Lumber & Framing

#1 (No. 1) (Number 1 grade)
A higher structural lumber grade than #2, with fewer and smaller knots and defects.
Builder’s Insight: Specify #1 when appearance or extra strength matters, such as exposed framing or longer spans.

#2 (No. 2) (Number 2 grade)
The most common framing lumber grade. It allows more knots and defects than #1 but is suitable for most structural uses in homes.

Beam / girder
A main horizontal support member that carries joists or other loads.

Blocking
Short pieces of lumber installed between joists, rafters or studs to brace them, stop fire spread or give a solid backing for attaching cabinets, grab bars and trim.
Builder’s Insight: Planning blocking before drywall saves cutting into finished walls later.

Board foot (BF)
The standard volume measure for lumber: 144 cubic inches, or a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long (using nominal sizes). A 12-foot 2x4 equals 8 board feet.
Builder’s Insight: Knowing board feet lets you compare lumber prices quoted per MBF.

Bow, crook, cup and twist
Types of warp in lumber: bow bends along the face, crook bends along the edge, cup curves across the width, and twist is a spiral.
Builder’s Insight: Warped boards make walls and floors uneven, so check and set aside bad pieces before installing.

CDX plywood (C-D grade, Exposure 1 (X) glue)
Common sheathing plywood with a C-grade face and D-grade back, bonded with exposure-rated glue. It can handle weather during construction but is not meant for permanent exterior exposure.
Builder’s Insight: Cover CDX with siding or roofing; don't leave it exposed long-term.

Cripple stud
A short stud above a header or below a window sill.

Crown (framing)
The slight upward curve along the edge of a board. Carpenters install joists and rafters 'crown up' so loads flatten them.
Builder’s Insight: Installing crown up helps keep floors and roofs flat over time.

DF-L (Douglas Fir-Larch)
A Western species group prized for strength and stiffness, common in western framing, beams and headers.

Dimensional lumber
Softwood lumber sawn to standard sizes (2x4, 2x6, 2x10 and so on), mainly 2 to 4 inches thick, used to frame walls, floors and roofs. Learn more

Drywall / gypsum board
Panels of gypsum plaster between paper facings used for interior walls and ceilings; often called sheetrock.

Finger-joint (FJ)
Short pieces of wood glued end-to-end with interlocking 'finger' cuts to make longer, straighter pieces. Common in studs and primed trim.
Builder’s Insight: Finger-jointed studs and trim tend to stay straighter than solid pieces.

Grade stamp
The ink mark on lumber showing the grading agency, mill number, grade, species and moisture condition.
Builder’s Insight: Inspectors use the grade stamp to confirm code-compliant material.

Header
A beam over a door or window opening that carries the load above.
Builder’s Insight: Header size depends on the opening width and load, so follow your plans or engineering.

Hem-Fir (Hemlock-Fir)
A Western species group of western hemlock and several true firs, used for general framing.

Hold-down
A heavy metal connector that anchors a wall or post to the foundation or the floor below to resist uplift and overturning.
Builder’s Insight: Hold-downs are often called out on shear wall plans and checked at framing inspection.

Hurricane tie
A metal connector that ties rafters or trusses to the wall top plate to resist wind uplift.
Builder’s Insight: Codes in many areas require uplift connectors at every truss or rafter.

Joist
A horizontal framing member that supports a floor or ceiling.

Joist hanger
A metal bracket that supports the end of a joist or beam against another framing member.
Builder’s Insight: Use the nails specified by the manufacturer; the hanger's rated capacity depends on them.

KD / KD19 (Kiln-Dried / Kiln-Dried to 19%)
Lumber dried in a kiln to a maximum moisture content of 19%. KD19 often appears on Southern Pine grade stamps and price lists.
Builder’s Insight: Drier lumber shrinks and warps less after it's installed.

King stud / jack stud
A king stud runs full height beside a door or window opening; a jack (trimmer) stud is shorter and supports the header.

Linear foot (LF)
A straight-line measure of length in feet, regardless of width or thickness. Trim, moulding and decking are often priced per linear foot.

Load-bearing wall
A wall that supports weight from above; it can't be removed without adding another support.
Builder’s Insight: Always confirm whether a wall is load-bearing before a remodel removes it.

MBF (Thousand board feet)
One thousand board feet (M is the Roman numeral for 1,000). Commodity lumber prices are usually quoted in dollars per MBF.

MSR (Machine Stress Rated)
Lumber whose stiffness is measured by machine rather than graded only by eye, giving more precise strength values for trusses and engineered uses.

Nominal vs. actual size
Lumber is sold by its nominal (named) size but is smaller after drying and planing. A 2x4 actually measures about 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches.
Builder’s Insight: Use actual sizes when calculating wall thickness, jamb widths and spans.

On center (OC)
Spacing measured from the center of one framing member to the center of the next, typically 16 or 24 inches.
Builder’s Insight: Spacing affects how many studs or joists you need and which sheathing will work.

