Glossary

Header: A beam of wood placed perpendicular to joists and to which joists are nailed in order to accommodate an opening such as a staircase through a floor or a window opening in a wall.

Hearth: The inner floor of a fireplace, usually made of firebrick, stone or tiles.

Hip roof: A type of roof formed by sloping roof planes on all four sides, with no gables.

Hip shingles: Shingles used to cover the inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Heat pump: A device which uses compression and decompression of gas to heat and/or cool a house.

Hollow core door: A door composed of sheets of thin material with a hollow core that has been filled with a stiffening material. As opposed to a solid core door which is made of a solid material throughout.

Hose bib: A water tap or facet with a treaded end that enables a hose to be attached.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning.