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A

ABS
A black plastic (acrylonictrill-butadiene-stryrene) pipe widely used for drainage and venting

Acre
Land area containing 43,560 square feet

Actual Size Lumber
Finished lumber size after distressing and shrinkage. A nominal 2" x 4" would have an actual size of 1-1/2" x 3-1/2".

Adobe
Clay soil used for making sun-dried bricks. Used for constructing houses in Southwestern part of the US

Aggregate
In concrete, a part mix of sand, crushed stone or gravel. The term also refers to exposed crushed rock on the surface of plaster or concrete.

Air Conditioning
The circulating of cooled, cleansed, and moisture controlled air in a building.

Alcove
A recess in a wall.

Alluvial
Material deposited by flowing water.

Amps
Rate of electrical flow.

Anchor
A shaped metal fastener used to hold building components together.

Anchor Bolt
Bolts used to fasten sills, columns, or beams to the foundation. The bolts are set in concrete.

Apron
An interior piece of trim placed below a window to conceal rough edges

Arch
A curved structural support over an opening or an open area.

Architect
A person who designs building and other structures

Architectural Drawings
Blueprints that show the basic non structural elements of a building such as Floor plans, framing, windows, doors, elevations.

Asbestos
A mineral fiber sometimes used as insulationand roof shingles. It is resistant to high tempuratures. Not used today becuase of the harmful effects of the fibers.

Asphalt
A heavy petroleum based substance used in various forms for hot-mopped roofing, dampproofing or water-proofing, and for driveways and highway surfacing.

Asphalt Shingle
Asphalt based roofing shingle topped with crusehd rock.

ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials

Astragal
On double doors, a verticle member attached to the lockinging sode of one of the doors so as to overlay the second door when it is closed covering the gap between the two doors.

Awning Window
Outwing window with hinges at the top.

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