Glossary

A safety switch is a special ON and OFF feature of a power tool that requires an extra step for turning ON and an easier one step or automatic OFF function. This special switch can prevent accidental operation and easier shutoff in case of an emergency.

The safety tip of a nail gun is a feature of an air nailer that must be pressed to a surface before the gun will fire

Sandpaper is special paper with an abrasive layer attached to one side for smoothing and leveling surfaces in preparation for painting

A sandwich header is asolid structural site made beam made of layers of material such as lumber and OSB laminated together to span over a rough opening

A sash is a movable or fixed section of a window that holds the glass

A sash brush is a detail brush (usually with an angled bristle head) for cutting in and other fine brush work. Sometimes called a “trim” or “cut in” brush

A sash lock is a window component used to secure a movable sash in the window frame for security

Satin is a term used to describe amedium gloss sheen. It is duller than semigloss with more shine than eggshell

Scale is the amount of reduction from actual size that a building is drawn to. Expressed as a ratio (Ex. ¼” = 1’)

SCFM or Standard Cubic Feet per Minute is a measurement of the maximum volume of air a specific compressor can deliver while running. Typically given with a PSI number as well (ex. 2.6 SCFM @ 90PSI)

A schedule is a designation for how thick the wall is for a pipe. Higher schedule numbers meaning a thicker wall. The most common schedules are Sch 40 and Sch 80, but the actual wall thickness varies depending on the size of the pipe.

A screwdriver is a hand-held tool to install or remove screws and threaded fasteners

SDS are Safety Data Sheets or product reports that include information such as the properties and ingredients of a specific material; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures when using; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the material

Sealer is a type of primer that seals and protects the surface material being coated.

A seam is aline or gap where two surfaces meet that requires caulking. Often has a level change or corner edge to it

The secondary grip is the location where the support hand holds the tool during operation.

Section view is aview showing an interior area or hidden part of a building by cutting away or removing layers of the structure. Also called a cutaway.

Semigloss is a medium gloss sheen. Duller than gloss but more shine thansatin

Service wires are large wires that supply power to the load center from the meter

Set time is the amount of working time before a setting compound hardens and loses its workability

The shank of a fastener includes the shaft of a nail or screw not including the threads, head, or point

A shasta is a classic distinctive contoured brush handle favored for larger brushes

A sheath is a protective cover for a tool or brush – usually tool-specific used to protect the tool or user while being stored

Sheathing is panel materials fastened to the exterior of a building to add shear strength to the framing and/or help enclose the structure

A shoe is the foot of a ladder, usually has a non-slip surface like rubber or plastic for greater traction on hard surfaces.

The shoe of a saw is the base of a reciprocating saw for support as it is held against the material while cutting

A shoe plate is the lower continuous horizontal wall framing component that holds the studs in place at the floor. Also referred to as a bottom plate or a sole plate

A short-stroke is the fully retracted position of the saw blade as it reciprocates

A shutoff valve is a service valve installed under sinks and toilets used to stop the flow of water in a supply line in the event of a malfunction or repair.

The side rails of a ladder are vertical components which hold the steps or rungs together and provide structural strength to the whole assembly

A sidewinder is a type of circular sawwhere the blade is directly connected to the shaft of the saw motor. Sometimes referred to as a direct-drive saw

To sight a board is to view it from one end to determine its straightness or specific defects

Siliconized in a terms used to describe caulk products that are mainly latex based with a certain amount of silicon added in to improve its workability, durability, and elasticity

The sill is the lower horizontal board that defines the bottom edge of a window rough opening

A single bevel compound miter saw is a saw with a bevel angle adjustment in one direction only (typically to the left as you are facing the front of the saw)

The single fire setting on an air nailer is a setting that allows only one fastener to leave the gun with each pull of the trigger

A single ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder that is fixed in length, consisting of one solid section with no moving parts.

