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Glossary of Home Building Terms



valley. The V-shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet; water drains off the roof at the valleys

valley flashing. Sheet metal that lays in the V-shaped area of a roof valley

valuation. An inspection carried out for the benefit of the mortgage lender to ascertain if a property is a good security for a loan

valuation fee. Th fee paid by the prospective borrower for the lender's inspection of the property; normally paid upon loan application

vapor barrier. A building product installed on exterior walls and ceilings under the drywall and on the warm side of the insulation; used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation within them; normally, polyethylene plastic sheeting is used

variable rate. An interest rate that will vary over the term of the loan

varnish. A thickened preparation of drying oil or drying oil and resin suitable for spreading on surfaces to form continuous, transparent coatings, or for mixing with pigments to make enamels

vehicle. The liquid portion of a finishing material; it consists of the binder (nonvolatile) and volatile thinners

veneer. Extremely thin sheets of wood. Also a thin slice of wood or brick or stone covering a framed wall

vent. A pipe or duct which allows the flow of air and gasses to the outside; also, another word for the moving glass part of a window sash, i.e. window vent

vermiculite. A mineral used as bulk insulation and also as aggregate in insulating and acoustical plaster and in insulating concrete floors

Veterans Administration (VA). A federal agency that insures mortgage loans with very liberal down payment requirements for honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses

visqueen. A four or six millimeter plastic sheeting

void. Cardboard rectangular boxes that are installed between the earth (between caissons) and the concrete foundation wall. Used when expansive soils are present

Volatile thinner. A liquid that evaporates readily and is used to thin or reduce the consistency of finishes without altering the relative volumes of pigment and nonvolatile vehicles

voltage. A measure of electrical potential; most homes are wired with 110 and 220 volt lines, with the 110-volt power used for lighting and most of the other circuits, and the 220-volt power used for the kitchen range, hot water heater and dryer

 


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