877
Glossary
water closet: Another term for toilet; often
abbreviated WC on fl oor plans.
water softener: A water treatment system that
uses line pressure to push hard water through
a canister fi lled with a synthetic resin, where
ion exchange is performed to soften the water.
water vapor: Water in its gaseous state.
watt: A unit of measure used to describe the
energy (electrical) needs of appliances. One
watt is equal to one ampere under one volt of
pressure (amp × volts = watts).
weather stripping: A material or device that
seals small cracks around doors and movable
windows to reduce heat loss.
weatherization: Preventing air from leaking
around the windows and doors in a building.
web: The framework between the chords in a
fl oor truss.
well hole: The space between fl ights of stairs
in wide U stairs.
winder stairs: A stairway in which pie-shaped
steps are substituted for a landing.
window schedule: A list of all of the windows
to be installed in a building, including
complete specifi cations.
wireframe: A group of lines in 3D space that
represent the edges of a 3D model. Wireframe
models have no thickness and no “skin” or
covering.
wood foundation: A foundation that consists of
a below-grade, plywood-sheathed, pressure-
treated stud wall.
wood I-joist: A structural member made from
2 × 4 machine-stressed lumber or LVL fl anges
grooved to receive a 3/8″ OSB or plywood
web that is glued in place.
work breakdown structure (WBS): A formal
listing of construction information by
category; used to make building estimates
more organized and easier to understand.
work centers: The three main areas of activity
in a kitchen: the food preparation center,
cleanup center, and cooking center.
work triangle: A measure of kitchen effi ciency
that is determined by drawing a line from the
front-center of the range to the refrigerator
to the sink and back to the range. The sum
of the lengths of these three lines should not
exceed 21′ in an effi cient kitchen.
U-shaped kitchen: A kitchen in which the
work centers are located on three adjoining
walls, in a U shape.
V
vanishing points: The points at which all lines
on an object in a perspective drawing will
converge if they are extended.
vanity: A cabinet that encloses a sink.
vent stack: The portion of the soil stack that
protrudes above the roof.
ventilation: The circulation of fresh air, especially
within a closed space.
verandah: A large porch that typically extends
along an entire wall of a residence.
VHA Master Specifi cations: A set of master
specifi cations provided by the Department
of Veterans Affairs and accepted by major
lenders for construction loans.
Victorian period: The general name for an
architectural period during the Industrial
Revolution. In this period, architects made
use of new technology by designing and
constructing extremely ornate residences.
virtual model: A model constructed entirely
within a computer using CADD software.
volatile organic compounds (VOCs):
Chemicals that contain carbon compounds
that vaporize at room temperature.
volt: A unit of measure defi ned as the force that
causes one ampere of current to fl ow through
a wire that has one ohm of resistance.
voltage: The pressure that forces electric current
to fl ow through a wire conductor.
W
walkout basement: A daylight basement with
the addition of an entry that allows access to
the outdoors.
walkthrough animation: A computer
animation that allows prospective clients
to “walk through” a 3D CADD model of a
proposed house.
wall section: A building section that shows
details on one exterior wall.
wall stack: A vertical duct designed to fi t between
the studs; usually measures 12″ × 3-1/4″.
warped roof: A roof with complex curvature;
the most common shape is a hyperbolic
paraboloid.