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
A structural panel made of wood strands layered in cross directions and bonded with resin; the most common wall and roof sheathing.

PET (Precision End Trimmed)
Studs and lumber trimmed square to an exact length at the mill, such as precut 92-5/8 inch studs for 8-foot walls.
Builder’s Insight: Precut studs save cutting time and give consistent wall heights.

Plywood
A structural panel made of thin wood veneers glued in alternating grain directions; used for sheathing, subfloor and underlayment.

Rafter
A sloped framing member cut and installed on site to support the roof, as opposed to a factory-built truss.

Random lengths (shipment)
Lumber shipped in mixed lengths rather than specified (spec) lengths.

S-Dry (Surfaced Dry)
Lumber surfaced (planed) at 19% moisture content or less, whether air- or kiln-dried.

S-GRN (Surfaced Green)
Lumber surfaced while its moisture content is above 19%; it will shrink as it dries.
Builder’s Insight: Green lumber can shrink and move after installation.

S4S (Surfaced Four Sides)
Lumber planed smooth on all four sides, the standard finish for framing lumber and boards.

Select Structural
The highest visually graded structural lumber grade, with the fewest defects and highest strength values.

Shear wall
A wall braced with sheathing and fasteners to resist sideways forces from wind and earthquakes.
Builder’s Insight: Shear walls need the specified sheathing and nail pattern to pass inspection.

Sheathing
Structural panels, usually OSB or plywood, fastened to the outside of walls and roofs.

Sill plate
The bottom horizontal board fastened to the foundation; it must be pressure-treated where it touches concrete.
Builder’s Insight: Untreated wood on concrete can absorb moisture and rot.

Sill sealer
A thin foam gasket placed between the foundation and the sill plate to block air and moisture.

Simpson Strong-Tie
A major manufacturer of structural connectors such as joist hangers, hurricane ties and hold-downs; many builders say 'Simpson' for any connector.

Span rating
Numbers on a structural panel stamp (such as 32/16 or 24 oc) showing the maximum spacing of supports in inches for roof and floor use.
Builder’s Insight: Match the panel's span rating to your rafter, truss or joist spacing.

SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir)
A species group of similar softwoods, mostly from Canada and the northern U.S., graded and sold together; common for studs and framing.

Stick framing
Framing a house piece by piece on site rather than with prefabricated components.

Stud
A vertical framing member in a wall.

Stud grade
A lumber grade made specifically for vertical wall studs, typically 10 feet and shorter; strong enough for load-bearing walls but not for joists or rafters.
Builder’s Insight: Don't use stud-grade lumber for joists, rafters or headers.

Subfloor panel
Structural tongue-and-groove OSB or plywood glued and fastened to floor joists. Premium subfloor panels are made to resist moisture better during construction.
Builder’s Insight: A moisture-resistant subfloor helps avoid swelling and sanding if it gets rained on before dry-in.

SYP (Southern Yellow Pine)
A group of strong, dense pines grown in the southern U.S. (loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash). The most common framing and treated lumber species in the Southeast, graded under SPIB rules.

Tongue and groove (T&G)
Boards or panels milled with a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other so they lock together; common on subfloor panels, flooring and some siding.
Builder’s Insight: T&G edges keep subfloor panels flush between joists and reduce squeaks.

Top plate
The horizontal board or boards at the top of a wall frame; usually doubled.

Engineered Wood & Trusses

Component framing
Building with factory-made components such as trusses, wall panels and engineered wood instead of cutting every piece on site.
Builder’s Insight: Components can reduce on-site labor, framing time and waste.

EWP (Engineered Wood Products)
Manufactured wood products made by bonding veneers, strands or lumber with adhesives, giving consistent strength and long lengths. Includes LVL, LSL, PSL, I-joists and glulam.
Builder’s Insight: EWP is straighter and more predictable than sawn lumber for long spans and heavy loads.

Floor truss
A flat engineered truss used for floors. Its open web lets plumbing, ductwork and wiring pass through.
Builder’s Insight: Open webs save trades from drilling or notching joists.

Glulam (Glued laminated timber)
A beam made by gluing layers of dimension lumber together; used for long spans and exposed beams.
Builder’s Insight: Glulam can be left exposed as a finished architectural beam.

I-joist
An engineered floor or roof joist shaped like a capital 'I', with lumber or LVL flanges and an OSB web. Light, straight and able to span long distances.
Builder’s Insight: Never cut or notch I-joist flanges; follow the manufacturer's hole chart.

LSL (Laminated Strand Lumber)
Engineered lumber made from long wood strands glued under pressure; very straight and used for rim board, headers and tall wall studs.
Builder’s Insight: LSL's straightness makes it a good choice for tall walls that must stay flat.

