Handyman Terms Glossary

Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of common terms for handyman services. This guide is tailored for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, aiming to enhance your understanding of essential terminology used in the field. Whether you're embarking on a home improvement project or seeking to expand your skill set, familiarizing yourself with these terms will improve communication, increase efficiency, and contribute to successful outcomes. From tools and materials to techniques and safety standards, this glossary covers a wide spectrum of topics crucial for any handyman's knowledge base.

16d Nail: A common framing nail that is 3.5 inches long, used in construction for joining lumber.

3-Way Switch: An electrical switch that lets you control a light or fixture from two different locations.

Accessibility: Features or modifications that make a space usable for people with disabilities.

Aging in Place: Home adjustments that allow individuals to live safely and comfortably in their own homes as they grow older.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI): A special circuit breaker that prevents electrical fires by detecting dangerous arcing conditions.

Assembly: The act of putting together components to create a complete product, like furniture or equipment.

Attic Insulation: Material installed in the attic to reduce heat loss or gain, improving a home's energy efficiency.

Baby Proofing: Making a home safe for young children by securing hazards and removing dangerous items.

Backerboard: A cement-based board placed under tiles to provide a solid surface for adhesion.

Backsplash: A protective and decorative wall covering installed behind sinks and countertops to prevent damage from splashes.

Baluster: A vertical post that supports the handrail in a staircase or railing system.

Baseboard: Decorative trim installed at the bottom of interior walls to cover the joint between the wall and floor.

Birdsmouth: A notch cut into a rafter to allow it to rest securely on the top plate of a wall.

Building Codes: Regulations that set standards for construction practices to ensure safety and compliance.

California Corner: A framing method that uses fewer studs in wall corners, allowing for better insulation.

Carpentry: The trade of cutting, shaping, and installing wood for buildings and structures.

Casing: Trim that surrounds windows or doors, covering the gap between the frame and the wall.

Caulk: A flexible sealing material used to fill gaps and cracks to prevent air or water leakage.

Caulking: The process of applying caulk to seal joints and seams in various structures.

Chair Rail: A horizontal molding installed on walls, usually about waist-high, to protect the wall from chair backs and add decoration.

Chalk Line: A tool with a string coated in chalk powder used to mark long, straight lines on surfaces.

Cornice: Decorative molding found at the top edge of a building or furniture, often where the wall meets the ceiling.

Composite Material: A material made by combining two or more different substances to create one with superior properties.

Crown Molding: Ornamental trim installed where walls and ceilings meet, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a room.

Cupping: A type of wood warping where the edges of a board curve upward, creating a concave shape.

Curing Time: The period required for a material like paint or concrete to fully harden and reach its maximum strength.

Custom Cabinets: Cabinets built to specific dimensions and designs to fit a particular space or style.

Cutting In: A painting technique involving carefully painting edges and corners with a brush before rolling the main surfaces.

Double-Hung Window: A window with two movable sashes that slide vertically, allowing for ventilation from the top or bottom.

Drywall: Also known as gypsum board, it's a panel used to construct interior walls and ceilings.

Drywall Finishing: The process of taping, mudding, and sanding drywall seams to create a smooth surface for painting.

Duct: A passage or conduit used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to deliver or remove air.

Energy Efficient: Products or practices that use less energy to perform the same function, reducing energy costs.

Energy Star: A government-backed program that certifies appliances and products meeting high energy efficiency standards.

Engineered Wood: Man-made wood products like plywood or MDF designed for specific structural applications.

Flux: A chemical cleaner applied during soldering to remove oxidation and improve the bond between metals.

French Doors: A pair of hinged doors with glass panes extending most of their length, opening from the center.

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): An electrical outlet designed to shut off power when it detects a ground fault, preventing electric shocks.

Grout: A mortar-like substance used to fill the spaces between tiles after they are set.

Habitable Rooms: Rooms designed for living purposes, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.

Heat Transfer: The movement of heat from a warmer area to a cooler one through conduction, convection, or radiation.

HVLP Spray Gun: A high-volume, low-pressure spray gun used for applying paint or finishes with reduced overspray.

Installation: The act of putting equipment or materials in place and making them ready for use.

Insulated Glass Unit (IGU): A window composed of multiple glass panes separated by air or gas-filled spaces for insulation.

