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Glossary
P
panel door: A door that has a heavy frame
around the outside and at least one cross
member that separates panels of wood, glass,
metal, or other material.
parallel strand lumber (PSL): A product in
which thin strands of wood are glued together
under pressure; used for beams, columns,
and headers to provide high strength and
span capacity.
parametric: Term used to describe a type of
CADD program that lets you adjust the
parameters of an object without using formal
commands. For example, you can change the
size of a parametric object without using the
SCALE
command.
parge coat: A thin coat of plaster applied over
the foundation wall for refi nement of the
surface or for damp-proofi ng.
partial building section: A building section
that cuts through half or more of the structure,
but not its entire length.
patio: An outdoor feature at ground level
that is usually near the residence but is not
structurally connected to it.
pattern books: Publications such as treatises,
essays, and books of architectural design and
construction that are used for inspiration and
guidance.
peninsula kitchen: A kitchen that includes base
cabinets and counter areas extending into the
room from one of the walls. Peninsulas are
often used to separate the kitchen area from
a dining or family room.
percolation test: A soil test that determines how
readily the soil will absorb water; this test
provides a guide for the required design and
size of the disposal fi eld in a septic system.
period home: A home designed to represent the
past and traditional values. Period houses were
common just after the Industrial Revolution.
persistent bioaccumulative toxicants (PBTs):
Chemicals that are toxic to people and
animals and do not break down quickly, so
they accumulate in the body.
personal management skills: Personal skills
that allow you to perform your job well, such
as social skills, productivity, and responsibility.
O
object: An element used to create drawings.
Common objects in CADD software include
lines, points, circles, and arcs.
object line: Heavy line that shows the outline
of the features of an object or structure.
object snap: A drawing aid that allows the
cursor to “jump” to certain locations on
existing objects, such as the endpoint or
midpoint of a line or the center of a circle.
offi ce method: A commonly used method for
creating perspective drawings; also called the
common method.
ohm: A unit of measure used to describe the
amount of resistance to the fl ow of electricity.
one-and-one-half story: A one-story house with
a tall, wide roof that allows for expansion of
living space into the attic.
one-pipe system: A hydronic system in which
radiators are connected in series. Heated
water carried in the main pipe is diverted to
the radiators and then returned to the furnace.
one-point perspective drawing: A perspective
drawing that has only one vanishing point.
one-story: A house design in which all of the
living space is located on one level.
open cornice: A cornice in which the rafter
ends are exposed and the space between the
projecting rafter and the wall is not enclosed.
open plan: A residential design in which there
are few walls in the living area of the home.
Instead of having a separate dining room, an
open plan often has a great room with areas,
rather than rooms, dedicated to relaxing,
dining, and entertaining. See also closed plan.
oriented strand board (OSB): A panel product
in which long strands of wood are mixed with
resin, placed in layers, and pressed and cured.
orthographic projection: A technique for
representing the true height, width, and
depth of a three-dimensional object on two-
dimensional paper. Orthographic projection
uses an infi nite viewpoint to allow projection
lines to be parallel.
outlet: A hole or surface through which air or
heat from the climate control system enters
each room of a home.
overall dimension: The overall length of a wall
or the entire side of a house from end to end.
overhead doors: Another term for garage doors.