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
An engineered beam made of thin wood veneers glued together with the grain running the same way; used for headers, beams and rim board.
Builder’s Insight: LVL is stronger and straighter than sawn lumber of the same size.

PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber)
A high-strength engineered beam or column made of long veneer strands glued in parallel (for example, Parallam); used for heavy beams and posts.

Rim board
Lumber or engineered wood fastened around the perimeter of a floor system, capping the ends of the joists and carrying loads from the wall above.
Builder’s Insight: Rim board must match the depth of your joists, so order it with the floor system.

Truss
A factory-built, engineered framing component made of lumber joined with metal plates in triangulated patterns; used for roofs and floors.
Builder’s Insight: Trusses go up faster than stick-framed rafters; never cut or alter one without the engineer's approval.

Truss layout
A drawing showing the location and type of each truss on a house.
Builder’s Insight: Your crew sets trusses using the layout, so keep it on site.

Wall panel
A wall section framed in a factory (studs, plates, headers and sheathing) and delivered to the jobsite ready to stand up.
Builder’s Insight: Panels can cut days of on-site framing labor.

Treated Lumber & Outdoor

ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary)
A copper-based wood preservative introduced as a residential replacement for CCA. It is more corrosive to metal than older treatments.
Builder’s Insight: Use hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel fasteners and connectors with ACQ-treated lumber.

CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate)
An older arsenic-based wood preservative that was voluntarily phased out of most residential uses at the end of 2003. It is still used for some industrial and marine products, such as poles and pilings.

Composite decking
Deck boards made from wood fiber and plastic, often with a protective outer cap, that resist rot and need little maintenance.
Builder’s Insight: No annual staining or sealing like wood decking requires.

FRT (Fire-Retardant-Treated wood)
Lumber or plywood treated with chemicals that slow flame spread; required by code in some commercial and multifamily applications.

GC (Ground Contact) (Ground Contact)
A label on treated lumber meaning it is treated for ground contact (UC4A or higher). Lumber labeled 'Above Ground' should not be buried or set in soil.
Builder’s Insight: Using above-ground lumber in the soil can lead to early rot.

Hidden fasteners
Clips that attach deck boards from the side so no screws show on the surface. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: They give a clean deck surface with no screw heads to snag bare feet.

Hot-dip galvanized (HDG) / G185
Steel fasteners and connectors with a thick zinc coating to resist corrosion from treated lumber. G185 is a heavy coating level commonly specified for treated wood.
Builder’s Insight: Plain steel fasteners can corrode quickly in modern treated lumber.

KDAT (Kiln-Dried After Treatment)
Pressure-treated lumber that is re-dried after treatment so it is lighter, more stable and ready to paint or stain sooner.
Builder’s Insight: KDAT lumber shrinks less after install, so deck gaps and trim joints stay tighter.

Ledger board
A board fastened to the side of a house or beam to support the ends of deck or floor joists.
Builder’s Insight: Most deck failures start at the ledger, so flash it and fasten it as your code requires.

MCA (Micronized Copper Azole)
A widely used modern copper-based wood preservative with the copper ground into micro-sized particles; lighter in color than older treatments.

Pressure-treated lumber (PT)
Lumber forced under pressure to absorb wood preservatives that resist rot and termites. Typically required for ground contact, decks and wood touching concrete or masonry.
Builder’s Insight: Check the tag's Use Category to make sure it fits where you're installing it.

UC1 (Use Category 1)
Treated-wood use category for interior, dry locations, such as interior framing protected from moisture.

UC2 (Use Category 2)
Treated-wood use category for interior, damp locations, such as framing that may get occasional moisture but stays protected from weather.

UC3A (Use Category 3A)
Treated-wood use category for exterior, above-ground uses that are coated (painted) and shed water quickly, such as painted trim.

UC3B (Use Category 3B)
Treated-wood use category for exterior, above-ground uses that are uncoated or hold water, such as deck boards, railings and joists off the ground.

UC4A (Use Category 4A)
Treated-wood use category for general ground contact. AWPA standards call for UC4A or higher in ground-contact uses, such as deck and fence posts and wood that is hard to replace.
Builder’s Insight: Use UC4A or higher for anything touching soil or hard to replace later.

UC4B (Use Category 4B)
Treated-wood use category for heavy-duty ground contact, such as permanent wood foundations, critical structural posts and high-decay-hazard areas.

UC4C (Use Category 4C)
Treated-wood use category for extreme-duty ground contact, such as utility poles and pilings in severe conditions.

UC5 (Use Category 5 (A/B/C))
Treated-wood use categories for marine use in salt or brackish water (5A northern, 5B central, 5C southern waters).

Use Category (UC)
AWPA's system for rating treated wood by where it will be used, from UC1 (interior dry) to UC5 (marine). The higher the number, the harsher the exposure and the more preservative required.
Builder’s Insight: The UC on the end tag tells you whether a board is right for ground contact.