A single pole switch is adisconnect device that controls one circuit

A single tank compressor is a portable compressor type with one storage tank

A single-ply header is a configuration that uses a single layer of material as a header pushed to the front or back face of the rough opening. Additional framing is required to complete the rough opening

A sledgehammer is a larger heavier hammer used for forceful blows like demolition work

A sleeve is another term used for a roller cover

A sliding compound miter saw is a compoundmiter saw with an added sliding action of the blade and motor for cross-cutting larger materials

A sliding compound miter saw is a compoundmiter saw with an added sliding action of the blade and motor for cross-cutting larger materials

Slip joint pliers are a medium-sized gripping tool with adjustable jaws

A slope is the pitch or drop of a drainpipe to achieve a downhill slant for the proper removal of wastewater in a plumbing system. The typical slope of drains is ¼” per linear foot of drain line

Smolder is a term used to describe a fire that burns slowly and produces a large amount of smoke but no visible flame

Solder is a metal alloy with a low melting point used to join copper and brass pipe and fittings. Also the act of melting solder into a joint

A sole plate is the lower continuous horizontal wall framing component that holds the studs in place at the floor. Also referred to as a bottom plate or a shoe plate

Solid wire is one single strand of material used as a conductor

Solids are paint ingredients that are left behind after the carrier evaporates. This element in the paint forms the hardened protective paint film

Solvent is a liquid in an oil-based paint that the solids are dissolved in to allow a paint film coat to be applied. The paint coat hardens by the evaporation of the solvent

Spackle is a prep step where holes and voids are leveled with filler. Derived from a German word meaning “filler”

A spackle knife is a flat and flexible knife for scraping and filling defects on the surface. Also called a Blade or Putty knife

Span is the length of a beam, header, or other component or more specifically the distance it travels as it bridges from one side of and opening to another

Span rating is a panel specification used to determine the stud layout needed to adequately support the sheathing material. Larger span ratings allow for greater stud spacings

The speed select switch of a drill allows foradjustment of the maximum motor speed.  Typical settings are a lower number for a slower top speed and a higher number for faster top speed

A speed square is a small measuring tool used to mark square and angled lines on lumber

A spinner is a tool for removing water from a brush or roller cover after washing

Spiral shank nails have raised ridges along their length that works like screw threads for more grip in materials

A splitter is a table saw safety device that helps prevent kickback and another term for a riving knife

Square is the condition of two lines or planes that forming a 90 degree angle relative to each other

Staggered blocking alternates high and low block placement along a center line for end nailing of blocks on both sides

Staggered seams are vertical joints shifted along framing members on layout to be non-continuous and dispersed along a wall, floor, or roof surface for the purpose of strength and/or aesthetics

Stain blocker is a type of primer that works as a barrier to prevent discolorations in the surface material from leaching into the finish coat layer. Also called a “sealer”

Stainless steel is a naturally corrosion-resistant material used for fasteners and hardware requiring extra protection in high corrosion environments

Standout is the ability of a tape measure blade to remain straight and extend out on its own, unsupported

A stapler is a pneumatic tool for driving 18-22 gauge collated staples

Stipple is the texture created by a rolled paint application. Can appear subtle or extreme based on the nap characteristics

Straight blocking aligns blocks placed in a straight line requiring toenailing of one end of each block

A stranded wire is a single conductor made of several smaller strands of wire bundledtogether.This wire type is more flexible than solid wire

Strap is special hardware used to secure conduit to a surface. Comes in one hole or two hole design

A strap nailer is a pneumatic tool for driving teco nails into metal strap hardware

A stud is a general term used for anyvertical framing component found in a wall frame that is often weight bearing and falls on layout. Also see common stud, jack stud, king stud, end stud, cripple stud

A stud bay is the open space that exists between two studs within a wall frame

A substrate is a base surface material or layer that is being worked

To sweat is the process of sealing and connecting copper and brass fittings with flux, solder, and heat from a torch

A sweep is a pipe bend fitting used in drains to permit smooth passage of wastewater and waste.

Swirl marks are a sanding defect identified by regular circular or arced lines in a sanded surface produced from a spinning circular disk

A symbol is a simpler mark, character, or drawing used as a substitute to represent a more complex actual object.