Construction Milestones

Build Your Home

BENCHMARK THE BUILDING OF YOUR HOME.

An informed and knowledgeable homebuyer is more likely to be a satisfied customer. To help you gain a better understanding of the terms associated with the construction of your home, we have created a glossary of common phrases as well as an overview of key milestones within the building process.

DEFINITIONS

Air Seal refers to caulking gaps within exterior walls.

Deck refers to the sub-floors / floor trusses assembly.

Drainage System refers to the way the Interior/Exterior Drainage Systems work together. The exterior system passes water through the weep-holes (in footers) and into the interior drain tile. The interior drain tile passes water to the sump crock where a pump discharges the water to the exterior of your home.

Elevation is the height of your home above “Sea Level”. Elevation can also refer to the façade (face) of your home.

Exterior Drainage System includes drain tile surrounded by stone and wrapped with fabric to ensure silt does not clog the system. Waterproof membrane is also applied to foundation walls of buried basements. See Drainage System.

Final Survey is a certificate that identifies the boundaries of your property.

Fire-stop (or fire-stopping) refers to containing the rapid spread of fire within a wall cavity or chase.

Footings are the concrete pads that support your foundation.

Grading refers to the moving of dirt by our excavator.

Interior Drainage System includes drain tile run in a continuous loop to a sump crock. See Drainage System.

Point loads refers to downward forces (concentrated loads) that must be carried to the foundation of your home

Point Up is done to remove/repair significant imperfections in the drywall.

Protective Wrap is a moisture and wind barrier. The wrap allows moisture to diffuse from within your home and act as a barrier to exterior moisture.

Sill Plate is the treated wood plate (usually 2x4’s) strapped (anchored) on top of your foundation.

Weep-Holes are placed along the footings to allow for drainage. See Drainage System.