Windows, Doors & Millwork

Baseboard (base)
Trim installed where the wall meets the floor. Learn more

Brickmould
Thick exterior casing installed around exterior doors and windows; named for its use where brick or siding meets the frame.

Casement window
A window hinged on the side that cranks open outward. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Casements seal tightly when closed and open fully for ventilation.

Casing
Trim installed around door and window openings to cover the gap between the frame and the wall.

Clad window
A wood window covered on the exterior with aluminum or vinyl for low maintenance. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: You get a wood interior look without painting the outside.

Crown moulding
Decorative trim installed where the wall meets the ceiling. Learn more

Door handing
The direction a door swings and which side its hinges are on (left-hand or right-hand, inswing or outswing).
Builder’s Insight: Wrong handing is one of the most common door ordering mistakes, so confirm it on every door.

Door shop / millwork shop
A facility where doors are prehung and millwork is assembled before delivery. Learn more

DP rating (Design Pressure rating)
A rating of how much wind and rain pressure a window or door can withstand. Higher DP ratings are required in high-wind areas.
Builder’s Insight: Your local code may set a minimum DP rating for windows and doors.

Egress window
A window large enough for emergency escape, required by code in sleeping rooms.
Builder’s Insight: Check minimum opening size and sill height before ordering bedroom windows.

Jamb
The frame around a door or window, made up of two side jambs and a head jamb.
Builder’s Insight: Jamb width must match your wall thickness, including drywall and sheathing.

Low-E glass (Low-emissivity glass)
Glass with a thin, invisible metal coating that reflects heat, improving energy efficiency. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Low-E glass helps keep Southern homes cooler in summer.

MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
An engineered board made from wood fibers and resin; smooth and stable, used for paint-grade trim and interior doors.
Builder’s Insight: MDF paints well but should be kept away from water and ground contact.

Millwork
Finished wood products made in a mill, including doors, windows, trim, mouldings and stair parts.

Moulding / trim
Shaped strips of wood, MDF or PVC used to finish and decorate where surfaces meet, such as around doors and along floors and ceilings. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Primed finger-jointed or MDF trim saves painting time on paint-grade jobs.

Prehung door
A door already hung on hinges in its frame (jamb), ready to set in the rough opening. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Prehung doors install faster and more consistently than hanging slabs on site.

Rough opening (RO)
The framed opening in a wall that a window or door fits into; it is slightly larger than the unit itself.
Builder’s Insight: Frame to the manufacturer's rough opening size, not the unit size.

SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)
The share of the sun's heat that passes through a window, from 0 to 1. Lower numbers block more heat.
Builder’s Insight: A low SHGC helps reduce cooling costs in hot Southern climates.

Sidelite / transom
A sidelite is a narrow glass panel beside a door; a transom is a glass panel above a door or window.

Single-hung / double-hung window
Single-hung windows have a fixed top sash and a sliding bottom sash; on double-hung windows both sashes move. Learn more

Slab door
A door panel only, with no frame, hinges or hardware prep.
Builder’s Insight: Slabs suit replacements in an existing frame; new openings usually need a prehung door.

Stair parts
The components of a staircase: treads (steps), risers (vertical boards between treads), handrails, newels (main posts) and balusters (spindles).
Builder’s Insight: Codes set limits on riser height, tread depth and baluster spacing.

Trim package / millwork package
The interior doors, trim and related millwork needed to finish a house, quoted and delivered together.

U-factor
A measure of how much heat a window or door lets escape; lower numbers mean better insulation.
Builder’s Insight: Energy codes set a maximum U-factor for windows.

Building Envelope & Exterior

Engineered wood siding
Siding made from treated wood strands and resin, such as LP SmartSide; lighter than fiber cement and easier to cut.

Fiber cement siding
Durable siding made of cement, sand and cellulose fibers (for example, James Hardie or Nichiha) that resists fire, rot and insects. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Fiber cement is heavy and needs specific cutting tools and dust control.

Flashing
Metal or membrane material that directs water away from joints, such as around windows, roofs and chimneys.
Builder’s Insight: Missing or poorly lapped flashing is a leading cause of leaks and callbacks.

Flashing tape
Self-adhesive membrane tape used to seal window and door flanges, sheathing seams and other openings against water.
Builder’s Insight: Follow the window maker's taping sequence to keep warranties valid.

Housewrap / WRB (Water-Resistive Barrier)
A sheet membrane installed over wall sheathing that sheds liquid water while letting water vapor escape. Often called 'Tyvek' after DuPont's well-known brand. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Properly lapped housewrap keeps water that gets behind siding from reaching the sheathing.

Lap siding
Horizontal siding boards installed so each course overlaps the one below to shed water; made from fiber cement, engineered wood, vinyl or wood. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Proper overlap and nailing are what keep lap siding watertight.

PVC / cellular trim
Exterior trim made from cellular PVC (for example, AZEK) that won't rot.
Builder’s Insight: Good for trim near the ground, roofs and other wet areas.