Jigsaw: A power tool with a thin, reciprocating blade used for cutting curves and intricate shapes in various materials.

Joist: A horizontal structural element that supports floors or ceilings in a building.

Joint Compound: Also known as drywall mud, it's used to cover seams and screw holes in drywall installations.

Joint Tape: Tape used over drywall joints before applying joint compound to reinforce seams.

Level: A tool that indicates whether a surface is perfectly horizontal or vertical.

Linoleum: A durable flooring material made from natural substances like linseed oil and cork dust.

Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it, essential to a building's integrity.

Maintenance: Regular upkeep activities performed to keep equipment or property in good working condition.

Mantel: The decorative shelf or framework surrounding a fireplace.

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): An engineered wood product made by compressing wood fibers with resin under heat and pressure.

Newel Post: The main vertical support post at the start or end of a staircase railing.

Painting: The process of applying paint to surfaces for protection and aesthetic enhancement.

Pet Door: A small door installed in an exterior door or wall to allow pets to enter and exit freely.

PEX: Flexible plastic tubing used for water supply lines, known for easy installation and resistance to freezing.

Plumb Bob: A weight suspended from a string used to establish a true vertical line.

Pocket Door: A sliding door that retracts into a compartment within the wall, saving space.

Pocket Screw Joinery: A woodworking method where screws are driven into angled holes to join pieces of wood securely.

Popcorn Ceiling: A textured ceiling finish that helps hide imperfections and dampen sound.

Prefabricated: Components manufactured off-site and assembled on-site to save time and labor.

Primer: An initial coating applied to surfaces to improve paint adhesion and coverage.

Property Value: The monetary worth of a property based on factors like location, condition, and market trends.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): A versatile plastic material used for pipes, fittings, and other building materials.

Quarter-Sawn Lumber: Wood cut perpendicular to the growth rings, offering increased stability and unique grain patterns.

Railing: A barrier or guard, typically along stairs or balconies, consisting of posts and a handrail.

Remodeling: Altering a structure's appearance or function through construction and renovation work.

Remodeling Box: An electrical box designed for installation in existing walls without removing drywall.

Repair: The act of fixing or restoring something to its proper condition.

Ring Shank Nail: A nail with ridges along the shank for enhanced holding power in wood.

Robertson Screw: A screw featuring a square-shaped socket in the head, reducing slippage during installation.

Sawzall: A brand name commonly used to refer to any reciprocating saw, ideal for demolition work.

Schluter: Metal trim pieces used to finish and protect the edges of tile installations.

Setting Compound: A type of drywall mud that hardens chemically, used for filling large gaps and quick repairs.

Speed Square: A triangular tool used by carpenters for marking angles and making precise cuts.

Spontaneous Combustion: When a material ignites on its own due to chemical reactions generating heat.

Spud Wrench: A wrench with a tapered handle used to align holes in structural steel and pipe fittings.

Staining: Applying a colored liquid to wood to enhance its appearance and protect the surface.

Stick Built: Refers to homes constructed on-site piece by piece, using lumber and traditional building methods.

Structural Integrity: The strength and stability of a structure, ensuring it can withstand expected loads.

Sweating a Joint: The process of soldering copper pipes together to create a sealed connection.

Tack Cloth: A sticky cloth used to wipe away dust and debris before painting or finishing surfaces.

Teflon Tape: Also known as plumber's tape, it's wrapped around pipe threads to create a watertight seal.

TV Wall Mount: A bracket system that secures a television to a wall, freeing up space.

Underlayment: A layer placed under flooring or roofing materials to provide a smooth surface and additional support.

Universal Design: Designing spaces and products to be accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

Vapor Barrier: A material used to prevent moisture from passing through walls, floors, or ceilings.

Veneer: A thin slice of wood glued onto a core panel to give the appearance of solid wood.

Wainscoting: Decorative wood paneling applied to the lower portion of interior walls for protection and style.

Water Heater Insulation: Insulating materials added to a water heater to reduce heat loss and improve efficiency.

Weatherproofing: Applying materials or techniques to protect structures from the elements like rain, wind, and temperature extremes.

Wood Rot: Decay in wood caused by fungi, leading to softness and structural weakness.