your home remodeling or commence construction on that new home or building.
Cabinet Refacing: it is the process of giving your cabinets a new look by replacing the veneer on surfaces of the cabinets with new ones, replacing hardware, sometimes doors, drawer fronts, and etc. During home renovations, home owners may sometime have their contractors do a refacing rather ripping out the old kitchen cabinets and replacing in order to cut cost.
Cathedral Ceiling: it is a ceiling that matches the pitch of the roof, is symmetrical and meet at a peak. It is a feature that home remodelers will tell you is loved by owners and will try to add if the existing home allows during the renovations.
Countertops: it is essentially a kitchen bench or the flat space that rest upon your cabinets. When doing home renovation or building remodeling you, discover that there are all kinds of countertops to choose from. Your home renovation contractor is usually a good source on where to find the best countertops if you’re unsure.
Curb Appeal: it is basically the attractiveness of your home usually from the exterior point of view. Syracuse home renovation contractors are a great source for ideas on how to get the best curb appeal for your house or building.
Insulation: It is the material placed in the walls of a home to help with temperature control. Whether you are doing a complete home renovation, house addition, or an attic remodeling where you bring everything to the stud, you’ll discover when replacing the insulation or adding new ones that there is a ton of option to choose from.
Vanity: the cabinets on which your bathroom sink rest upon. One of the best ways to spruce up the look of a bathroom during renovation is add a beautiful vanity.
Drywall: panel materials used in home renovations, new builds, building constructions, and etc. for walls and ceiling constructions. These panels are composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. There are many different names that they go by and some of them are the following: sheet rock, wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board and etc.
Floating Floor: it refers to a floor that uses an interlock system similar to fitting puzzle pieces together to install them; no need for fasteners. Floating floors are very popular in home remodeling; they are used often by home renovation contractors and remodelers.
General Contractor (GC): the GC is the overseer of the home construction or building project. In other words, the GC is the lead contractor that manages the subcontractors and the overall completion of the project.
Addition: whenever you hear home additions, it is basically adding structure or creating new space to an existing home. Such additions could be adding in a new bathroom, a new kitchen, adding a bedroom, and etc. Basically your home renovation contractors are doing more than just remodeling, it’s almost like they’re building a brand new home.
Aggregate: they are particulate that are used by general contractors in home renovations, new builds, and etc. to fill different void areas on a site, for drainage purposes and other applications.
Attic Fan: during an attic renovation, the general contractor may add a fan in there if there isn’t already one there in order to help cool that space during the hot days.
Backsplash: it is the material that is used against the walls above your countertops. During home remodeling, contractors may used special decorative tiles against that wall to help add life to the kitchen or make it stand out. The backsplash can help make or break a kitchen renovation.
Laminate Flooring: it is a floating composite floor material. It is very popular in new construction builds and newly remodel homes.
Baseboard: it is the wood or composite material that is ran between the floor and the walls of the home. Baseboards vary in height, but they are typically between 3” to 8”.
Basement Finishing: it is the process of remodeling that particular area from an unfinished space to a usable one.
Bearing Wall: a wall that helps to support major sections of the home or building; in other words, those walls are not simply partitions. They are there to help with supporting the weight of the house.
Building Permit: It is a form of approval or authorization that says you or the contractor can start work on your home remodeling or commence construction on that new home or building.
Cabinet Refacing: it is the process of giving your cabinets a new look by replacing the veneer on surfaces of the cabinets with new ones, replacing hardware, sometimes doors, drawer fronts, and etc. During home renovations, home owners may sometime have their contractors do a refacing rather ripping out the old kitchen cabinets and replacing in order to cut cost.
Cathedral Ceiling: it is a ceiling that matches the pitch of the roof, is symmetrical and meet at a peak. It is a feature that home remodelers will tell you is loved by owners and will try to add if the existing home allows during the renovations.
Countertops: it is essentially a kitchen bench or the flat space that rest upon your cabinets. When doing home renovation or building remodeling you, discover that there are all kinds of countertops to choose from. Your home renovation contractor is usually a good source on where to find the best countertops if you’re unsure.
Curb Appeal: it is basically the attractiveness of your home usually from the exterior point of view. Syracuse home renovation contractors are a great source for ideas on how to get the best curb appeal for your house or building.
Insulation: It is the material placed in the walls of a home to help with temperature control. Whether you are doing a complete home renovation, house addition, or an attic remodeling where you bring everything to the stud, you’ll discover when replacing the insulation or adding new ones that there is a ton of option to choose from.
Vanity: the cabinets on which your bathroom sink rest upon. One of the best ways to spruce up the look of a bathroom during renovation is add a beautiful vanity.
Drywall: panel materials used in home renovations, new builds, building constructions, and etc. for walls and ceiling constructions. These panels are composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. There are many different names that they go by and some of them are the following: sheet rock, wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board and etc.
Floating Floor: it refers to a floor that uses an interlock system similar to fitting puzzle pieces together to install them; no need for fasteners. Floating floors are very popular in home remodeling; they are used often by home renovation contractors and remodelers.