R-value
A measure of insulation's resistance to heat flow; the higher the R-value, the better it insulates.
Builder’s Insight: Energy codes set minimum R-values for walls, ceilings and floors.

Roofing square
A roofing unit covering 100 square feet; shingles are sold by the square, usually three bundles.

Soffit and fascia
The fascia is the trim board along the roof edge; the soffit is the finished underside of the roof overhang, often vented.
Builder’s Insight: Vented soffit is part of how many attics get the airflow they need.

Underlayment
A protective layer under roofing or flooring. Roof underlayment (felt or synthetic) adds a water barrier under shingles.
Builder’s Insight: Many shingle warranties require a specific underlayment.

ZIP System sheathing
Huber Engineered Woods' wall and roof sheathing with a built-in water-resistive barrier facing. Seams are sealed with ZIP System tape, replacing separate housewrap or felt.

Construction, Codes & Plans

BABA (Build America, Buy America Act)
A 2021 federal law requiring that iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials (including lumber) used in federally funded infrastructure projects be produced in the U.S., with limited waivers.
Builder’s Insight: If your project has federal funding, confirm material origin requirements before ordering.

Build-to-rent (BTR) / single-family rental (SFR)
Detached homes built to be rented rather than sold, often in large planned communities. Learn more

Building permit
Official approval from the local building department to build; permits come with required inspections.

Closings
Completed home sales, when the buyer takes ownership. Builders often measure their size by annual closings.

CO (Certificate of Occupancy / Change Order)
Two common meanings: a Certificate of Occupancy is the official document that allows a building to be lived in; a Change Order is a formal change to the agreed scope or price of a job.

CSI Divisions 6, 8 and 10
Sections of the CSI MasterFormat used to organize commercial and multifamily specifications: Division 6 (wood, plastics and composites), Division 8 (openings, such as doors and windows) and Division 10 (specialties). Wilson Lumber's Multifamily division supplies materials in all three.

Custom home
A house designed and built for a specific owner, usually on their own lot, with many unique selections.

Cycle time
The number of days it takes to build a house from start to completion.
Builder’s Insight: Shorter cycle times free up a builder's capital and capacity.

Downtime
Time when work on a jobsite stops, often because materials are late or missing. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Every idle day adds labor, overhead and carrying costs to a home.

Draw schedule
A schedule for releasing construction loan funds at set completion milestones.

Dry-in
The point when the roof, sheathing, underlayment and housewrap are on and the house is protected from rain.
Builder’s Insight: Interior trades and moisture-sensitive materials usually wait until dry-in.

Elevation
A drawing of one side of a building. Builders often offer several elevations (exterior styles) of the same floor plan.

ENERGY STAR
An EPA program that certifies energy-efficient homes and products, including windows and doors.

Engineered (sealed) drawings
Drawings stamped by a licensed engineer; often required for trusses, beams and other structural components.
Builder’s Insight: Inspectors may ask to see sealed truss or beam drawings on site.

Framer / framing crew
The subcontractor who builds the structural frame of the house, and usually the crew receiving framing deliveries.

Garden-style apartments
Low-rise apartment buildings, usually two to four stories, with landscaped open space. Learn more

GC (General Contractor) (General Contractor)
The company or person responsible for the entire construction project, who hires and manages subcontractors.

HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System)
A score of a home's energy efficiency: 100 represents a standard new home, and lower scores are more efficient.
Builder’s Insight: Some codes and programs let you show energy compliance with a HERS score.

Housing starts
The number of new homes on which construction began during a period; a widely watched measure of building activity.

IBC (International Building Code)
The model building code for commercial and larger multifamily buildings.

IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)
The model code that sets minimum energy-efficiency requirements for buildings; states and localities adopt it with their own changes.

Inspections
Code-required visits by the building inspector at stages such as foundation, framing, rough-in, insulation and final.
Builder’s Insight: A failed inspection can stall the next trade, so plan materials around inspection dates.

IRC (International Residential Code)
The model building code for one- and two-family homes and townhouses, adopted (often with local changes) by most U.S. jurisdictions.
Builder’s Insight: Your local building department enforces its adopted version of the IRC, which may differ from the latest edition.

Jobsite
The construction location where materials are delivered and work happens.

Lot
The parcel of land a house is built on.

Multifamily
Residential buildings with multiple housing units, such as apartments, townhomes and condominiums. Learn more

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
The federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety rules, including on jobsites.

Plan set
The full set of construction drawings for a house, including floor plans, elevations, sections and details.
Builder’s Insight: A complete plan set gives your supplier what it needs for an accurate takeoff.

Podium construction
Wood-framed apartment floors built on top of a concrete 'podium' level used for parking or retail. Learn more

Production builder
A builder that builds many homes from a set of standard plans, often in subdivisions, with a focus on schedule and cost.

