1. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Preparing the Construction Site –Clearing the Site: the site must be cleared of anything that would get in the way of the new construction (trees, old structures, rocks) ‏ Demolition: involves destroying a structure by tearing it down or blasting it with explosives. Earthmoving: excess earth and rock are cleared away and the remaining earth is leveled and smoothed –Laying Out the Site: the process of identifying and marking the exact location of the structure on the prop Batter Boards: boards held horizontally by stakes driven into the ground, placed 4 – 5 feet outside the building's boundary, with string used to connect the boards at opposite ends of the building, creating a building layout and guide for excavation.

3. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. The Foundation –Foundation: the part of the structure that rests on the earth and provides support for the superstructure (everything above ground). Usually made of concrete, the foundation sits either at or below ground level depending on the type of structure and climate. –Excavating for the Foundation: excavating, or digging, is done by heavy equipment. The size, shape, and depth of the excavation depends on the design of the building. –Parts of the Foundation Footing: the part of the structure below the foundation wall that distributes the structure's weight, it is usually twice as wide as the foundation wall.

5. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Types of Superstructures: Framed Structures: a framed structure has a main “skeleton” that supports the weight of the building and may be constructed of either concrete, steel, or wood. Studs: parallel, evenly spaced vertical boards that form the frame of exterior and interior walls, they are nailed to the top and bottom of horizontal boards called plates. Joists: parallel, evenly spaced horizontal boards that form the frames that support floors and ceilings. Rafters: sloping roof frame members that extend from the ridge (horizontal beam along a roof's peak) downward over the side walls of the building. Roof trusses are pre-assembled triangular frames that are used to frame the roof. Most residential houses are framed of wood, while large industrial and commercial buildings are framed with steel.

7. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Types of Superstructures: Load-Bearing Wall Structures: in these types of structures, the heavy walls support the weight of the structure and there is no frame or “skeleton.” –Enclosing the Superstructure Sheathing: a layer of material (plywood, strand board, or insulating board) that is placed between the framing and the finished exterior. After windows and doors are installed, decorative finish material (wood, brick, stucco, stone, or vinyl siding) are placed over the wall sheathing. –Installing Floors Sub-floor: plywood or or strand board that is nailed or glued to the floor joists and serves as a base for the finish floor. Underlayment: an additional layer of plywood that is nailed or glued to the sub-floor before the finished floor is applied.

11. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Installing Utilities: Utilities: refers to service systems in the building, such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Installed in two (2) phases: Roughing In: wires, pipes, electrical boxes, and HVAC ducts are placed inside the interior walls, ceilings, and floors before the interior surfaces are enclosed. Devicing Out: Light switches, outlets, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and temperature controls are installed after the interior walls are enclosed.

13. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Installing Insulation: insulation is material applied to walls and ceilings to keep heat from entering the building during warm months and to keep cold from entering during cold months. Insulating materials are rated based on their “R” value. The higher the “R” value, the better the insulating qualities. Batts or Blankets: thick fiberglass sheets or rolls with a foil or paper backing that are designed to fit snugly between framing members (joists and/or studs) ‏ Rigid Panels: large sheets of plastic foam or natural fibers. Loose Fill: fibrous or granular material that is blown into place using a special hose

15. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Finishing the Interior: Ceilings and Walls: most walls and ceilings are enclosed with drywall (plasterboard or wallboard), a rigid heavy sheet material, that is fastened directly to the studs and joists. Floor Coverings: Finish flooring is usually installed over the underlayment after the walls and ceiling shave been finished and may include carpeting, tile, sheet vinyl, or wood. Trim and other Finish Work: trim is the woodwork, baseboards, chair rail, crown molding, and other molding used to cover the joints where ceiling, walls, and floors meet. Trim is also applied around doors and windows.

18. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Prefabricated Structures: structures where components of the structure and even whole structures are built in a factory and shipped to a job site, where they are assembled. Panelized Construction: the floors, walls, and roof all consist of prefabricated panels made in factories and shipped to the construction site, where they are assembled to produce the frame and sheathed shell of the structure. Modular Construction: entire units (or modules) are built in factories and shipped to the site, where they are assembled into a finished structure. These modules come complete with all utilities pre-assembled within the module where they are hooked together with quick-disconnect couplings.

20. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Prefabricated Structures: structures where components of the structure and even whole structures are built in a factory and shipped to a job site, where they are assembled. Manufactured Housing: single-family houses that are completely manufactured in factories and shipped to the site. They are usually built in two or more sections to produce a finished structure. –Finishing the Site Paving: several areas (driveways, walkways, garages, parking lots, etc.) have to be paved with either concrete or asphalt. Landscaping: changing the features of a site to make it more attractive (plants, trees, bushes, sod, etc.) ‏

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23. CONSTRUCTING HOMES & OTHER BLDGS. Building the Superstructure –Transferring the Project: the last step in the construction process. After construction is complete, a final inspection is performed and a “CO” or Certificate of Occupancy is awarded to the owner and the owner takes official possession of the structure.