Deck Building Glossary DC

The following information was sourced from Correct Deck.

Actual Dimensions - The exact measurements of a piece of lumber. For instance, a 2x4 (nominal dimensions) is actually 1 1/2 inches thick by 3 1/2 inches wide.

Attached Deck - A deck with one or more sides supported by a ledger and attached to a house.

Baluster - One of a series of vertical supports used between posts of a railing. Also called a spindle.

Beam - A horizontal support member on which joists rest. Beams usually are supported by posts.

Bevel Gauge - Also known as a T-bevel, the bevel gauge is a flat piece of metal attached to a handle with a wing nut that allows the metal piece to be set at any angle to the handle. It's used primarily to mark angles when copying them from a plan or piece of the deck to another piece.

Block Plane - A small plane used to finish off rough edges of a deck.

Bottom Rail - the horizontal member, installed on edge, attached to the bottom of the balusters, as well as the post. The Bottom Rail is not required if the balusters extend to and are attached to the Rim Joist.

Bracing - Structural supports placed between posts and beams or joists to provide stability to the structure.

Bridging - Boards placed perpendicularly between joists to stiffen the joists. Frequently, bridging is made from the same dimension lumber as the joists.

Buglehead Screw - A screw with a curved taper between the head and shank or threads so it doesn't tear the wood when screwed down flush with the surface.

Cantilever - the allowable overhang past the joists or rim joists.

Cap Rail - The top horizontal piece of a railing, usually placed to give it a finished appearance.

Carriage Bolt - A bolt with a rounded head that is pulled down onto the surface of the wood as the nut is tightened. Used to hold structural members together, the rounded head gives a finished look to the bolt. Bolts should be checked annually and tightened if necessary.

Cement - A powder that serves as a binding element in concrete and mortar. Also, any adhesive.

Chalk Line - An enclosed reel of string coated with colored chalk and used to mark straight lines by pulling the string taut and snapping the string, leaving a line of chalk marking a line. Commonly used in deck building to mark the edge of decking so that all decking boards can be cut off flush with each other.

Codes - Regulations detailing accepted materials and methods of building. Usually codes are adopted by city, county, or state building departments. Most counties promulgate local building codes.

Concrete - A mixture of cement, sand, and gravel.

Concrete Spatula - A flat piece of metal with a projecting handle used to smooth concrete footings.