Punch list
A list of items that need fixing or finishing before a job is complete.

Remodeler
A contractor focused on renovations and additions rather than new homes.

Roof pitch
Roof slope expressed as inches of rise per 12 inches of run (for example, 6/12).
Builder’s Insight: Pitch affects truss design, roofing material choices and underlayment requirements.

Rough-in
Installing plumbing, electrical and HVAC lines in the walls before insulation and drywall.

Slab / crawl space / basement
The three common foundation types: a concrete slab on grade, a raised floor over a short crawl space, or a full basement.

Spec home
A house built 'on speculation' before a buyer is under contract.

Spec sheet / specifications
A document listing the products, brands and finishes for a house.

Subcontractor
A specialty contractor, such as a framer, plumber or electrician, hired by the builder or general contractor.

Subdivision / community
A development of many lots, often built out by one or a few builders.

Superintendent / PM / CM (Project Manager / Construction Manager)
The builder's on-site manager responsible for schedule, subcontractors, inspections and quality on a group of homes.

Takeoff
Counting and measuring every material needed from a set of building plans; suppliers use takeoffs to prepare quotes.
Builder’s Insight: An accurate takeoff reduces shortages, extra trips and leftover material.

Trim-out
The finish stage when doors, trim and fixtures are installed.

Warranty / callback
A builder's return visit to fix a problem after closing.
Builder’s Insight: Callbacks cost time and money, and many trace back to material or installation issues.

Wind zone / high-wind area
Areas where code requires stronger construction, such as higher-DP windows and more connectors, to resist wind.

Ordering, Delivery & Credit

2% 10, net 30
Payment terms that give you a 2% discount if you pay within 10 days; otherwise the full amount is due in 30 days.
Builder’s Insight: Paying early on a large framing package can add up to real savings.

Backorder
An item that has been ordered but can't ship yet because it is out of stock; it ships when it becomes available.
Builder’s Insight: Ask about backorders early so a missing item doesn't hold up your schedule.

Bid
A formal price offered to do work or supply materials for a project, often in competition with other suppliers or contractors.

Boom truck
A delivery truck with a crane arm that can lift materials such as shingles or sheathing onto a roof or upper floor.
Builder’s Insight: A boom delivery saves your crew from hand-carrying heavy materials up ladders.

Commodity vs. specialty products
Commodity products, like framing lumber and panels, have prices that move with the market. Specialty (non-commodity) products, such as doors, windows, millwork and hardware, tend to have more stable pricing.
Builder’s Insight: Commodity prices can change between quote and delivery, so watch quote expiration dates.

Contract pricing
Special pricing set up for a specific customer, often by house plan or product category.

Credit application
The form you complete to open a charge account with a supplier. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: An approved account lets your team order on terms instead of paying at each purchase.

Credit limit / credit hold
A credit limit is the maximum balance an account can carry. If an account goes over its limit or past due, it may be placed on credit hold and new orders paused.
Builder’s Insight: A credit hold can stop deliveries, so keep payments current during busy stretches.

Credit memo
A document that reduces what you owe, such as for a return or a pricing correction.

CSR (Customer Service Representative)
The person at a supplier who handles your orders, delivery questions and account issues.

Delivery ticket
The paperwork that comes with a delivery listing the items shipped; it is signed as proof of delivery.
Builder’s Insight: Check the ticket against what's on the ground before the driver leaves.

Direct mill shipment
Lumber shipped straight from the sawmill to the dealer or jobsite without passing through a wholesaler's warehouse.

Dispatch
The team that schedules and routes delivery trucks and drivers.
Builder’s Insight: Dispatch is the right contact when you need to change a delivery time or location.

Drop / drop ship
A 'drop' usually means a delivery to a jobsite. A 'drop ship' is when a manufacturer ships directly to the jobsite or customer instead of through the dealer's yard.

Estimate
A calculated projection of materials and cost for a job, usually based on a takeoff from the plans. Learn more

Flatbed
A flat, open trailer or truck used to haul lumber.

Framing package
All the materials needed to frame a house, such as lumber, sheathing, engineered wood, trusses and connectors, quoted and delivered together. The lumber and panel portion alone is sometimes called the lumber package. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: One package per plan makes job costing and delivery scheduling simpler.

GPS tracking / telematics
Technology that tracks delivery truck locations to improve delivery timing and keep customers updated. Learn more

Invoice
A bill for delivered materials.

Job account
A separate account or sub-account set up for a specific construction project.
Builder’s Insight: Job accounts keep billing for each project separate and easier to track.

LBM (Lumber and Building Materials)
The industry made up of dealers that sell lumber, panels and building products, mostly to professional builders and contractors.

Lead time
The time between placing an order and receiving it. Special-order doors and windows can have lead times of weeks or months.
Builder’s Insight: Order long-lead items like windows early so they don't hold up dry-in.

