§ WIKI 1,965 entries · 26 active letters
A construction vocabulary.
Construction has its own vocabulary — and the meaning of a term often depends on which trade is using it. The wiki defines every term we cite, links it to the IRC sections that use it, and shows the wiki entries that depend on it.
§ 01 Directory
26 active letters.
Each letter opens a focused list of every term beginning with it — definitions, code citations, and related entries. Use ⌘K to jump straight to a term you already have in mind.
A
Entries
74
- ABS Pipe (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- AC Cable
- AC Condensate Drain
- + 71 more
All A →
B
Entries
91
- B-Vent (Type B Gas Vent Pipe)
- Backer Rod
- Backflow Preventer
- + 88 more
All B →
C
Entries
177
- 811 Call Before You Dig: What to Expect
- Cabinet Door
- Cabinet Hardware: Pulls, Knobs, and Hinges
- + 174 more
All C →
D
Entries
123
- Deadbolt
- Deadman
- Deck Board
- + 120 more
All D →
E
Entries
73
- Earthquake Gas Shutoff
- Earthquake Insurance: What Homeowners Should Know
- Earthquake Retrofitting: Cripple Walls and Anchor Bolts
- + 70 more
All E →
F
Entries
129
- Cabinet Construction: Frameless vs. Face Frame
- F-Channel
- Face Brick
- + 126 more
All F →
G
Entries
97
- Gable Vent
- Galvanized Pipe
- Garage Door
- + 94 more
All G →
H
Entries
147
- H-Channel
- H-Clip
- Hair Catcher
- + 144 more
All H →
I
Entries
38
- How to Identify Old Pipe Materials in Your Home
- I-Joist
- Ice and Water Shield: Where It Is Required
- + 35 more
All I →
J
Entries
11
- J-Bolt
- J-Channel
- Jack Stud
- + 8 more
All J →
K
Entries
14
- How to Keep Home Maintenance Records
- K-Style Gutter
- K-Style vs. Half-Round Gutters
- + 11 more
All K →
L
Entries
64
- Common Lumber Dimensions and Grades
- How LVP Compares to Hardwood and Laminate
- L-Bead
- + 61 more
All L →
M
Entries
60
- Main Breaker
- Main Drain
- Main Tee
- + 57 more
All M →
N
Entries
17
- How Often the NEC Is Updated and Why It Matters
- Nail Plate
- Natural Slate Roofing: Pros, Cons, and Cost
- + 14 more
All N →
O
Entries
18
- Occupancy Sensor
- Occupancy Sensor Switch
- Offset Flange
- + 15 more
All O →
P
Entries
149
- Home Improvements with Poor ROI
- How Much Paint Do You Need: Coverage Calculator
- How to Prep Exterior Surfaces for Paint
- + 146 more
All P →
Q
Entries
5
- Quarter-Round
- Quartz Countertop
- Quartz vs. Granite Countertops
- + 2 more
All Q →
R
Entries
106
- Cabinet Refacing vs. Painting vs. Replacement
- How to Reduce Traffic and Exterior Noise
- R-Value Explained: What It Means for Your Home
- + 103 more
All R →
S
Entries
245
- Common Structural Pests: Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Powder Post Beetles
- Concrete Slab
- Federal Solar Tax Credit and State Incentives
- + 242 more
All S →
T
Entries
105
- How to Troubleshoot a Dead Outlet
- T-Molding
- T1-11 Siding
- + 102 more
All T →
U
Entries
21
- Running Utilities to a Detached Structure
- UF Cable (Underground Feeder Cable)
- Ufer Ground
- + 18 more
All U →
V
Entries
32
- Vacuum Breaker
- Valley Flashing
- Valley Flashing: Open vs. Closed vs. Woven
- + 29 more
All V →
W
Entries
166
- Appliance Installation: What Requires a Professional
- Front Walkway Materials: Concrete, Pavers, Stepping Stones
- How Long Wood Fences Last and Maintenance Required
- + 163 more
All W →
X
Entries
1
- XPS Foam Board
All X →
Y
Entries
1
- Yard Drainage Problems and Solutions
All Y →
1
Entries
1
- 100 Amp vs. 200 Amp Service: What's the Difference
All 1 →
§ 02 Anatomy
How a wiki entry is structured.
Every entry follows a consistent shape so a contractor, a homeowner, and an inspector can find what they need without reading the whole article.
- 01DefinitionOne sentence in plain English. The 5-second answer. Set as a serif pull quote.
- 02When it appliesWhich conditions, occupancies, or projects bring the term into play.
- 03How it worksMechanism, materials, or process — written for a non-specialist reader.
- 04Code citationsEvery IRC section that uses the term, across 2018/2021/2024 editions.
- 05Related entriesInbound and outbound links — the other wiki entries that depend on this one.
§ 03 Next