Lien waiver
A document in which a supplier or contractor gives up lien rights on a property, usually in exchange for payment. Forms and requirements vary by state.
Builder’s Insight: Lenders and owners often require lien waivers before releasing draws or closing.

Lumber futures
Exchange-traded contracts that let buyers and sellers lock in future lumber prices; also watched as a signal of market direction.

Mechanic's / materialman's lien
A legal claim against a property by an unpaid contractor or supplier. Lien rights, notices and deadlines vary by state.
Builder’s Insight: Unpaid suppliers can file liens on the property, which can delay a closing.

Net 30
Payment terms meaning the full amount is due 30 days from the invoice date.

Notice to owner
A notice some states require suppliers or subcontractors to send to the property owner to preserve lien rights. Whether it's required, and its timing, vary by state.

Outside sales representative (OSR)
A supplier's salesperson who visits builders and jobsites and is your main point of contact for pricing and project needs.

Personal guarantee
An agreement by a business owner to personally pay a company debt if the business does not. Often part of a credit application.
Builder’s Insight: Read the guarantee section of any credit application before you sign.

PO (Purchase Order)
A document a buyer issues to authorize a purchase, often with a number that ties it to a job.
Builder’s Insight: Putting your PO number on orders makes invoices easier to match to jobs.

POD / ePOD (Proof of Delivery / Electronic Proof of Delivery)
Confirmation that an order was delivered, such as a signature, photo or GPS record. ePOD is the digital version. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: A delivery photo shows exactly where and in what condition materials were left.

Pro customer
A professional builder, contractor or remodeler who buys regularly on account.

Prox terms
Payment terms where the balance is due on a set day of the following month, such as the 10th ('10th prox'); common in the building materials industry.

Quote
A price offered for a specific list of materials, typically valid for a limited time because lumber and panel prices change often.
Builder’s Insight: Check how long the price is guaranteed before you lock in a bid with your customer.

Random Lengths (price report)
A long-running lumber and panel price-reporting service, now part of Fastmarkets, whose prices are a reference for many lumber trades. Its Framing Lumber Composite Price tracks overall framing lumber price movement.

Restocking fee
A charge for returning a non-defective item, especially a special order.
Builder’s Insight: Double-check special orders before you submit them.

RFQ / RFP (Request for Quote / Request for Proposal)
A formal request for pricing (RFQ) or for a full proposal (RFP) on a project.

RMA / returns (Return Merchandise Authorization)
The approval needed before returning an item.

Rooftop / second-story delivery
Delivering shingles or other materials directly onto a roof or upper floor with a boom truck or conveyor.

Sales tax exemption certificate
A form that allows a qualifying buyer, such as a reseller or exempt organization, to purchase without paying sales tax. Rules and forms vary by state.
Builder’s Insight: Get a current certificate on file before ordering if you qualify.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique code a supplier uses for each item it sells.
Builder’s Insight: Using SKUs on reorders helps you get the exact same product.

SO (Sales Order)
The supplier's record of what you ordered, used to pick, deliver and invoice your materials.
Builder’s Insight: Reference the sales order number when calling about an order.

Special order
A non-stock item ordered from a manufacturer for a specific customer or job; often non-returnable.
Builder’s Insight: Confirm sizes, handing and finishes carefully, since special orders often can't be returned.

Truck-mounted forklift (Moffett)
A forklift carried on the back of a delivery truck and used to unload on site. Moffett is a common brand, so the name is often used for the type.
Builder’s Insight: It can set materials farther onto a site than a truck alone.

Unit (lift) of lumber
A banded bundle of lumber of one size and length as it ships from the mill; pricing is sometimes better when you buy full units.

UOM (Unit of Measure)
How an item is counted or priced: each, piece, linear foot, MBF, square, box and so on.
Builder’s Insight: Check the unit of measure when comparing prices so you're comparing like for like.

Will call
An order you pick up at the supplier's yard instead of having it delivered.

Yard
A supplier's outdoor storage and loading area for lumber and building materials.

Wilson Lumber Services

Cost of Downtime Calculator
A free Wilson Lumber tool on wilsonlumber.net that estimates your operating and carrying-cost exposure for each delayed day, based on your team, overhead, active homes, annual closings and typical construction timeline. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: It puts a dollar figure on what late or incomplete deliveries cost your business.

Delivery Specialists
Wilson Lumber's uniformed delivery drivers, trained in safety and service. They place your materials in the location you request and clean up delivery-related debris before leaving your site. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Materials placed where your crew needs them means less handling and a cleaner jobsite.

Installation Made Easy
Wilson Lumber's installation offering, which uses experienced, certified installers so your crew can build faster with less stress.

Installed Doors
Wilson Lumber's exterior door service that runs from showroom selection to installation by Wilson's installation team, and the price quoted is all you pay. Currently offered in the Huntsville, Alabama region, not in Tennessee. Learn more

Journeys
Wilson Lumber's free delivery-tracking tool for customers. After logging in, you can see deliveries scheduled for the next three days and deliveries from the past seven business days in a list or map view.
Builder’s Insight: Seeing what's coming lets you line up crews and avoid surprises on site.

Moment of Truth
The step in Wilson Lumber's Proven Process when your order is loaded accurately, documentation is verified, and materials are delivered to your jobsite at the committed time and in the condition you expect. Learn more

Multifamily division
Wilson Lumber's team serving multifamily projects across the Southeast for more than 10 years, with estimators, designers, project managers and turnkey installers. Offerings include wood trusses, EWP, exterior and interior doors, windows, and trim and mouldings. Learn more

On Time In Full (OTIF)
A delivery measure for whether orders arrive complete and when promised. 'On time and in full in everything we do' is Wilson Lumber's stated guarantee.
Builder’s Insight: Partial or late deliveries leave crews waiting and push back schedules.

Pro-active Communication
Wilson Lumber's commitment to staying in close contact with you throughout your projects: regular, on-site review of your projects with your CMs; transparency about product availability and what we're seeing in the industry; and accessibility to Wilson's managers and owners. Drivers also leave a business card with your delivery paperwork, giving you direct access to Wilson's dispatcher and logistics manager. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: You hear about availability issues and market shifts early, while there's still time to adjust your schedule.

Proven Process
Wilson Lumber's four-step order process: Engage (review orders and confirm specifications), Provide (schedule, receive, build and triple-check quality), Moment of Truth (load, verify documentation and deliver), and Review (follow up and support fill-in needs).

Service Level Commitment
Wilson Lumber's commitment that its sales and delivery teams work with you to schedule your delivery and keep you informed of any changes. Learn more

Showroom
Wilson Lumber's showroom with about 200 products on display, where builders can bring their clients to select finishes with help from Showroom Specialists. Appointments are encouraged. Learn more
Builder’s Insight: Clients can see and choose products in person, which helps finalize selections.

Smart Technology
Wilson Lumber's delivery technology: every delivery vehicle has GPS Insight tracking to find the correct jobsite, and each delivery is photographed to verify the condition and location of materials. Learn more

Wilson product lines
Wilson Lumber's product categories: Lumber, Moulding & Millwork, Windows, Stairs, Doors, Trusses, Siding, Decks and Hardware. Learn more

Wilson Truss Plant
Wilson Lumber's truss plant in Madison, Alabama, which designs and builds floor and roof trusses using MiTek Sapphire software and machinery. Learn more

Industry Organizations

ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors)
A national trade association that mainly represents merit-shop (non-union) commercial contractors.

AGC (Associated General Contractors of America)
A national trade association for commercial construction contractors.

APA (APA - The Engineered Wood Association)
The association that sets standards for and inspects plywood, OSB, glulam and I-joists. Its stamp appears on structural panels.
Builder’s Insight: Inspectors look for the APA stamp to confirm a panel is rated for its use.

AWC (American Wood Council)
The association that develops wood design standards and engineering guidance referenced by building codes.

AWPA (American Wood Protection Association)
The organization that writes the standards for wood preservatives and treatment levels, including the Use Category (UC) system printed on treated-lumber tags.

HBA (Home Builders Association)
A local or state builders association affiliated with NAHB. In the Huntsville area this is the Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association (HMCBA).

HBAA (Home Builders Association of Alabama)
The statewide NAHB-affiliated builders association in Alabama.

IBS (International Builders' Show)
NAHB's annual national trade show for the residential construction industry.

ICC (International Code Council)
The organization that publishes the IRC, IBC and IECC model codes.

NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)
The national trade association for home builders; it publishes housing data and runs the International Builders' Show (IBS).

NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council)
The nonprofit that independently rates the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights. Its label shows U-factor, SHGC and other ratings.
Builder’s Insight: Use the NFRC label to confirm a window meets your energy code.

NLBMDA (National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association)
The national trade association representing lumber and building material dealers on legislative and regulatory issues.

SBCA (Structural Building Components Association)
The trade association for truss and wall panel manufacturers and their suppliers.

SFPA (Southern Forest Products Association)
The trade association for Southern Pine lumber manufacturers.

SLMA (Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association)
A trade association representing independent sawmills in the Southeast.

SPIB (Southern Pine Inspection Bureau)
The agency that writes the grading rules for Southern Pine lumber and supervises mills' grade stamps.

WMA (World Millwork Alliance)
The trade association for millwork distributors, manufacturers and dealers; formerly the Association of Millwork Distributors (AMD).

WWPA (Western Wood Products Association)
The association and grading agency for Western lumber species.

Have a question that isn't here?

Tell us what you're building. Wilson's team can help you sort out grades, treatment levels, sizes and lead times before you order.

Ask a Wilson Specialist

The Builder's Glossary

Speak the language of the jobsite